The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-06-11
Gbe Wsstgrn Dfmofrat.
THE PRESIDENT IN RALEIGH.
CHARLOTTE, n.
From the Raleigh Progress, June ..

idential party was lu aii pa 80
and NO doubt our visitors and the people are
mutually gratrfed' -, p,o.;
dent in the State House, Mr. johnson and suit,
and a vast multitude Of citizens and strangers,
repaired to the city cemetery, where the monu.
meut to jacob johnson, father of the nations
Chief Magistrate, was raised Ex-GoV. SWAN
pronounced the euiogy, and acquitted himseH
with scholarly ability. .--......-
A few minutes after reaching the YarbrouGh
house, Governor Worth introduced President
johnson, who spoke as follows:
Sir-Permit me, through you, to tender TO
those here present, add to the people OF tue
StAe of North Carolina, my sincere thanks 1or
The welcome rendered me on the occasion OF my
return to nv native town. / confess that under
the circumstances, and in view of the demon
STATIONS which have been made since reaeheu
Raleigh. as well as on the way, am impressed
with emotions which language is wholly made
auate to express Here in the city OF Raleigh
is where nay infant eyes first saw the ignt OF
Heaven; here are the scenes OF childhood; mere
is everything to bind man to bis fellow; aud 10
assist him with surrounding objects; here Is
where the tendrills of the heart have taken
firm hold uuon everything to which it is at
tached In making my entrance into this city
TO-DAY, nv mind inyountarily wandered back
to the time when left her streets pennies
and mex oerienced boy, to make my way In the
world. Applause When looking back forty
one wears ago, ADD on returning here day, l
begin 10 inquire, where are those l left behind!
aye, in the language of poetry itself, "Ihe
friends of childhood, where are they !! Echo
answers, where? Some have emigrated and
gone to other lands; some have complied with
the inexorable aud irresistible call, and have
passed to that undiscovered country from whose
bourne no traveller returns.
again ask, friends of my childhood, where
are tbey2 Where are the Haywoods, Hunters
and Lanes Where the Pearces the
Roysters and Smiths and JonesesI Where is the
long list of men who lived at that day, and Who
commanded respect for constancy to principles
TApplause Under these circumstances could
1.feei inditerently | would be false to ny
nature if forgot you, and not to iEdulge 10
self-adulation. can say. / feel proud OF the
demonstrations in my honor by the citizens of
my native town.
-nBreathes there man with soul so dead,
who never to himself has said, this is my own,
my native land" GApplause This is not the
time nor the occasion to discuss the political
issues which disturb the public mind, but as
allusion has been made to my first going out
from among you, / may say that ever since
formed an opinion as to the fundamental prin
.ciples of the government, have adhered to
them aud to the Constitution, the Union and
the flag of my country. Applause And BY
these, whether in prosperity or adversely, have
always been guided and controlled, and come
veal or woe, 10 high places or low places. with
the Constitution as my guide, with my hands
laid on the altar of my country, l will leave
these great principles for those who are to follow
fApplause One of my leading tenets has
been the prosperity of the great mass of the
people, holding that persons, without regard to
condition or color, should be esteemed accord
ing to intrinsic merit or worth, leaving each to
rise on bis own merit, courage and energy. Let
this be the standard, SO that every one may be
assigned bis true position. l trust and hope
that instead of discussing party issues, creating
factions between North, South, Fast or West,
that all will exert themselves for the restoration
of the Union Of these States, so that the flag
may float over a conteuted and prosperous peo-
pie. Applause Let US, my friends, repair
the breaches made BY the war, and restore the
Union. This being accomplished, we may then
make such issues as our prosperity and safety
may demand. Let us efface from our minds
the memory of the past. Let US pour water 90
the troubled waters and restore peace to the
States. This has been my constant object; but
letthls pass. l simply came to this place in
compliance with your invitation to participate
IN anot her ceremony-to confer an honor upon
the memory Of one who was few years ago iH
your midst. This has not emanated, as uu-
derstand, from any particular quarter or family.
One word to you, young men. There is much
said as to educational advantages, etc but if
any of you wish to succeed, or, in common
phrase, make yourselves men, you will have to
do SO through your own exertious. | know
some of you are familiar with the hardshps and
fiery trials through which have passed during
the time that has elapsed since left you. 1t is
not for me to say whether have succeeded or
not. Let that be as it may, my is nearly
run. am no aspirant for anything. The way
is open for all. Places OF emoumeut ard dis.
tinction are before you. There are here few
of those in whose hands the administration of
the government is to be placed. We are pas
sing away; the next wave will bring you, young
men and women, in eur places, and our work
will fall into other hands, therefore the greater
should be your efforts to prepare yourselves for
the responsibilities that must In time devolye
upon you.
In conclusion, permit me to tender you my
thanks for the cordial welcome extended throus h
Jour distinguished representative the Governor
of the State. Though she sent me out penni-
less aud fri ,adless, aud Gid not then afford those
advantages which you now enjoy; aud though
on returning cannot do so in the language of
the schools, to my Alma Nuter; can saw with
pride and satisfaction, she is my mother. and
whatever may have been her deiinquencies. I
love her still. Then, ladies aud gentlemen, let
me again express my heartfelt thanks for this
warm aud sincere welcome on my return to this
my native city. 1898. 60