Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-04-11
ANDREW JOHNSON AT THE
CAPITAL.
Tremendous Crowd to Hear and
See Him.
Great Speech for the Times.
A Mastery Review or the Situa-
ton.

commenced pouring into the city until on
streets presented n scene Of hustle not ollel
witnessed here, and had some strange
dropped in suddenly upon us, he woul'
doubtless have been Impressed with tn
idea that some important event was occur
ring in the history of Nashville. In thi
opinion there was no mistake, for it wa
an event long to be remembered. Thu
presidential chair of great nation ha
just been vacated, and be who filled tina
distinguished position has returned to th'
capital of his own Slate to give an accoun
of his stewardship, and receive the honor
of those who have watched with wha
fidelity amidst the storms incident to hi
administration, and in defiance Of the will
Of fanaticism, he has adhered to the consii
tuition of his country, and preserved wha
is left of free government on this continent
This explains the great outpouring of the
people. From every hilltop and valley
in our own county there were representa-
tives from the yeomanry of the land, and
adjoining counties too sent forward iheil
stalwart sons to do honor TO the occasion
They came as the winds come when forests
are rended,
They came as the waves come when naviel
are stranded"
During the early part of the morning a
large number of the old political friend;
of the Ex-PGesident called to see him in
his suit OF rooms at the st. Cloud Hotel
where pleasant interviews and interchange
Of opinion took place.
By IL o'clock the crowd commenced as
sembling upon the Square, and for up
words OF an hour, they continued to pour
in until the immense area between the
Courthouse and the City Hotel, was one
living mass, and packed 60 close together,
that there was hardly breathing room.
The 70 1my balconies in front of the City
Hotel, in the meantime were being filled
up with ladies, aud continued until every
available foot of space was taken up. In
addition also to the dense crowd that
lined the psvements on the east side OF
the Public Square, the second story win
dows of the numerous buildings were
thronged with ladies'.
One feature connected with the immense
crowd there assembled, was the large
number of eolored people in attendance,
aud how earnest and attentive they appear
ed to be throughout the, time occupied in
the delivery Of The speech, was the subject
of general remark.
There WAS no music on the occasion
The City Hall bell was tapped q few
minutee, as a notification of the hour fol-
speaking. 1t required nothing like this to
drum up crowd. A little after twelve
o'clock, the ex-President arrived on the
grounds, accompanied by committee
Upon mounting the rostrum, it WAS the
occasion for loud and prolonged cheering
Judge Whitworth then appeared on this
stand and spoke IS follows:
JUDGE WHITWoRTH'S REMARKS.
FELLOW CITIZENS: We are here assem-
'bled to-day under somewhat peculiar cir.
cumstances. We are here to receive anC
hear the ex-President Of the United Statei
| of America, who doubtless will discus
many subjects in which you have and fee
a deep and an abiding interest. We arr
here, Just having passed through trials anC
| difficulties; yet, notwithstanding all this
| we are not quite out of the troubles ant
difficulties which have grown up incipi
| emily from the transition made from wa
| 10 peace. They are not of easy ad
| iustment, and 1t behoove5 every mar
| and every woman in thi
broad land of our to hear patiently, to hea
kindly, to hear understandingly what b
| NAV say, who has been in the midst of tn
trials and the difficulties of the occasion
| 1t is not now for us, my fellow-country
men, 10 go back over the past but to dea
| with the living issues of to-day. Wha
| are they? / will not now undertake 4
state them. They involve, my country
| meu-bolh colored aud wbite-th
rights of prosperity, of peace and G
liberty. The issues of this State, tn
issues of this time, as much involve Tia
liberty of the people Of all grades an
classes as at any period during the wa
through which we have passed. And
bespeak, 10 the name of liberty, IN tn
name of all you hold dear, and in th
name of our common ancestry, that yo
hear patiently what shall be said unit
you, whether it be exactly Of your way 0
thinking or not Neither you, nor !, no
any man that liveth, can have all thing
exactly as we wish them. The day ha
come when we, as a people, should Iiste
TO the words of truth an sobsrness, givin
ourselves up to wisdom rather than yield
ing to prejudice or passion.
1t is for the discussion of the queslio
| whether We have country, a constitution
| or a government that We can maintain an
that will secure to US our rights as fret
| men.
This is what the distinguished speak;
proposes to discuss. These are the que
lions that lie deeper and broader than pt
litical issues-guestions of human libert
: and OF freedom. And ! introduce
Won now, az | conceive, an individual VII
amidst the storms aud difficulties viii
which he Was surrounded, has endeavore
by bold and invincible courage TO mainta
the dignity of the constitution and yol
nations flag over every inch of your lie
ritCry-the Hon. Andrew Johnson.
Loud applause succeeded this eloque
introduction and greeted the tx Prtsider
| who advanced to the front of the staI
and spoke as follows:
MR.. JoHNsoN's SPEECH.
; FELLOW CITIZENS: 10 appearing befo
, you on this occasion it is somewhat diffe
: ent from what it was when appeared
> fore you in times gone by. Heretofore
: appearing before the people of my State,
: has usually been in q canvas, soliciIil
: their patronage and support. To day
appearing before you il is not in the chs
acIer of candidate for any office with
your gift, Or asking any favor you IN
have III yonr power TO confer. Then,
+ appearing before you, no soliciting faVo
. OF any share in the emoluments OF office,
trust and hope there will be no improp
design attributed TO me. / am here
your midst TO speak to-day by invitation
- large number Of my fellow-cilizens
l. doing so, want 10 do il IN a mann
> which will contribute TO better unde
standing of the questions which asitate a
divide the public mind.
Ia returning To my home and L
e adopted Stste-snd | hope you will thi
n this not affected, for it is not-in steppi
n from the most exalted position 10 the Q
,e Of 4 free people, into their midst, to bea
- portion OF the burdens which have 1
| laan canshla nf removinO from, IN