Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-11-19
TO PRESIDENT JOHNSON.
TEN THOUSAND PERSONS PRESENT. -

-e
On Wednesday night last the 18th inst, a
grand serenade was given the President in honor
of the recent political victories in New York
and other States The arrangements were un
der the direction of the Officers and members
of the Conservative Army and Navy Union.
Early in the evening, throngs of ladies and
gentlemen commenced to gather along the ave
nue. to witheEs the grand display. At 8 clock
the procession was formed. Arriving at the Ex-
eeutive Mansion, the crowd that had already
gathered was found to be so very great that It
was with difficulty that the bands could force
their way through the yard. The band OF the
18th infantry wa, stationed on the front balcony,
and passage way was formed In the centre
While the crowd was being settled, and the
transparencies, banners, &c, placed around the
outer pillars, the band of the 18th, under the
leadership OF Prof. Dausch, performed beautiful
selections from operas. 4 ~
Everything being in readiness, the President,
escorted by Marshal Gooding, and accompanied
by his private secretaries. Colonels johnson,
Moore, and Morrow, walked forth to the front
Of the steps of the porch. He was received with
loud and vociferous cheering by the immense
concourse of people. which, by this time, nun
bered about ten thousand. Among the large
crowd present noticeable feature was the great
number of ladies, and the fair ones seemed as
anxious to see and hear as their male escorts
Quiet having been obtained, Colonel james r.
tbo &c +boN opc A rp,v
and Navy Union, presented the following adj
dress:
His E.rcellency Andre,o johnson, President OF
the United States
Mr.. PRESIDENT: The Conservative Army
and Navy Union of the District of Columbia
tender you, their honored chief. the compliment
of grand serenade in congratulation CT newly
promised hope for the welfare of our recently
hitherto unhappy country. Our Conservative
friends throughoutthe District. representing the
different States of the Union, join Us intrusting
that the present, with its arguments, may be
harbinger of renewed future prosperity and
tranquility and brotherly love throughout the
land. We invoke Providence to strengthen
your hands, to give you courage and fortltude
to aid you in the successful performance of the
grand mission it is yours to perform. Salus
popuE lea saprep,a est. y
At the conclusion Of the address of Colonel
O'Beirne, the President spoke as follows:
THE SPEECH OF TIE PRESIDENT.
FELLOW CITIZENS: 1t is not my intention to
make an address upon this occasion, but simply
to tender you my thanks for this demonstration
"a demonstration approaching what your fel
low citizens have declared in the recent elections
in various States of the Union. They will ap
preciate 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.
[ confess [ am gratifed, but not surprised, at
the result Of the recent elections. have always
had undoubting confidence In the people They
may sometimes be misled by a lying spirit in
the mouths of their prophets but never
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-and when our Constitution
was ip the utmost peril when our free institu
tions were assailed by formidable force, and
our great Republic seemed to be tottering to its
fall, and when felt how vain were my efforts
alone to preserve these institutions IN their in
tegrity and to save the Republic from ruin, |
was hopeful; [ had still an abiding confidence
in the people, and felt assured that they, in their
might, would come to the rescue. They would
comet And thank God they have come, and
that our Republic may yet be saved. I'remen
dous cheering
1t was but tue other day that I officially de-
clared that the remedy for the present unhappy
condition OF the country must eome from the
people themselves They know what that rem
edy is and how is to be applied. At the present
time they cannot, according to the forms of the
Constitution, repeal obnoxious laws; they can
not remove or control this military despotism;
The remedy is nevertheless in their hand, and
is sure one. if not controlled by fraud, over
awed by arbitrary power, or, from apathy on
their part, too long delayed. With abiding
confidence in their patriotism, wisdom, and in
tegrity, | am still hopeful that in the end the
rod of despotism will be broken, the armed heel
of power lifted from the necks of the people,
and the principles ola violated Constitution pre-
served. The people have spoken in manner
not to be misunderstood Thank God they
have spoken; for it is upon their intelligence
and their integrity that | have always relied,
and still rely. The Constitution Of the country,
which was imperilled, has recently been before
them for consideration. and it has had new life
AND VlgOr impaired to 1t from Its original source
the people. 1t comes back to US with renew
ed strength and power. Let it now be transa
ted high up in the Heavens. written in letters
of living light, as the symbol of Liberty and
Union, justice, magnanimity and fraternity !
Good night.
At the conclusion of the address of Presiden,
johnson be was repeatedly cheered by the vast
assemblage President johnson then bowed
good night" and the immense throng com
menced to disperse. Accompanied by the Ma
rine Band, a large crowd then proceeded to the
room of the Conservative Army and Navy
Union, where very enthusiastic meeting wa,
| held. Colonel Allabach. the president of the
Union, presided, and spirited and stirring ad
| dresses were delivered by Captain Frank Geise
Lieutenant G. @. Richmond, Colonel James A
TAFT, and Mr. Davis, of Kentucky All tn,
speakers congratulated the association upon thu
successful termination of the magnificent affai
ofthe evening, and delivered forcible argument
| in favor of renewed energy on the part of thu
Conservative element of the country during tn,
coming Presidential campaign.
At late hour the assembIage dispersed, anC
| thus closed an evening of great success, and ont
of the greatest ovations that has ever been origi
mated in that city.
rs To such as are contemplating entranc,
into the matrimonial union, we would state tina