Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1869-03-19
Ex-President Johnson's Reception in
Baltimore.

Inc cN-IfcSlucnt was received amid
much enthusiasm in tho Monumental
City. There was q procession Of the
military, the fire-men, and q general
turnout of the people. At the ban
qnet, the following toast was offered,
and the ex-President responded as ap-
pended:
Or Guest-Thc patriotic statesman,
Andrew Johnson, as President Of the
United States, the bulwark of equal
trights the champion Of the only true
and permanent union Of the States,
and tho defender and martyr of the
Constitution. History will vindicate
his fame and record All impeachment
of his impcachcrs. and verdict of
guilty as to them, by the votes of fu-
ture generations of American fcmen.
Baltimore, standing at the gate OF the
Capital, in front Of Of the grand pro-
ccssion advancing to meet and wei
come an illustrous citizen in the name
of that long line of admiring thous-
ands who await his co hing, bids him
welcome to a place in tho hearts Of a
great people, for whose protcc-
tion and happiness he barred his breast
to the shaft of calumny, and for
; them hazarded all that is dear to the
man and the citizen. In his retire
ment from the seat of the National
Government in the full vigor of his
manly faculties, stimulated by the ap-
plauso Of all good citizens, we look
with great assurance to his fnturc cf.
forts and influence for the liberation
Of the captive States of the Union,
and the rescue Of their now true and
faithful citizens from political slavery
May his life and destiny ever be radi-
ant in the list Of the long line Of
American patriots, with the blessings
Of tho lovers of the Constitution and
Union, which have always been the
glory Of American citizens.
President johnson said:
OENTLEMEN: In rising after the SCH
timcnt which has been read, it is not
for the purpose of making an address,
simply to tender my sincere thanks for
the complimentary manner in which
you have been pleased to refer to my
self and to the manner in which J
have been enble to discharge the du-
ties Of the Executive chair. l have
no views to express in my speech to-
night, other than those of which you
are already advised, and I rise now
simply to tender my heartfelt thanks
for this expression of your approba-
ton and for the cordial manner in
which | have received in your midst.
am free to say, (whilc I disclaim
making any address,) that during the
last four years in the arduous struggle
which has been going on for constitu-
tional liberty, in the brightest and
gloomiest, and most trying-and !
might say, the most pcrilous-part Of
that time, the encouragement and
|countenapce that have received from
the citizens Of Maryland, has been pc.
culiar and sustaining in it's character
to me, (great cheers ( for in the most
trying struggle of this crisis, Mary.
land, when we looked , to her, was
found standing by the Copstitution
and by the union of the States. And
repeat, rise tonight for tho
,fpurpose eftendering my thanks fol
! the many Kindness I have received
from the citizens Of Maryland, ant
especially of the city of Baltimore
And in now retiring from the most
i exalted station in the gift Of a free
3 people, and stepping from that posi-
j tion into the, ranks Of by fellow-citi
4 1zens, and helpiug them; ;:or, endeavor
ing to helping them bear the BURDEN
which I have not been able to lift from
!: their shoulders, I feel. more honor AMI
!, consolation, and more qualification
: here tonight, an American citizen
d minglihg with my fellow-eitizens o
}: Maryland, than'I would in being to
f morrow inaagufated President of th
= United States upon the ,rnins Of a Vic
; lated Constitutiou,, Yes, my. delive,
}, ancc has been the greatest case o
) emancipation since the rebellion com
|, lmeHced. i stand here tonight, i
I-1your midst, a freedman. Yes q freed
j man, thank God and I would rathe
Q stand AsEs an E,nefiSan eiGzsn tia
81 is be President and be d slave: i / Il q
-Ipeat, then, that I cameihers to-day nd
q for the purpase Of making an address
rshhut. .rather,toy hear end ,bs,tAearecipi
j. .fents Ind have beeH the recipien
II ffss, yoa have made the speech! 1t
J. .@not for .1as asnats. nj And 9Th
isa}spsseh you have dssotmes here To
) fd % r. ana u night win bs treasure
1fup5 carried with me, aasena. of al
3 Ifn9se sssrriiss sl;ris ssksa ,,Sst ttsna stS Ah
1lisss singass tuisasio1 ofsssny 5aah;sr
asl eKs saeKs hI I btss O. fe i . its .fshs 6