The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-24
From the National Intelligencer.
Revival OF Principle in National Politics
Great speech OF President johnson.


Crea, speech OF President johnson.
x.s,ora,v was a grand and memorable day
q, ,his city to the residents of this District.
- A. an early period in the morning, notwith-
.ana;ng the muddy state of the walking,
throncs were moving on every street anu ave-
nne and long before noon, the designated hour
1,r ,be organization of the assemblage the
r,.sses were flowing in tides into the broad
entrance 10 Growers Theatre, which was soon
densely packed in all its parts, while the
streets and avenues outside We're literally filled
from side 10 side with the moving throng.
Itwas magnificent spectacle.
The view from the stage Of the immense
audience inside the theatre, piled rs they
were strong, earnest, and intelligent men,
tier above tier 10 the very roof, was indescri-
lrbly imposing. There were very few ladies
present, and quite as few boys. The space
was packed with men. and their faces told
YOU that they were there for no trifiing pur-
poses; and very noticeable incident OF the
occasion was the entrance, shortly after the
meeting was called TO order, OF large dele
CATION Of the Oldest Inhabitants, a dignihed
and venerable body, who, with the Mayor OF
the city 1t their head, were conducted 10 seats
reserved for them in the gallery.
ON the procession reaching the Executive
Mansion. where an immense crowd had pre-
crded il, Mr. FendaH, the President of the
meeting and the following gentlemen of the
committee, viz: Messrs William L. Hodge
Dr. john Il. Blake, Charles Knap, James G
Rerret j. ID. Hoover, Thomas B. Florence, Z.
Wendell, Joseph III. Bradley, ]. 9. Mcclure,
ward IL. Lamon, Augustus T.. Perry, John
L. Coyie, and William 4. Spalding, presented
10 the President the resolutions which had
passed the meeting, with a brief and pertinent
address from Mr.. Fendall, in which he in
formed him that the assembly had adjourned
10 the Presidential Mansion to pay their re-
spects 10 him. The President was then form
ally conducted by Mr.. Fendall and the gentle
men named above, accompanied by Colonel
O'Beirne, Colonel Reeves, and others OF his
household, TO the front portico, from whence
silence having been obtained in the vast assem-
blage through the efforts of the Hon. Green
Ilay Smith who stood with the Presldent-he
addressed them substantially as follows
After returning his thanks to the committee
with the resolutions which had been adopted,
the President said The resolutions, as un-
derstand them, are complimentary OF the
policy which has been adopted and pursued by
the Administration since it came into power.
/ am free 10 say to you on this occasion that II
is extremely gratifying TO me to know that SO
large portion of our fellow citizens endorse
the policy which has been adopted, and which
is intended TO be carried out. lIrett ap'
plause.l
This policy has been one which was intended
10 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 TINS seems 10 De
day peculiarly appropriate for such mani
festation rs this-the day that gave birth TO
him who founded the GoSernment-tnat 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 Con1eae-
racy. j say that the day is peculiarly appro-
priate TO the endorsement OF measures 1or the
restoration of the Union that was founded by
the Father of his Country. Washington,
whose name this city bears, Is emoalnea IN tne
hearts of all who love their Government. Ia
voice " So is Andy Johnson, anu applause
Washington. in the language OF his euioglsts,
was first in peace, first in war and hrst In the
hearts Of his countrymen. NO people can
claim him-no nation can appropriate nliIi
His eminence is acknowledged throughout the
civilized world by all those who love Tree
government. / have had the pleasure OF q
visit from the association which mas been
directing its efforts towards the co1hple.on ,o %
:; monument erected TO his name. was pre-
pared TO meet them and give them my humDle
Influence and countenancel In ald OF the "orh.
Let the monument be erected 10 MIN VINO
founded the Government, and tnat annost
within the throw of a stone from the spot from
which l now address you. Letit be completed.
IApplause.l Let the pledges which all these
States and corporations ana associaliohs naNe
pat in that monument be preserved as an earn
est of our faith in, and love OF, lnls Union,
and let the monument be completed ana IN
connection with Washington, in speaking Oh
the pledges that have been placed III that mon
ument let me refer 10 one from my own state
God bless her which has struggled 1or the
preservation of this Union III the Held ana In the
councils of the nation. Lex me repeat tnat sne Is
now struggling in consequence OF an innovation
that has taken place in regard to her relation
with the Federal Government, q growing out OF
the rebellion-she is now struggling TO renew
her relations with this Government, ana take
the stand which she had occupied since 1870.
Let me repeat the sentiment Wnlch that
State inscribed upon her stone that is deposited
within the monument of freedom and In COM
memoratiou of Washington; she is struggling
TO stand by the sentiment inscribed on that
stone and she is now willing TO malnIsisn Lhat
sentiment. And what is the sentiment us
the sentiment which was enunciated py the
Immortal and iiustrious Jackson" Inc + ede,
raj Union, it must be preserved. loheels'I
Were il possible for that old man, VINO III
statue is before me, and ia portrait behind me,
10 be called forth-were it possible 10 commu,
nicate with the illustrious dead, and ne couid
be informed OF the progress In the Work oi lac
ton, and rebellion, and treason--that old man
would turn over in his collin, he would rise
shake off the habilments of the tomb, and again
extend that long arm and nnger ana Ieiterate
the sentiment before enunciated-" the eaeral
Union, it must be preserved" [Cheers.l Butw
witness what has transpired since ms DAY. we
remember what he said in 1883. When Urea
son, and treachery, and in1idehty 10 tne
Government and the Constitution OF the Cni
ted States stalked forth, it was his power and
influence that went forth and crushed IL IN lls
iacipiency. 1T was then stopped. But IL was
only stopped for time, and the spirit CON
tinued. There were men disaflected TOWARDS
the Government in both the North and Soutn.
There We're peculiar institutions in the coun-
try 10 which some were adverse ana others
attached We find that one portion OF our
countrymen advocated an institution in the
South which others opposed in the Nortn.
This resulted in two extremes. Ihat IN lne
South reached point AZ which the people
there were disposed TO dissolve the Govern
mcnt o. the United States, and they sought TO
preserve their peculiar institutions. tWhat
say on this occasion want to be understood.)
There was portion of our countrymen
opposed 10 this, and they went to1hat extreme
tuat they were willing TO break up the Co.
yernment TO destroy this peculiar institution
Of the South.
l assume nothing here to-day but the citi-
Zan-one Of you--who has been pleading foS
his country and the preservation OF the Con-
stitution. ICheers.l These two parties have
been arrayed against each other, and stand
before YOU as did in the Senate OF the United
States in 1860. denounced there those who
wanted 10 disrupt the Government, and l
portrayed their true character. told them
that those who were engaged In the effort 10
break up the Government were TRAITORS.
have not ceased 10 repeat that, and, us lar as
endeavor could accomplish 1T, TO carry OUT tne
sentiment [Cheers.J / remarked, rhougn,
tina. there were two parties. One wouid
destroy the Government 10 preserve slavery
the other would break up the Government 70
destroy slavery [Cheers.l The op)ec's 70 e 90
tUora diffprgnt. 1t Is TRUE, 30 iui