Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-05-17

this house TO live IN, and I do not care 8
hawbee, as the Scotch say, for all the rest.
Let me but see the country at harmony
and peace, and how gladly wouldI give
up ALL I suppose I may say that ! have
done enough to satisfy any reasonable
ambition, and feel that my race is well
nigh run. These men want power; I
have enough, and am Indifferent to what
1 have. We think"-he said these words
with a smile-"we think this a great posi-
ton, with our ideas-we are educated to
do so; but 1 can assure you that l am
often here II hours a day without it ever
occurring to me that | am President
He evidently meant, without the PRIDE of
power occurring to him.
"These men" he also said, shave raised
the cry of mad dog at me, and the peo-
pie seem to be getting afraid. They will
understand me better by-and-by, and un-
derstsnd these men too. l could not ex-
pect 10 get through without a struggle
Yet it was most extraordinary, he con-
tinued, to think Of the course which
"these mem were pursuing. By being
united again the country would stand re-
speeted in the eyes of the world. 1t was
NV AaDOA LIZ 1l0Cl Nv CNll5 U al lluhbtu
currency, and while trade is restricted by
the South being kept in uncertainty-an
element of danger in the State-such evils
could not be corrected. Yet there were
signs that people were beginning to be
alive to the truth. "Look st Peoriah-
and other towns where meetings in sup
port of the Presidents policy have lately
been held since the passage of the Civil
Rights bill. at is like water trickling
along the ground" said Mr.. johnson.
"You can see the damp places here and
there, and you know it will gradually
spread. 1t viii take time, but after all,
what good can be accomplished without
trial and difficulty If l fail, my regret
will not be for myself l will hope that
some one wiser will riseup to do the work.
The President uttered these words in a
somewhat weary and sad, but very earn
est tone. He continued with greater ami
nation Ny convictions are firm and
strong, and strong convictions are a great
souree-the best source-of courage to q
man. 1 have fought disunion nearly all
round the circle and if I am called upon
to complete the circle l will. Then I
could say most heartily that I would that
L cOulu IN peace
Such, so far as l feel at liberty to repeat
them, were the remarks made by the Pres
ident. L believe l have repeated his very
words in most instances, but there were
many illusions which he employed which
1 am unable to recall, and in a converse
ton of nearly W ohours there must neces-
sarily be a greatdeal which 1 cannot pre-
tend to remember with sufficient accuracy
to repeat. That the President is as firm
and mistaken as ever, it is impossible to
doubt after listening to him. he relies
upon the good sense ofthe people to bring
the present crisis to q favorable end; but
it is clear that he has no personal objects
to serve. He told one Of the most distin-
guished Of American politicians yesterday,
as he told me on Thursday, that he will
never be a candidate for the Presidency
again. 1 will only add that the President
looked better in health than when I saw
him some months ago, and that he speaks
with great clearness, force and sbility,and
brings to bear on the subject upon which
he is talking many very suggestive and
felicitous figures and illustrations.