The Van Buren press., 1866-04-28
The Presidents Last Speech.

a procession OF soldiers, sailors and citlI
zens on the 18th inst, and in respOnseto
an address from them, he reiterated his
determination to pursue the course he
had marked out for the restoration ofthe
Southern States, and to stand by the !.
Constitution, as construed by Jefferson.
He appeals to the citizens, soldiers and
sailors for support. We give portion
of the address below:
WASHINGTON, April Is.
In reply to crowd of soldiers and sailors
assembled at the White House, this evening,
to pay their respects to President Johnson, he
said:
Il confess that in the peculiar posture OF
public affairs, your presence and address,
gives encouragement and confidence to me in
my efforts to discharge the duties incumbent
OH me- the Chief Magistrate of the Republic,
and in what | have to say, shall address you
| in the character Of citizens, sailors and SOL
derS.
I'VE are to-day, involved in one of the
most critical and trying situations that has
occurred since the government came into
istence. The nation has another test still to
undergo, and that is to give evir to the
nations OF the earth, and to its own citizens
| that it has power to restore internal peace
that it las strength enough to put down trea
cherry and treason within its own borders. We
have commenced an ordeal, and | trust, in
God, we may pass through it successfully.
feel complnented by allusiOn to one presen-
tation of the fact, that in 81 and '62 when the
nation was entering on this ordeal, raised my
hands against traitors, treason and treachery.
stand here, to-day, as then stood, using all
my power, both mental and physical. to pre-
serve the nation in going through the third
phase OF its existence.
The organized forces and combined powers
that recently stood arrayed against us, are dis
banded and driven from the field, but it does
not follow that there are still no enemies to
our present form of Government and our free
institutions. | then stood in the Senate de-
nying the doctrine Of secession. | denied
then, as do now, that any State has a right
of its own will, to separate itself from the
other States and right to destroy the Union
and break up the Government. | think that
have given some evidence that have been
) sincere and earnest, and now | want to know
why it is that the whole train of slanderers
t and calumniators have been barking and
swapping at my heels. Why is it that they
have arrayed themselves against me-?
1T is beca, Sc | stood on the side of the peo-
pie, and when isay people. include soldiers
and sailors. Why is it that theySare arrayed
, in traducing and falsifying and calumniating
, me? Where were they during the rebellion
!; Just ended! answer at home in bed. In the
, South raised my voice against it, and when
it was believed thati would be to the interest
, of the nation. and would assist in putting
down the rebellion, then did leave my place
: in the Senate-a place of emOlument care and
: distinction-and took my position where the
} enemy could be reached, and where mems
t lives were in danger. | was thus exposed.
5 personally and publicly. Some of my pres
: ent traducerS and calumniators were far re-
moved from the scenes OF war, and were en-
: ioying home and its comforts. But care not
: for them. | care not that slander, the foul
G whelp OF sin, has been turned against me. |
care net for all that they may tell you here to-
day-although pretty well advanced in life, |
feel that | shall live long enough to live down
the whole pack Of traducers and slanderers
S They have turned the whole pack loose to
e lower ine in your estimation. Verify. they
, can't do it. Troy Blanche and Sweetheart
little dogs and all, come along, swapping and
snarling at my heels-but l need them not
The American people, citizens, soldiers anC
{ sailors, know that from my advent into pub
9 lie life to the present moment, | have always
stood unwaveringly the advocate and defend.
S er of their rights and interests. We are now
n in the nations third ordeal-we are not ye,
: thrOugh-we denied that the States. could &C
out of the Union-we denied the doctrine OF
; secession, and we have demonstrated it by
IS strong armies. Yes, the soldiers and sailors
d God bless them, have demonstrated by thei
II patriotism and strong arms-that the States
;, have not the power to leave the Union. Tnt
II Confederate Armies were overpowered anC
: disbanded and there was a willingness on tin
s part of the people ofthose States to come bacl
, in obedience to the laws. and acknowledge tn
> supremacy of the Constitution of our fathers
For what have we passed through this ordeal
1t was to prove the principle that no State hat
/. the power to break up the Government
>, was to put down rebellion. Rebellion ha
- been put down and for what? Was it to de
u stroy the States? Verify never For wha
e. have all these lives been sacrificed, and all thi
{. treasure expended? Was it for the purpos
,e of destroying States? No! it was for tn
. purpose of preserving the Union of the States
l. That is what we have been contending fol
and to establish the fact that this Nation ca
lift its own head above and beyond interns
=. wars and treason and traitors at home Whe
. the rebellion in Massachusetts, was put dOwl
l. did that put Massachusetts out Of the UniOl
]. and destroy that State? When rebellion i
10 Pennsylvania was put down, did that destro
y the State, and put it out of the Union? 81
/ when the great rebellion was put down an
)" the Constitution and laws Of the country re
stored to the States engaged in the rebellion
it being crushed, and the law restored an
Constitution acknowledged in them they stoo
IL in the Union and Constitutional portion G
sc this glorious and bright galaxy Of States.
IS
Wbi1n | have hnnn cOntnp1ir IN CT t,n;