Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-06-30
MASONRY.
The speech of President Johnson at
the Masonic banquet nj Boston.

The speech Of President johnson at
the Masonic banquet nj Boston.
BROTHERS: In responding to the toast
which you have Just drank, can only
tender you my sincere thanks for the re-
ception that / have received in coming
here to-day. Had ] intended, or felt in
clined. 10 make an address, / must freely
say language would have been inadequate
to express the emotions which have been
awakened in me by 50 cordial a welcome.
But / must leave my intelligent brothers
10 infer what ! should have said or ought
70 have said. If 1t we're necessary to make
any excuses for not addressing you on this
occasion, ] might put forward those that
have already been suggested by the Grand
Master-frst, that | must absent myself
from the remaining part of this celebra-
ton and next, the severe press that has
been made upon me since leaving Wash
ington. To-day, as you all know (such Of
you as have participated in its labors) has
been one Of work, not one Of play. Gem
tlemen, regard the demonstrations made
to-day, and the manifestation Of feeling
that has been exhibited on this occasion, as
the beginning Of a new era in Masonry
for il SCENE TO me the prejudice, and,
was going TO say, the incrustatien which
has rested upon Masonry for large num-
Der Of years seems, from the demonstration
to-day, TO have been broken. As l am be-
fore You | cannot repress or restrain my
self from calling your attention to this
fact ] have Witnessed many Ma
sonic celebrations, and have partici-
pated in many, and | have heard the
ieers and taunts cast upon them as the
brethren hsve turned out in their appropri-
ate attire but on this occasion let me ask
every man and brother that has been here
to-day If be did not feel that he was a
man, and that he was willing TO wear and
exhibit and 20 put on Masonry and ali its
appendages One of the most remarkable
things to-day mas been that, notwithstand-
ing things have been little mixed through
ont this vast procession--this countless
crowd-I have not heard the first express
sion Of aerimony. Loud applause
Hence the remark ! have made, that We
have commenced new era, and its great
principles being understood, it is pleasing
for Us TO know that its principles embrace
the universe, and are coextensve with hu
manity. Having reached this great end
all that Is necessary is energy and progress
and The contamination of the great objects
OF Masonry will be accomplished. should
not have visited Massachusetts, at least on
the present occasion, had it not been for
the order of Masonry. / came in good
faith for the express purpose Of parlici-
pating in and witnessing the dedication of
this temple to-day 10 Masonry, and as far
as ! could, let il be much or little, TO give
il my countenance and my sanction. /
have shown no restraint, for / have felt
none, and in this az in most things
in which ! have participated, have
first satisfied my conscience that |
was right and that being 30, have lefl
consequences 70 take care OF themselves.
And now this great termination being
reached, We must rejoice in the triumph of
the living, the indestructible principles
which have pervaded the fraternity from
its advent till the present time. / did not
rise, my brothers, for the purpose Of max
ing a speech, and / had not intended TO
say as much as have. ! do this, however
by way Of episode. There are some, per
haps, who would not be prepared TO con
cede that ! am not loquaciOus. | am not,
as general thing, however, very garrulons
or loquacions. The little Of talking | have
done has been more a matter Of necessity
than Of choice; but when compelled 10
speak, l care not before what audience or
tribunal il has been-when truth, when
principle, when my country, when the great
cause Of tae human family was at stake
have spoken. l have done 80 in times
gone by, when the very existence of my
government and country was imperilled.
believe that the great principles Of Masonry
are synonymous with the great principles
of free government aud il my brothers
will examine my public career from my
advent in political life ill the present
time, thiuk they will fnd that
| have bten true 20 both. Although
personally stranger 10 Massachusetts,,
am her intimate friend and acquaintance,
and politically it matters not where we are
whether in the East or the West, or the
North or the South, when those great prin-
ciples come up. Men that understand
them can act ia concert and harmony.
have never failed TO defend the order,
though the fraternity have passed through
many severe ordeals which have tried and
subjected Its votaries to tests Of the most
excruciating character. Icare not whether
Il is religion or politics, or both combined,
in the pursuit and in the support of a cor
rect principle / have never hesitated TO
express my views. live for principle, /
am devoted 10 principle, and take fresh
courage from the demonstrations which
have been made 10 day BY the people OF the
good city Of Boston and the State of Mas
sachusetis. / thank you FOR that demon
strstion--a manifestation of feeling and an
outburst as il were, Of popular sentiment
which has rarely been equalled, and doubt
whether one like il ever occurred in the
United States or elsewhere. Ia conclusion,
have 20 say / am here by your invitation,
and / thank yoa for 1t, Though l am
pretty well advanced in life, | hope l may
be spared for some time longer and / do
assure you that the remembrance of this
occasion will be green and fresh in my
memory when shall 60 down to nay grave.
am gratifed, more than gratifed, that l
have had en- opportunity 70 participate IN
the ceremonies here to-day. Then, in
leaving the party here tonight, and in eid-
ding You rood-hy, let me leave witt you
ais sincere thanks Of a heart that beats Cor
the Order and for common country. ira
ternally and afectionateiy bid you fare
well, and may God bestow upon you his
choicest blessing tApplause
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