Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-03-06
The Presidents SDeech.

At an immense mass meeting held In Wash
ington Thursday, February, the 22nd, at which
were present the conservative leaders Of both
parties and from all parts of the country, Presi-
dent Johnson policy of restoration was most
enthusiastically endorsed by resolutions and
speeches. The resolutions adopted were carried
to the White House and presented to the Presi-
dent. In reply to them and the tremendous
concourse Of people that were present, he thus
spoke:
Fellow-citizens-for [ presume that I have
the right to address you as such-and to the
committee who have conducted or organized
this meeting so far. [ have to tender my sincere
thanks for the compliment and appreciation ma
infested in their personal address to myself and
in the resolutions they have adopted
A firemen' S procession passing at this point
caused some confusion. When it had subsided
the President resumed:
Fellow citizens, / was about to tender my
thanks to the committee who waited upon me
and presented me with the resolutions adopted
Oh this occasion resolutions, as [ understand,
complimentary to the policy pursued by this ad
ministration since it came into power [ am
free to say to you on this occasion that it is ex
tremely gratifying to know that SO large a por-
ton of my fellOW-citizens approve and endorse
the policy that has been adopted and is intend
ed to be carried out. Applause.
This policy has been one which was intended
to restore the glorious Union--to bring those
great States, now the subject of controversy, to
their original relations to the Government of
the United States. And this seems to be a day
peculiarly appropriate for such a manifestation
as this-the day that gave birth to him who
founded the Government-that gave birth to
the father Of our country-that gave birth to
him who stood at the portal when all these
States entered into this glorious confederacy.-
I say that the day is peculiarly appropriate to
the endorsement Of measures for the restoration
of the Union that was founded by the father of
his country Washington, whose name this
city bears, is embalmed in the hearts Of all who
love their Government. A voice, s'Sois Andy
Johnson and applause Washington, in the
language OF his euloglsts, was first IN peace hrst
in war, and first in the hearts Of his country
men, No people can claim him-no nation can
appropriate him. His eminence is acknoWl-
edged throughout the civilized world by all those
who love free government | have had the
pleasure of a visit from the association which
has been directing its efforts towards the COM
pleti0n OF monument erected to his name. l
was prepared to meet them and give them my
humble influence and countenance in aid of the
work. Let the monument be erected to him
who founded the Government, and that almost
within the throw Of stone from the spot from
which [ now address you. Let it be completed
/ ApplduSc. 1LcG Illc p1CuSoS WHICH, oti1 lIcSC
States and corporations and associations have
put in that monument be preserved as an earn
est of our faith in and love of this Union, and
let the monument be completed. And in con-
nection with Washington, in speaking Of the
pledges that have been placed in that monu-
ment, let me refer to one from my own State
God bless her-which has struggled for the
preservation of this Union in the fields and in
the councils of the nation. Let me repeat that
she is now struggling in consequence of an inno-
vation that has taken place in regard to her re-
lations with the Federal Government, growing
out of the rebelion-she is now struggling to
renew her relations with this Government, and
take the stand which she had occupied since
1896. Let me repeat the sentiment which that
State inscribed upon her stone that is deposited
within the monument Of freedom and In COM
memoration of Washington; she is struggling
to stand by the sentiment inscribed on that
stone and she is now willing to maintain that
sentiment. And what is the sentiment? It is
the sentiment which was enunciated by the i'm
mortal and the illustrious jackson, The Fede-
raj Upions it must be preserved. Cheers |
Were it possible for that old man, who in sta
tue is before me and portrait behind me, to be
called forth-were it possible to communicate
with the illustrious dead, and he could be in
formed Of the progress in the work of faction,
and rebellion and treason-that old man would
turn over in his coffin, he would rise, shake off
the habiliment of the tomb, and again extend
that long arm and finger and reiterate the senti-