Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-04-15

by his admiring subjects, ten or fifteen in
number, who were all younger than him.
self His general makeup and bearing
was similar to the Artful Dodger. in
Oirer Tpist, and he may be President
yet. 1t is said, 10 certain river column,
that the " Brigade tursed out in honor
of distinguished Alderman who was on
one Of the committees. The Marshal OF
the day had not assigned the Mackerol
Brigade a place in the procession,
although all classes had been invited to
participate at their own expense. So
they aoated around on an independent
schedule, and had a reception Of their
own in back alley.
AT THE HOTEL.
When Mr.. johnson arrived at the
Overton Hotel, he was Immediately
escorted to the gentlemen's reception
room above, and as soon as the crowd
massed in the street he appeared on the
balcony, leaning upon the arm of Mayor
Leftwich. This was the occasion for a
hearty cheer, which the great vetoer
acknowledged by slight bow The
street was compactly filled in front Of the
hotel, and there were in sight probably
three thousand people. When the
tumult subsidized. Mayor Leftwich ad-
dressed Mr.. johnson, substantially as
follows:
MAYOR LEF7wIcH's ADDRESS.
Mr.. JOHNSON The welcome which it
is my pleasure to extend to you in behalf
of the citizens of Memphis is not one Of
mere Formally. but springs fresh and
pure and warm from the hearts of an sd-
miring and grateful people. Cheers. ]
We receive you with open hands ana
hearts as our long absent friend and fell
low-citizens, whose return TO our midst
links US in memory with the happy past,
and invites thoughts from the gloomy
present toward, we fain would hope, a
brighter future. Renewed cheering.
We have watched with earnest and
prayerful solictude your administration
Of the Government through the most
critical period in its history, and have
admired the moral heroism that sus-
tanned you when, traduced by enemies
and deserted by friends, you stood ever
faithful to the high trust committed to
your keeping-the bold defender Of the
Constitution, as taught by the Fathers
and the champion of liberty, regulated by
written law. Great cheering.
For this defense of our rights and our
liberties, and the rights and liberties Of
our children, we thank you; but even
above this, we honor yen, because, in all
the relations of life, up to the highest
position in the gift of the American peo-
Pile, extending through period unex-
ampled for its corruptions in high places,
your hands have remained unstained by
brides or public plunder, and your char
acter has been preserved so spotless that
even the searching eye OF SANDER failed
to discover blot or blemish thereon.
CHEERS, again aud again renewed May
the aspiring yo4th Of the land, who will
hereafter fill the places of honor and
trust, emulate your noble example, that
they, too, when retiring from official sta.
ton, may receive the meriled well
done, thou good and faithful servant
[Cheers.
We congratulate you on your release
from the cares and anxieties of contest
that mpst prove fruitless till time has
cured the madness OF the hour and we
congratulate the country that Provi-
dence, with more than usual kindness,
has preserved your mental and physical
strength, that you may at the auspicious
moment lend your energies and influence
toward rebuilding the affairs of our an
eient liberties and the reward of that
fraternal harmony, without which our
bond of union is but rope Of sand
But, sir, we must realize that such har-
mopy cannot exist while freeborn citizens
who bear the burdens of government are
deprived of voice in ito political man.
agement. Tremendous cheering
MR. JoHSsoN's RESPONSE.
Mr.. johnson began his reply in an
undertone which even those on the bal
cony could not hear distinctly. tCheers
and cries of "louder." He thanked
the Mayor and the people of Memphis
T 90 allusiop to the City Council for the
catering reception they bad given him.
FCheera. He took i as not emily per
Sonsl tribute from bis old friends, bat an
Endorsement Of biz Official acts. fOheera,
aheers.1 Having Just GONE of q Icing
journey, be felt unable to address them
at present [cheers and be would merely
thank them for their cordial welcome.
+ Cheers, cheers. l must say, however
/ GRAFT applause that on my return to
my adopted 'state--undsP peculiar elf:
cumstances Applause Having gone tie
entire round of ofice-[great applause
Ike. this cordial welcome-and ] know il
IS ecop5id-Mhieh sepgss IeoH ny old
s.;-:Snas4frieGds personally as well as
politicalIy-afer an absence Of four
years, 10 which | have passed through q
greet ordeal--sn ordeal in is nature and
CHARACTER very tryiug-for great oppoai-
ton was manifested TO " my policy and
nv efforts to sustain the Constitution
and uphold the institutions of the
country which | took an oath to uphold
after going the entire round Of Office
such a cordial welcome back to my
sdoptsd stete-spd I feel that This r.
nv own, nay native land such q
cordial welcome, / say, is most gratifying.
loud and long continued cheering. ]
de went on to say that be would not
make a speech, and to speak Of his course
while in Office, and the pleasure be ex-
periepped jn being eManeipsted, as he
Called il, fron the dates Of the kxecu-
tive. he was perfectly satisfied with
bis Oareeri was willing 10 shoulder gone
of the burdens which he had not bean
competent to remove from the people