The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-06-27

AT the conclusion OF the speech OF the
President, Gov. Bnllock introduced to him
the members of his personal staff, and
several officers Of the Commonwealth. The
state officials then retired, and The President
and party proceeded in privase to support
THE CITY GOVERNMENT RECEIVED.
/ According to arrangements the President |
at 10 o'clock received the city government, |
the several members of which were intro |
duced. The President received them very
cordially and exchanged a pleasant word
with each. Many prominent citizens, Official
and otherwise, were also present. The ex-
eentive was glad to see them all, and if his
hand did not ache with shaking he is blessed
with iron-hke muscles. -
~ Issis7m THE sERENADE. g5
/. In the meantime Gilmore's band, sixty
pieces, had stationed itself in front of the
hotel, and was flooding the evening air with ]
its ravishing melody. Each tune was fol,
lowed by a salvo of applause. and cheers
which echoed up and down the mass-throng.
ed avenue and immediate outlets. Finally,
in obedience to a most emphatic demand
from the multitude, Mayor Norcross, accom-
panied by the President, came forward to
the parlor window, the band playing ''Hail
to the Chief" and introduced his Excellen
cy. There was prolonged season ofcheers
and personal compliments, at the conclusion
of which the President spoke as follows:
PRESIDENT JoHNsoN's SPEECH.
FELLOW CITIZENS OF MAssAcHUsETTs-On
being introduced to you here tonight it is
more for the purpose of simply informing the
crowd that so far as am concerned there
will be no speech made on this occasion. IT
| is not my purpose in visiting Massachusetts
| on this occasion, to make speeches. / came
| to Massachusetts, for two reasons, one of
which is, it has been a long time desired on
my part to visit the state of Massachusetts,,
being one of the glorious states of this con-
federacy. Applause.l That is one of the
| reasons why am here. There is another
reason, it is true, to which l shall not allude
on this OCCASION. And in presenting myself
here, in being introduced to you tonight by
your distinguished representative, the Mayor,
it is for the purpose of informing You that
| shall not make,a speech or address on this
occasion. But must say after being intro
dIced, the kind manner, the cordial manner
in which have been received by the people
of this state on this occasion win make a
deep and lasting impression upon my heart.
i Hear, hear. And so long as my heart
continues to send forth onesingle kind emotion
so long will the impression remain inedeible
upon it that has been made by the people
since / -have visited the state.s Though a
Al Al
much said in reference to party and all that,
my business is not here in reference to either
party, so far as that Is concerned APP
plause. In paying your respects to the
chief magistrate of the nation it is done, as
understand it to be done, independent and
irrespective of party, so far that is con-
cerned. Cheers. / stand before you to-
night as your fellow-citiZen, and, as ] have
Just remarked, as chief Magistrate of the ma
ton and the manner in which / have been
received as a citizen of the United States
and as chief magistrate of the nation is pc
culiaFly gratifying to me, and, think, viii
not detract from your reputation or your
character. [Cheers. ! must say, though
after being introduced, that / am proud tc
have it IN my power to declare on this occa
sion, Notwithstanding we have been divided
| and split in twain as 1t were, that the bow Of
| peace Is set IN the clouds, ana that the day Is
coming when reason and truth will resume
their empire. The day is coming when a re
turning sense of justice and redeeming
spirit viii restore this people and make them
again united and feel as brothers. / fee
that the time is coming when we can utter
and proclaim that great sentiment, that the
world is our home and that every honest mar
, is our brother. Loud cheers. Then, m,
countrymen, in conclusion, and bidding you
, good bye here tonight, let me tender to you
and when do So l do SO in the utmos
sincerity,-let me tender to you my sincere
thanks for the demonstration that you have
made, for the cordial feeling that you have
manifested In receiving me in your midst
Then good bye, and take with You the bes
blessings of Heaven upon your heads.
The President having concluded his speech
there was another round of dGmonstrasiv
$ appreciation.
!, The band having given another inspiring
performance, vocferous calls were made .fo
Secretary Seward. Mayor Norcross 500
appeared and introduced the illustrious dip
$ lomatist. He also was cheered very enthu:
! iastically, which being concluded, he spok
/. | as follows: