Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-05-25
Speeches of President Johnson. Seward
Welles, Stanton and McCulloch.

WASHINGTON, May Z5.-lhe fresldent
and members of the Cabinet were sere-
naded tonight by the National Union
Club, attended by large concourse of
citizens The President said;
FELLOW c IrIzESs Such appreciation
is peculiarly gratifying and encouraging
to me under existing circumstances. All
that will be necessary is to persist in
the support and the maintenance of cor
rect principles, and the day is not dis
tant when the American people will sat
isfy you that the good work you have
commenced is right, as it will SO prove
in the end. [Cheers.l | repeat my
thanks for your appreciation of my con-
duct as public man and public SER
want.
The President then retired amidst
hearty applause. u1
The party next proceeded to the resi-
dence of the Secretary of State In the
absence of Mr. Seward, the compliment
was acknowledged by Mr.. Frederick
Seward, who said: -
Fellow-citizens-In behalf Of the Sec
rotary of State thank you sincerely for
this manifestation of your kindness. |
regret that the Secretary is not here to-
night, for | am sure that it would give
him pleasure to witness and share in
your demonstrations of patriotic feeling
and fidelity to the Union, and the earnest
efforts of the President for its restora-
ton. Cheers 't'f'
The Secretary of the Navy was next
called npon. In acknowledgment of the
compliment, Mr.. Welles said thank
you for this compliment, which / sup
pose is to the Administration and its
policy, which we, one and all, approve.
| (Cheers.) You need not expect any re-
marks from me, for | do not intend to
make any. You are one and all for the
Union, | suppose, and for the establish
ment of the rights of TIE States.
| (Cheers) These are my views CHEERS.
The Secretary of War was next called
| upon, the band playing Rally Round
the Flag" " When Johnny Comes Msrch-
ing Home, and other airs.
THE speech Of Mr. Stanton would oc-
cupy two columns of the LEDGER, and
is necessarily omitted
The Secretary of the Treasury was next
| called on. Mr.. McCulloch said;
Fellow citizens-My position in, refe-
renee TO the issues which are now en-
gazing the public attention are not,
| apprehend, misunderstood " you.
| Cheers will say, therefore-as | sup
| pose | must say something on this occa-
sion-that the general policy Of the Pres
| ident in reference TO the Southern States
| and the people recently in arms against
the Federal Government, has commen-
ded itself to my deliberate judgment,
| tcheers) and, although 1t has been vio-
| lently and in some instances yindictlvely
assailed, I have an abiding conviction
that it will be approved by the people
when they shall be allowed TO pass judg
ment upon IT. 4l
| suppose, gentlemen, that none OF us
expected that, at the close OF this gresi
war, in which much bad blood was ex
cited, and more good blood was shed
we should have bright and calm
skies. We anticipated that at the
close Of this war great questions
would come up for settlement, th'
discussion of which would be likely
10 agtate this country, to shake d
| from centre TO circumference but
we knew also that the people had moi
been wanting in any previous emergency
and we had confidence they would b
prepared 20 come with and settle salts
factorily any questions that might b
presented. Applause. That faith i
strong with us now. We have faith u
the people and faith in that good Prov
dence which, having led this natior
1hrough the Red Sea Of battle, IS no
likely TO desert it now that the dreadiu
passage has been accomplished.
Me Presidents policy is straightior
ward, Ineligible, practical, and no bet
ter policy can be presented-one NOR
in eonsonance with the principles OF th'
Government, better calculated TO pre-
serve the supremacy Of the Federal su
thority, while il trenches not on the re
served and legitimate rights OF tn
I States