Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-11-15
Serenade TO Pre- sident JOhnsOn-
Speech ON the -0ccasiOn.

/
On Wednesday evening the Conserva-
lives OF the Army and Navy of the Union.
rendered to President JOHNSON q acongratu-
latory serenade. They invited all the Con-
servatives and Democrats to join them in
the demonstration. The procession formed
1t the headquarters of the Army and Navy
Union, and was composed of delegations
md associations, including the johnson
Clubs and Unions of Washington and
Georgetown, and large number of SOL
liers and sailors. Various army flags,
banners, transparencies, lanterns, torches,
&C., were carried in the procession, and
Turing the march there was a continuous
display of rockets and other fireworks
There were three bands of music. A broom
about four feet long and nearly as broad,
with huge handle. was significantly ex-
libited. 1t is the same that was presented
70 President LINCOLN, and was subsequent
ly sold at auction, with other personal ef-
fects of the late President.
When the procession arrived at the Ex-
ecutive Mansion, Presidential salute and
salute of 100 guns were fired. The dense
mass of spectators repeatedly called and
cheered the President. Music was playe ed
in the meanwhile, and fireworks exhibi-
ted. ....,. ..-
A committee, consisting of Col. JAS. A.
TAFT, Col. P. II. ALLABAcH and Col. JAMES
R. O'BYRNE, escorted the President to the
front of the Mansion, where he was greet
ed with repeated cheers.
Col. O'BYRNE then addressed the Presi-
lent as follows: t.s.-. .-.
Mr.. PRESIDENT: The Conservative Army
and Navy Union of the District of Colum-
bia tender you, their hOnored Chief, the
compliment of a grand serenade in con-
graduation of newly promised hope for
the welfare of our recently unhappy coun-
fry. Our Conservative friends throughout
the District of Columbia. representing the
different States OF the Union, join us in
trusting that the present, with its argu-
ments. may be harbinger of a renewed
future of prosperity, tranquility and
brotherly love throughout our land. We
invoke Providence to strengthen your
hands, to give you courage and fortitude
and aid you in the successful performance
of the mission it is yours to perform. Vo1
PopuH Lea Suprema Est.
The President then addressed the assem-
Olage as IOllOWS.
FELLOW CITIZENS: 1t is not my inten-
tion to make an address upon this occasion,
but simply to tender you my thanks for
this demonstrations demonstration ap-
probating what your fellow-citizens have
declared in recent elections in various
States of the Union. They will appreciate
your response to what they have done, and
send back greeting that the Union of the
States must be maintained according to the
original design OF our fathers. l confess l
am gratified, but not surprised, at the re-
suit of the recent elections.
/ have always had undoubting confidence
in the people. They may be. sometimes mis-
led by lying spirit in the mouths of their
prophets, but never perverted, and in the
end they are always right. In the gloom
lest hours through which have passed, and
many of them, God knows, have been dark
enough, when our Constitution was in the
utmost peril, when our free institutions
were assailed by & formidable force, and
our great Republic seemed to be tottering
to its fall, and when l felt how vain were
my efforts alone to preserve those institu-
tiOns in their integrity, and save the Re-
public from ruin, was still hopeful. had
still an abiding CO lfidence in them, and
felt assured they, in their might, would
come to the rescue: They have come, and
I thank God they have come, and
y
was but the other day that officially de-
clared that the remedy tor the present nm
happy condition of the country must come
from the people themselves. They know
what that remedy is, and how it is to be
applied at tile present time. They cannot,
according to the forms of the Constitution,
repeal obnoxious laws; they cannot re-
move or control this military despotism.
The remedy is nevertheless in their hands,
and is sure one, if not controlled by fraud,
overawed by arbitrary power, or from
apathy on their part too long delayed.
With abiding confidence in their patriot
ism, wisdom and integrity am still hope
full that in the end the rod of despOtism will
be broken, the armed heel of power lifted
from the neck of the people, and the prin-
ciples of a violated Constitution preserved.
The people have spoken in manner not
to be misunderstood. Thank God that they
have spoken, for it is upon their intelligence
and their integ rity that have always relied,
and still rely. The Constitution of the cOun-
try which was imperiled had recently been
before them for consideration, and it has
had new life and vigor impaired to it.
From its original source-the people-it
comes back TO us with renewed strength.
Let it now be translated high up in the
heavens, written in letters of living light,
as the symbol of liberty, union, justice and
fraternity. Good night.
The President was cheered during the
delivery of the speech and also on its con-
clusion. and retired from the .tand amid
repeated cheers and instrumental music.
Calls were made for Attorney General
SrANBERY. He was on the premises, but
did not appear to make speech.