Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-06-11
The Presidents Southern Tour.

DALI last week paid visit to the RESIDENTS
native city-Raleigh, N. G.. at this point
he was welcomed by the Governor of the
State, in the following manner:
Gentlemen and ladies Il have the honor
to introduce TO you his Excellency, Andrew
johnson, President of the United States. -
lie visits the city Of his nativity on the invi-
tatiOn of its citizens, to be present at the cree
tlonOf monument to commemorate the worth
of his father. As the representative of North
Carolina, offer him here cordial welcome
from our whole people. deem it inappro-
pirate to the occasion to allude to any of the
political questions which now divide public
opinion. We propose only tender of re-
spect to the President, in which every true
hearted North Caolinian ought to Join We
all desire the restoration of the constitutional
union as nearly as possible on its old founda-
tiOus, and therefore we all honor our distin-
guished guest as pos:erity will honor him,
for his intelligent, constant and manly sup
port of constitutional liberty. Welcome, then
a hearty welcome to North Cardinals son,
who has rendered himself illustrious by his
honest, earnest, and unfinching adherence to
the constitution and union.
The President was greeted with applause,
and responded as follows:
Sir, permit me, through you, to tender those
here present and to the people Of the State of
North Carolina, my sincere thanks for the
welcome rendered me on the occasion of my
return to my native State and city. | con
fess that under the circumstances, and in
view of the demonstrations which have been
made since l reached Raleigh, as well as on
the way, l am inspired with emotions which
language is wholly inadequate to express
Herein the language OF another, and it is
not worth while to attempt to improve upon
there in the city of Raleigh is where my
infant eyes FIRST saw the light of Heaven
here are the scenes of my childhood; here
Is everything to bind man to his fellow, and
to associate him with surrounding objects
here is where the tendrils of the heart have
taken firm hold upon everything to which
1t Is attached. In making my entrance into
this city to-day, my mind involuntarily wan
dercd back to the time when left her streets
Penniess, inexperienced boy, to make my
way IN the world. [APplausc.] When look
ing back iorty-one years, ago, and on return-
ing here to day, l begin to inquire where arc
those | LETT behind In the language of
poetry itself, The friends of my childhood.
where are they 2 Echo answers, Where p
Some have emigrated and gone into other
lands; some have complied with the inexo.
rable and Irresistible call, and have passed to
that undiscovered country from whose bourne
no traveller returns l again ask, friends of
my childhood, where are they? Where are
the Haywoods, the Hunters and Lanes =
Where the Pcl!ccs, the Registers, and Smiths
and Joneses? Where is the long list of the
men who lived at that day, and who still
command respect for constancy TO principle
Under these circumstances. how could |
feel Indifferent! l would be fal.c to my
nature if [ forgot you. And not to indulge
IN se.EadulatiUu, | can say feel proud of
the demonstration in my honor by the citizens
Of my native town.
.Ereathcs there man with soul SO Gcao,
Who never to Eimzef has said,
his Il my own, nay native land"
[ Applause This is not the time or the oc-
casion to discuss the political issues which
disturb the public mind, but as alus;on has
been made to my first going out from among
you, may say that ever since l formed an
opinion as to tkc fundamental principles of
the government, | have adhered to them and
to the Constitution aud the Union, and the
flag of my country. Applause
When | went out from among you, and
from he time became connected with poll
ties laid down, as my rule, conscientious
performance Of duty, and adopted the consti-
tuition Of my country as my guide, Tapplause.
and by these, whether in prosperity or ad-
versity, have always been guided and con-
trO!!ed, and come veal or woe, in high places
or low places, with the constitution as my
guide, with my hand laid on the altar of nv
country, will leave these great principles
for those who arc to follow me. Applause
One OF my leading tcnets has always been
the prosperity Of the great mass of the peo-
pie, holding that all persons, without regard
TO condition or color, should be esteemed ac-
cording to their intrinsic merit or worth. leav-
ing each to rise on his own merit, courage and
energy. Let this be the standard. so that to
every one may be assigned his true position.
trust and hope that instead of discussing
party issues and creating factions between
North and South, East and West. that all
will exert themselves FOR the restoration of
the Union of these States. so that the foc
may float over cOnteuted aud prosperous
people, Applause. Let Us, my friends. re-
pair the breaches made by the war and re-
store the Union. This being accomplished.
we may then make such issues as the public
prosperity and safety may demand.
Let US eftace from our minds the memory
of the past; let US pour oil on the troubled
waters aud restore peace to the States This
has been my constant object but let this
pass. simply came to this place in compli-
ancc with your invitation to participate in
another ceremony to confer honor upon the
memory of one who was but a few years ago
In your midst. This has not cmanatcd. as I
understand, from any particular quarter or
family.
One word 20 you, young men. There is
much said as to education, advantages, &c,
but II any of you wish to succeed, or, in COM
mon phrase, make yourselves men, you will
have to do SO through your own excrtion
know some Of you are familiar with the
hardships and fierce trial through which I
have passed during the time that has eloDsa6