The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-12
JOHNSON.
His Brief speech i'm Baltimore.

The reception of eX President Johnson, at the
Baltimore Exchange, yesterday, ended at P. NJ,
and he was escerted back to Barnums Hotel.
During the afternoon the Fire Department made
a tine display and trial in front OF the hotel in
Monument Square. Dinner was served at hall
past s P. NJ. Mr.. Johnson took his seat with Major
Banks on his right and Governor Bowie on MS
lett. About two hundred persons we're present.
After prayer by the Rev. DR.. McCron, the
dinner was partaken OF, fine band meanwhile
dis scoursipg music. The cloth being removed
the first toast was read as folloWs:-
''Our Guest, the Patriot Statesman, Andrew
Johnson.n-As President OF the United States
the bulwark OF equal rights, the champion OF
the only true and permanent union OF these
States, and the defender and martyr of the
Constitution, history will vindicate his fame
and record an impeachment of his impeachers,
and verdict OF guilty as to them by the votes
OF future generations OF American freemen.
Baltimore, standing at the gate ofthe Capitol, in
front OF the grand procession advancing to
meet and welcome an illustIious citizen in the
name OF that long line OF admiring thousands
who await his coming, bids him welcome to a
place In the hearts or great people, for whose
protection and happiness he barred his breast
to the shafts OF calumny, and for their sake
haZarded all that is dear to the man and the
citizen in his retirement from the seat OF the
National Government, In the full Vigor OF his
manly faculties, stimulated by the applause OF
all coed citizens, we look with great assurance
TO his future efforts and influence for the hbe.
ration OF the captive States OF the Union, and
the release of their now true and faithful citi-
zeDs from political slavery. May his life and
destiny be radiant III the list of the long line Of
American patriots, with the blessings OF the
lovers of the Constitution and Union, which
have always been the glory OF American citi-
zens.n
This toast was received with much applause,
when Mr.. johnson responded, as ollows:-
Gentemen:-ln rising after the resolution has
been read of sentiments therein expressed, Tor
the purpose of making an add ess, 10 simply
return my thanks Tor the compliment, have
Lo speech to make relative to public affairs bat
what has already been expressed, and in rising
now 1t Is only TO tender my tnanks. j am free
to say that during the last four years IN the
ardUous struggle going Oh for constitutional
liberty, In Its darkest hour, the coe ddence and
announcement of the State of Maryland has
been encouragement peculiarly sust aiming IN
lts character, Tor when the crisis arrived Mary
land seemed to be always standing for tue
Constitution and the Union. repeat. my only
purpose III rising is to tender my thanks, but
Will say, in retiring from the most exalted
position in the gift of free people, and resum-
ing the position of a citizen. teel more hon
ored than | would tomorrow in being Presi-
dent.
feel more pride in being au American citizen
tonight than 1 would in bei0g Daugurated
Presloent over the ruins of violated Constitu-
tion. Yes, my delgerance is the greatest case
of emancipation SINCE the Rebellion, stand
freeman, and would rather be freeman than
President aud be slave. The speeches you
have made me today and tonight shall be
treasured up as long as one pulsatlon shall be
rent from my heart, and carried with me.
Accept my tbanks, not as simple utterance, put
the expression of heart overlooking with
thanks for the kind reception you have
given me.