Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-03-02
GREAT SPEECH OF PRESIDENT JOHNSON.


in Washington. met in Growers Theater Oh
the ODD. ult, and, after listening to num-
bcrssa speeches from distinguished speakers,
passed series of patriotic resolutions, en-
deEsing President Johnson course, which,
beng presented to him the same evening, elic-
.ited the following response:
Fellow-citizens-for presume have the
right to address you as such-to the COM
1nittee who have conducted and organized
this meeting far, [ have to tender my sim
..cera thanks for the compliment and approEa-
ton they have manifested in their personal
address to myself, and in the resolutions they
have adopted. | am free to say to you, Oh
THIS occasion, that it is extremely gratifying
to ME to know that so large portion of my
fcllow-citizens approve and endorse the policy
that has been adopted and is intended to be
carried out. Applause. That policy has
boen one which was intended to restore the
glorious Union Of these States to their origi-
mai relations to the Government of the United
States. Prolonged applause.
Thisseems to be a day peculiarly appro-
pirate to endorse the restoration fthe Union
of these States, founded by ''the Father of his
Country. Washington, whose name this city
bears, is embalmed in the hearts of all who
love free government, A voice, $50 is An
drew Johnson Washington, who, in the
language of one Of his eulogists, was FIRST in
peace, first in war, first in the hearts of his
countrymen." No people can claim him, no
nation can appropriate him. His reputation
and love are commensurate with the civilized
world, with all those who love free govern
ment. I have recently visited the associa-
sion which is directing it's efforts to the COM
pletion of the monument erected to his men,
DRY. was proud to meet them, and, SO far
as [ could. to give them my humble infu-
ence and patronage monument being
erected to him who founded the government
almost within stones throw of the spot from
which [ address you. Let it be completed.
Cheers. Let the pledges which all these
States, associations, and corporations have
placed in that monument of their faith in and
love for this Union be preserved. Let it be
completed And in this connection let me re-
fer to the motto upon the stone sent from my
own States-God bless her "a voice, and
bless you "a State which has struggled for
the preservation of the Union in the field and
in the councils Of the nation, now struggling
in embarrassment in consequence of the in
terruption that has taken place with Federal
Government growing out of the rebellion, but
struggling to renew her relations with the
Government, and take her stand where she
has stood since 1896. TCheering.1 Let me, I
say, repeat the sentiment inscribed upon the
stone sent here to be placed in that monu-
ment of freedom and in commemolation of
Washington. | stand by that sentiment and
she is now willing to stand by it. twas the
sentiment enumerated by the immortal An
drew jackson, 1.-The Federal Union-it must
be preserved" Were it possible for that old
man, who in statute is now before me, and in
picture behind me, in the Capitol, to be called
forth, or were it possible for us to ccmmuni-
cate with the illustrious dead, and he could
,be'informed Of or made to understand the
progress and working of faction, rebellion,
and treason, the old man would turn over in
his grave Laughter and cheers. He
would rise, and, shaking off the habiliments
of the tomb, stand erect, and extending his
long, bony finger, would reiterate the senti-
mcnt he once spoke: 1.-The Federal Union,
it must be preserved"
But We see and witness what has transpired
since his day. We remember what he did
in 1923, when treason, treachery, and inf
deity to the Government and Constitution of
the United States then stalked forth. 1t was
his power and influence that went forth then
ana crushed the treason in its infancy. 1t
was then stopped, but only for time. The
spirit continued there were men disaffected
TO the Government both North and South
We had peculiar institutions Of which some
complained and to which others were attached
One portion Of our countrymen advocated
that Institution in the South, another opposed
it in the North, and it resulted in creating
two extremes. One in the South reached
the point at which they were preporc to dis
solve the Government of the United States,
TO secure and preserve their peculiar insti-
tuition" And in what may say on this oc-
causlon | want to be understood. There
was another portion of our countrymen who
were opposed to this peculiar institution in the
South, and whe went to the extreme of being
willing to break up the Government to get
clear of it, Applause. am talking to
to-day in the common phrase, and assume to
be nothing but q citizen, and one who has
been fighting for the Constitution and to pre-
serve the Government. These two parties
have been arrayed against each other; and
stand before you to-day, as I did in the Sen
ate In 1860, in the presence of those who
were making war on the Constitution, and
who wanted to disrupt the Government, to
denounce as | did then in my place, those
who were so engaged as traitors. + have
never ceased to repeat, and as far as efforts
could 60 to carry out, the sentiments I then
uttered. Cheers.
remarked that there were two parties,
one fol. destroying the government to preserve
slavery, and the other for breaking up the
government to destroy slavery. The objects
to be accomplished were different. it is true,
so far as slavery is concerned, but they agreed
IN one thing, and that was the breaking up
of the government. They agreed in the de-
struction of the government, the precise thing
which | have always stood up to oppose. -
Whether the disunionist comes from the Sout!,
or the North | stand now where did tl,e,,