Des Arc weekly citizen., 1867-11-23
A Serenade to the President.

ua A Serenade to the President.
 From the telegraph weleara, that the
 conservative army and navy union, at Washing gton, having tendsred to the
 president serenade, they invited all conservatives and democrats to join in a demonstration on the 18th inst. Y
 The procession formed at the head quarters of the army and navy union, composed, of delegations and associa- tions, including Johnson ,clubs and
 unions of Washington and George town, and large number of soldiers and sailors of the army and navy Flags, banners, lanterns and torches were carried in the procession, and during the march there was continu- ous display of fireworks. There were thirty bands of music. Abroom about four feet long and nearly as broad, with a huge handle, was significantly ex- hibted. It is the same that was pre- sented to President Lincoln, and which was purchased at an auction sale.-- When the procession arrived at the executive mansion, 3 presidential sa- lute of 100 guns was fired. The dense mass of spectators repeatedly called and cheered the president. Music was played meanwhile, and fireworks ex- hibited. A committee, consisting of Col. Jas. A. Lait, Col. F. H. Allbach and Col. Jas. R. Obern, escorted the president to the front of the mansion, where he was greeted with repeated cheers. Col. Obern then addressed the president as follows: 2Rl
 MR. PRESIDENT: Tho conservative army and navy union, of the District of Columbia, tender you, their honor ed chief, the compliment of grand serenade, in congratulation ofthe new ly promised hope for the welfare of our recently unhappy country. Our conservative friends throughout the District of Columbia, representing the different states of the union, join us in trusting that the present, with its ar engagements, may be harbinger of re- newed future prosperity, tranquility and brotherly love throughout the land. We invoke Providence to strengthen yonr hands, to give you courage and fortitudc, and to aid you in the successful performance of the mission it is yours to perform. Salus populi lex suprema est.
 The president then addressed the as semblage as follows:
 FELLow-cITIzEss: It is not my in tcntion to make an address upon this occasion, but simply to tender you my thanks for this demonstration---a de- monstration approbsting what your fellow -citizcns have declared in the re- cent elections in various states of the Union. They will appreciate your re- sponse to what they have done and send back greeting that the union of the states must be maintained accord ing to the original design of our fath- CTS. I confess am gratified, but not surprised at the result of the recent elections. ~ gs
 have always had undoubting con- fidence in the people. They may be sometimes misled by lying spirit in the mouths of their prophets. but new CT perverted, and in the end they are always right. In the gloomiest hours through which have passed, and many of them God knows have been dark enough--when our constitution was in tye utmost peril, when our free in stitutions were assailed by formidable force, and our great republic seems to be. tottering to its fall and when l felt how vain were my efforts alone to preserve her institutions in their in tegrity, and save the republic from ruin, I was still hopeful; l had still an abid- ing confidence in them, and I felt as- sured that they, in their might, would come to the rescue. They have come ; and thank God they have come, and that our republic may yet be saved.
 Itwas but the other day that offici- ally declared that the remedy for the present unhappy condition of the coun- try must come from the people them- selves. They know what that remedy is, and how it is to be applied at the present time. They cannot, according to the forms of the constitution, repeal obnoxious laws; they cannot remove or control this military despotism; the remedy is, nevertheless, in their hands and is sure one, if not controlled by fanatics and overawed by arbitrary power, or from apathy on their part too long delayed. With abiding confi- dence in their patriotism, wisdom and I am still hopeful that in the end the rod of ofdespotism will be broken the armed heel of power lifted from the neck of the people, and the princi- ples of the constitution preserved. The people have spoken in manner not to be misunderstood. Thank God that they have spoken, for it is upon their and their integrity that I have always relied and still rely. The of the country, which was impaired, had recently been before them for consideration, and it has had new life and vigor imparted to it from it's original source--the people. It comes back to us with renewed vigor ! let 1t now be translated high up in the written in letters of living light, as the symbol of liberty, union justice and fraternity. Good night,