Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1866-02-13
President JOHNEoNsS REPLY TO
TIE MONTANA DELEGATION.
An ExPiOsiOn Of EIIs Views and Policy.

A large number Of citizens of Montan'
Territory, now in Washington, calieC
upon the President on Wednesday. Mr.
| Penny, q. S. Marshal for the Territory
made brief address, in which he as
sured the President that the people o.
Montana indorsed the principles enunci-
ated in his message TO Congress, and
trusted that his policy would meet with
a cordial and generous support on every
hand. To this the President replied as
follows;
/ Gentlemen: Ii is no ordinary pleasure
/ to me to meet you here on this occasion,
and to hear the sentiments you have ad-
vocated. To receive so large and respect
able a body Of intelligent gentlemen from
that region of country from which you
come, is highly gratifying to me. In re-
sponse. sir, addressing Mr.. Penny, 10
the eloquent manner in which you eX-
pressed the sentiments Of those whom
you represent, 1 might content myself
with simply returning my thanks Tor
your kind expressions. But you nave
made some illusions to which under the
circumstances surrounding Us, cannot
NE luAAAEEtnL. GU nave ilAhANl u NAAC
great principles of our Government hav-
ing been enunciated In d paper sent
short time since to the Congress Of the
United States The declaration by me
Of those principles was not the result Of
impulse. it was the result Of great
thorough and calm consideration Of those
great truths. IL would be folly TO take
hold Of a piece of MACHINERY that bad /
been constructed and trained to run har- /
mOniOusly in one direction, and attempt /
by reverse action to run it in an opposite |
l say no one can mistake the .
doctrine Of that message.
It is very easy for persons to misrepre- /
sent il and to make assertions-this, that /
or the other has taken place-but I think |
[ may be permitted TO say 70 you on this
occasion, taking all my sntecedents, go
ng back TO my advent into public life,
aud down to the present time, the cardi-
nal doctrines set forth in that paper have
been my constant guide. After having
zone so far il is too late 10 turn and take
4 different direction. They will be my
guide from this time onward, and those
gho understand them may know where
shall always be found when principle
5 involved.
Here let me say TO you, in order 10 dis
E
IDLE for an individual to do so, that MY
,ublic career is Wen nigh done. The
and Of my political glass has well nigh
an out; ii 1 were disposed 10 refer 70
myself, ! might trace my career back TO [
he log cabin, then an alderman and !
mayor in a village, then through both
ouses Of the Legislature, then for ten {
onsecutive years in the National House I
Representative, then through the 5
chair to the Senate of the q
-nited States, then Provisional Gov !
rnOr with slight participation in mill 1
ary affairs, then Vice President, and O
ow ID the position I occupy before YOU. / u
III can be instrumental in restoring 5
be Government of the United States, I'm h
storing 20 their true relative position in q
le Union those States whose relations il
the National Government have been q
II 8 time interrupted by one Of the most !,
gantic rebelliOns that ever occurred, so W
iat we can proclaim once more that we =.
'o a united people, shall feel that the p
easure of my ambition has been filled
I'd filed to OvertlOWing. -
On this point, if there be any who are
lvious and Jealous Of honor and posi- W
)n, shall be prepared TO make them al
lite bow and thank them to take the
ace occupied by me, as my mission Will
I'VE been fulfilled. In saying this, in
e performance of my duty, and in re-
onse 10 the encouragement you have
ven me, feel that ] am in no condi- Ii
"a to be arrogant nor 10 feel imperious.
| feel that ! can afford to 60 forth, and
feeling, God being willing, / intend to
right and so far as in me lies, ! intend :.
administer this Government on the "a
inciples that lie at the foundation of
AN inform all aspirants, who are try
2 to form their combinations for the
e purpose, and another for another,
1T they are not in my way am not r
andidate for any position, hence I re-
at l can afford TO do right