Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-03-01
GREAT SPEECH
PHEsID ENT JOHN son

~
| We publish below, the great speech of Presl-
dent Johnson at the mass meeting on the 22nd
of February.
| On the procession reaching the Executive Man
sion, where an immense crowd had preceded it.
Mr. Fendall, the President of the meeting presen-
ted to the President the resolutions which had
passed the meeting, with brief and pcrtinet ad
Dress in which he informed him that the assembly
had adjourned to the Presidential Mansion to pay
their respects to him. The President was then
formally conducted to the front portico from
whence-silence having been obtained iii the vast
assemblage, he addressed them substantially rs
follows:
THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH.
| low-citizens-for presume have a right to
address YOU as such--to the committee who have
conducted and organized this meeting SO far,
| have TO tender my sincere thanks for the compI
iment and appreciation they have manifested i'll
their personal address to myself and in the reso-
lutions they have adopted. At this point fire.
mans procession attracted the attention of a por-
| ton of the crowd, and created such disturbance
that the President was unable to proceed for seve
raj minutes. Mr.. Fendall, chairman of the COM
mittee in vain endeavored to restore order. Hon.
Green Clay Smith then took the stand and sue
ceeded in making himself heard, and in bringing
the crowd to something like silence. The Presi
dent proceeded:
| Fellow-citizens, was about to tender my thanks
to the committee who waited upon me and pre-
sented me with the resolutions adopted on this
occasion resolutions, as [ understand compli-
mentary to the policy pursued by this Admins
tration since it came into power. [ am free to
say to you, on this occasion, that it is extremely
gratifying TO to know that so large portion OF
my fellow-citizens approve and endorse the policy
that has been adopted and is intended to be car
ried out. ApplauSe. That policy has been one
which intended to restore the glorious Union
of these States to their original relations to the
Government of the United States. Prolonged
applause.
wAsHlNGTOS's DAY
This seems to be day peculiarly appropriate
for such nlanfestation-the day that gave birth
to him who founded this Government--theF Father
of his Country-of him who stood at that period,
when all these States entered into this glorious
Confederacy-lT The tire-men's procession again
succeeded in creating sufficient disturbance to
make the President unable to be heard. The
President good humoredly remarked Don't in
terfere with them, they right, and always were
tight"
He proceeded: This day, say, is peculiarly APP
propriate to endorse the restoration of the Union
of these States, founded by the Father of his
| Country" Washington, whose nalne this city
bears, IL embalmed in the hearts of all wholove
free government. 4 voice, $50 is Andrew john
son. Washington, who, i'll the language of one
of his eulogists, was first III peace, first in war,
| first in the hearts of his countrymen." No peo-
His reputation and love commensurate with
the civilized world, with all those who love free
government. [ have recently visited the associa-
ton which is directing its efforts to the compile
ftion of the monument erected to his memory. [
was proud to meet them, and far as l could, TO
| give them my humble influence and patronace-a
monument being erected to him who founded the
Government almost within stones throw of the
spot from which [ address YOU Let it be- compile
ted. [Cheers.
| Let the pledges Which oil these States associa-
tons and corporations have placed in that monu-
mont of their faith i'll and love for this Union be
preserved. Let it be completed. And i'll this
connection let refer to the motto upon the
stone sent from my own Statehood bless her
"a voice, land bless you IA State which has
struggled for the preservation of the Union In the
| field and i'll the councils of the nation, strug
Cling in embarrassment in consequence of the III
terruptlOn that has taken place with the Federal
Government growing out of the rebellion, but
struggling to renew her relations with the Gov
eminent, and take her stand where she has stood
since 1896. ICheering.] Let ME, say, repeat
the sentiment inscribed upon the stone sent here
| to be placed in that monument of freedom, and III
commemoration of Washington. | stand by that
sentiment, and she is now willing to stand by it.
It was the sentiment enunciated by the immortal
Andrew Jackson, 1.-The Federal Union, it must be
preserved" Were it possible for that old man,
who in statue is before mo, and in picture
behind me, in the Capitol, to be called forth,
were it possible for to communicate with the
| illustrious dead, and he could be informed of or
made to understand the progress and working of
faction, rebellion, and treason, the old man would
turn in his grave. Laughter and cheers
He would rise, and, shaking off the habiliments Of
the tomb, stand erect, and extending his long,
bony finger, would reterate the sentiment he
once spoke "The Federal Union, it must he pre-
served"
THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES AND SOUTH.
| But we see and witness what has TRANSFERRED
since his day We remember what he did in 1923,
when treason, treachery, and infdelity to the
Government and Constitution of the United States
then stalked forth. 1t was his power and inhu-
ence that went forth then and crushed the treason