The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-04-25
THE pRFsIDEsT,s aDDREss.

= ~ Auiou1uS ID q iuAA iePoAe " 49, -
dress delivered by President Johnson in front
of the White House, Wednesday night, in
response to seranade, followed by an adj
dress in behalfgf the soldiers and sailors in
Washington
Soldiers, Sailors and Felloac- Citizens:
1t is not affectation in me to say that Ian
guage is inadequate to convey the heartfelt
feelings produced on this occasion by your
presence here, and by the presentation OF
your sentiments, as expressed by your repre-
sentative in his address, and in the resnlu-
tons which you have thought proper to
adopt Iconfess that in the peculiar posture
of public affairs, your presence and address
give encouragement and confidence to me, IN
my efforts to discharge the duties Incumbent
upon me as Chief Magistrate of the Repub-
lie. And in what have to say, snail adj
dress YOU in the character OF citizens, sailors
and soldiers shall speak to you In those
terms and on none Others.
repeat my thanks for the manifestation
eff your appreciation, and ofyour encourage
ment. Applause.] Weare to-day involved
in one of the most critical and trying strug-
giles that have occurred since this govern
nent was spoken into existence. Nations,
like individuals, must have beginning,
must have birth. In struggling into exis-
tence nation passes through Its first trying
ordeal. 1t is not necessary Tor me now to
carry your minds back to the struggle when
this nation was born. 1t is not necessary for
me to allude to the privations and hardshlps
of those who were engaged IN that struggle
to achieve the national birth. 1t is not ne
cessary to point to the blood shed and the
lives lost in accomplishing that result. The
next ordeal through which nation has to
pass, is when it is called upon to giveevi-
dence that it has strength, capacity and pow
or to maintain itself among the nations ofthe
earth. In giving such evidence we passed
the war of 1912 and through the war with
Mexico; and passed through all the strug-
giles that have since occurred up to the be-
ginning of the rebellion.
This was our second ordeal But nation
has another test still to undergo, and that is
to give evidence to the nations of the earth
and to its own citizens, that it has power to
resist internal foes. That it has strength
enough to put down treachery at home and
treason within its own orders. Cheers. l.
We have commenced that ordeal, and trust
in God we will pass through it successfully.
[Cheers.l feel complimented by the allu-
sion of your representative to the fact that
stood in the Senate in 1860 and 1861, when
the nation was entering on this third ordeal,
and raised my voice and hand against trea-
son, treachery and traitors at home. Cheers,
and cries of Good. I stand here to-day
hol.ing to and maintaining the same princi-
pies which then enunciated. Cheers.
stand here to-day opposing traitors and trea-
son, whether they be in the South OF in the
North. Loud cheers. stand here to-day
as then stood, using all my powers, mental
and physical, to preserve this nation in pass
ing through the third phase of its existence.
The organized forces and combined pow
ers that recently stood arrayed against us are
disbanded and driven from the field, but it
does not follow that there are still no enc
mics against our present form of government
and our free institutions. Applause.
I then stood in the Senate of the United
States denying the doctrine of separation
and secession denied then, as deny now,
that any State has the right, of its own will,
to separate itself from the other States, and
thereby to destroy the Union and break up
the government; and think l have given
some evidence that l have been sincere and
in earnest. AMI now l want to know why
it is that the whole train of slanderers, cal
umniators and traducers have been barking
and swapping at my heels! Cheers.
Why is it that they array themselves
against mel Is it because l stand on the
side of the people-and when l say the peo-
pie include the sailors and soldiers
Cheers. Why is it that they are arrayed
in traducing and villifying and eliminating
me? Where were they during the rebellion?
IA voice Home in bed'-laughter.] In
the Senate raised my voice against it, and
when it was believed that it would be to the
interest of the nation, and would assist in
putting down the rebellion, did not leave
my place in the Senate-a place of emolu-
ment, ease and distinction and take my posi-
ton where the enemy could be reached and
where mems lives were in danger! Cheers
and cries of that's So"
While was thus exposed personally and
publicly, and in every way, some ofmy pres
ent traducers and calumniators were far re-
moved from the war and were enjoying case
and comfort. Cheers and laughter. But
l care not for them i care not that SANDER,
the foul wheIp of sin, has been turned loose
against me. care not for all that, and let
me tell you here to-day that although pretty
we'll advanced in life. feel that shall live
long enough to live down the whole pack of
traducers and slanderers. Applause. They
have turned the whole pack loose to lower
me in your estimation. Voices" They
can't do it'll Try, Blanche, and Sweetheart,
little dogs and all, come along swapping and
snarling at my heels, but heed them not
Cheers.
The American people, citizens, soldiers
and sailors, know that from my advent into
public life to the present moment, have al
ways stood unyielding and unwavering by
the advocates and defenders of their rights
and interests. Cheers.
We are now in the nations third ordeal
We are not yet through it. We said that
States could not go out of the Union We
denied the doctrine of secession and we have
demonstrated that we were right. We de-
monstrated it by the strong arm. Yes, the
soldiers and the sailors,-God bless them
have demonstrated by their patriotic hearts
and strong arms, that States have not the
power to leave the Union. Applausel
What followed2 The Confederate armies
were overpowered and disbanded, and there
was a willingness on the part of the people
of those States to come back. be obedient to
the laws, and acknowledge the supremacy of
the Constitution of our fathers. For what
have we passed through this third ordeal ?
1t was to establish theprinciple that no State
had the power to break up this government.
1t was to put down the rebellion. The re-
bellion has been put down and for what p
Was it to destroy the States Voices "nev-
cr."] For what have all these lives been
sacrificed and all this treasure expended 4