The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1867-06-08
President Johnson's speech At Raleigh

On the arrival Of the President at Raleigh,
n c., on Monday afternoon, a large crowd /
was awaiting him at the depot, including
Generals Sickles, Burns and Miles. Mayor
Haywood addressed the President, rendering
a cordial welcome and the inequalities of
the city. The President was then escorted
to the Farborough Hotel, and introduced to
the crowd by Governor Worth The Presi-
dent, in reply, rendered his thanks, and
said:
Here in the city Of Raleigh is where my
infant eyes first saw the light of heaven;
here are the scenes Of my childhood; here
is everything to bind man to his fellow-man,
and to associate with him surrounding OBJ
ieets; here is where the tendrils of the
heart have taken firm hold upon everything
to which it is attracted. In making my en-
trance into this city to day, my mind inyol-
untary wandered back to the time when
left its streets penniless and inexperienced
boy to make my way into the world. Zap
plause
When looking back forty years ago, and
returning here to-day, l beg to inquire
where are those left behind, in language Of
poetry itself, " the friends of my childhood
where are they? Echo answers, where
Some have emigrated and gone to other
lands, some have complied with the inexora-
BILE and invincible call and have passed to
that undiscovered country from whose
bourne no traveller returns"
again ask, friends my childhood, where
are they2 Where are the Haywoods, Hun
ters and Lanes2 Where are the Pearces.
the Registers, and Smiths and Jones Where
is the long list of men who lived that day,
and who commanded respect for eonstancy
of principle Applause ] Under these
circumstances could l feel Indifferent? l
would be false to my nature if | forgot you,
and not to indulge in selfadulation, I can,
say feel proud Of the demonstrations in nv
native land.
Breathes there a man with soul so dead
who never to himself hath said, this is my
own, my native land. Applause This is
not the time or the occasion to discuss pOIiti-
/ cal matters, but as alusion has been made TO
my first going out from among you, l may say
/ that ever since formed an opinion as to the
/ fundamental principles of government |
have adhered to them and to the Consultation.
the Union and the flag of my country. Tap
/ plause.
| When went out from among you, and from
/ the time 1 became connected with politics, I
laid down as a rule a Conscientious perform
ance of duty, aud adopted the Constitution
/ whether In prosperity or adversely l have
always been guided and controlled and
come veal or woe, In high place as we'll as
| In low places, with the constitution as nv
| guide, with my hand laid upon the altar of
my country, l will leave these great princi-
! piles for those who are to follow. Applause
| One of my leading tenets has been the
| prosperity of the great mass of the people,
! holding that all persons, without regard to
] IN. MI oh ho Il
ing to intrinsic worth or merit. leaving each
to rise on his own merit,courage and energy.
| Let this be the standard, so that to every one
may be assigned his proper position
trust instead of discussing party issues,
| creating factions between North and South,
East and West, that all viii exert themselves
] for a restoration of the Union of these States,
so that the old dag may float over prosper
GUS country. Applause Let US, my friends,
repair the breaches made by war and restore
union. This being accomplished, We may
then make such issues as prosperity and
safety may demand. Let US efface from our
minds the memory of the past. Let as pour
oil on the troubled waters and restore peace
to the otates. This has been my constant
object
But let this pass. I simply came to this
place in compliance with your invitation to
partake in ceremony 20 confer an honor
upon the ceremony of one who was few
years ago in your midst. This has not
emanated, as 1 understand, from any par
ticular quarter OF family. One word to you,
young men. There is much said as to edu-
catiOnal advantages, ETC., but If any one of
you wish to succeed, or In common phrase
make yourselves men, you will have 70 do so
through your own exertions
know some of you are familiar with the
hardsbips and fiery trials through which /
have passed during the time that has elapsed
since / leftyou. 1t is not for me to say
whether l have succeeded or not. Let that
be it may, my race is nearly run. l am
no aspirant for anything The way is open
for all All places of emolument and dis
tinctiOn open before you. There are here
few of those in whose hands the administra.
ton of the government is placed We are
passing away. The next wave will bring you
young men and women in our places, and
cur work viii fall into other hands; there
fore greater should be your efforts to pre-
pare yourselves for the responsibilities that
must in time devolye upon you.
In conclusion, permit me to tender you my
thanks for this cordial welcome, rendered
through your distinguished representative
the Governor of the State. Though she sent
me out penniless and friendless, and did not
afford me those advantages which you now
enjoy, and though on returning | cannot do
so IN the language OF my Alma Mater,
can say, with pride and satisfaction, she is
my mother and whatever may have been her
delinquencies love her still.
Ladies and Gentlemen: Let me again ex-
press my heartfelt thanks for this warm vel
come on returning to my native city.
The President, as he retired, was repeat
edly applauded.
Extract from the Minutes Of the Convention
q IL IL 2