Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-04-10

az ever on public occasions conducted
themselves with the utmost decorum,
aud presented handsome appearance.
Then came the earrisge containing the
ex- President, in which was also John
Williams, OF Knoxville, Hugh Douglas,
OF this city, and Geo. J. Stubblefield, OF
EdgefeId. Then followed q number of
colored men on foot, q German delegs-
ton on foot, the butchers OF the city on
horseback, other citizens mounted, and
citizens on foot. Then followed large
numb r OF buggies, hacks and other
vehicles, all crowded.
The procession moved up Court street
to Sumner, through Sumner to Cedar,
down Cedar to the Public Square, around
the Square to College, down College TO
Church, and up Church to the st. Cloud
Hotel.
Along the entire route through which
the procession passed, the sidewalks and
houses were crowded, and in many places
flags were displayed from the buildings.
Notwithstanding the efforts Of tn , Radi-
cal leaders to prevent the colOred people
from making their appearance, they
seemed to take very active interest In
the reception, and upon every corner
large crowds Of colored men and women
cOngregated. In some instances they
appeared to be running over with ex-
element, and wild with joy. The man
ner in which they acted, and their re-
marks along the line show but too
plainly that Andrew Johnson is still re-
membered, and holds warm place in
their affections.
During the march through the city Mr..
johnson bowed TO the people on the
right and left, and occasionally an old
friend would rush up to the carriage, and
shake him cordially by the. hand.
Arriving at the st. Cloud Hotel; Mr..
JOHNSON was conducted to the balcony
in the second story, and there had occa-
sion to leok upon the immense crowd
that had collected to see and hear him.
His very looks told that he was moved
at the ovation rendered him, and highly
appreciated the warm and cordial vel
come.
10 behalf Of the delegation who pro-
ceeded to Murfreesboro, Judge John G.
Gaut stepped forward, and made the
welcoming address, as folloWsi
JUDGE GAUT's WELCOMING ADDRESS.
Hon. Andrew Johnson, OF Tennessee, and ex-
President of the United States OF America:
Sir-Phe citizens of Nashville, through
me, their humble representative, tender
10 you the hospitslities OF their city, and
cordially welcome you to the capital Of
your State.
When you entered upon the grave re-
sponsibilities OF the Presidency Of the
United States in 1865, the whole country,
from ocean to ocean, was in eOmmotion,
intensified by the shifting and changing
sceEes Of the bloody civil war then draw
ing to its finsl end. The South had been
overrun and desolsted, the people ru-
ihed and Impoverished, and famine and
want pervaded the whole land. Civil
government In those States was suspen-
ded, and they were reduced to state of
anarchy and chaos. The duty devolved
upon you, as the chief executive Of the
nation, to recognize civil government In
those States, and to restore their former
relations TO the Ulion, aud to restore
law and order for the benefit OF the peo-
pie.
We, the people Of Tennessee, looked
to your administration, from its begin
ming down to yeur farewell address to
the American people at it's close, with
inexpressibe anxiety and sOllcitude.
The sad experience OF the recent psst
has prepared IL to fully appreciate the
blessinSs Of q wise and magnanimous
S late government, with equal liberty and
privileges to all. We saw in your ad-
lniuistEation that you, as the chief ex-
ecutive, took the constitution for your
guide, the instrument made and pre-
pared by our fathers and patriots, under
which we bsd grown and prOspered and
become Q great nation, the instrument
that you hsd solennly sworn before
-, h. Of RI
support, protect and defend. You held
that instrument up to the American peo-
Die as the charter of their liberty, and
the supreme law of the land which all,
in and out.ef authority, were bound to
respect anSk9bey, and yield implicit obe-
dence and allegiance TO its sacred pro-
visionP.
With pain and regret have we seen
the spirit 4 faction, hate and revenge
triumph over your solemn warnings and
sscs ooCnsels and advice, and in plain
violation, as We Thick, OF the Constitu-
ton, and subversive Of republican prin-
cioles. But in the midst of the raging
factions, when the Government seemed
to be in danger, we are proud to be able
to say that, at all times, we beheld you,
the chief Executive of the nation, calm
and serene, with q firmness and moral
courage never before excelled in history,
holding up in one hand the Constitution
as the supreme law OF the land, and in
the other the rights and liberties Of the
people, and imploring their preservation,
And last of all, but not the least, we
saw you pass through the fiery ordeal tc
the end Of your official term, and lay
down your robes of office and step from
the exalted position of President of the
United States to that of private citizen
of the State of Tennessee without stain
or blot upon your honor, your integrity
or your patriotism. Therefore, we thrice
welcome you to our city 10 psrtRke of it:
hospitality, and we assure you, sir, that
you are in The house OF friends.
Ex-PREsIDENT JOHNsoN's SPEECH.
| Mr.. Chairman shall not attempt
on this occasion to make a response tC
/ the address that you have made, convey
| ing your feelings and sentiments and al
| those whom you have the honor to rep
resent. All that can do on this Occa
| sion, even if were disposee to speak
on account of my health, would be simp
! ly to make an apology Ia not addressing
! you in reply to what has been said to
day. Indeed, were l able to speak and
! disposed to do so, the complimentary
manner and the cordial welcome whict
has been offered here to-day is well cal
! culated to incspacitate me from the per
formsnce of that duty. All ! will or Car
ssy on this occasion will be to thank yOI
for the cordial welcome. In returning
to the capital Of nay own adopted State
| to receive such a welcome and mani
festation of respect is peculiarly crafty
| ing to me under the circumstances. Tn,
| last four years, which, as you are aware
have separated US, have been occupied
! in strife and contention in regard to tn,
! first principles of the government. ThiI
| shall not undertake to discuss on thii
occasion but in response to what haI
! been said in reference to the COnstitutior
/ Of my country which / was sworn Il
support, protect and defend, let me say
to you mere to-day, it has been done il
| fidelity and to the utmost OF my ability
! TCheers. Although l have been inca
pahle OF resisting the encroachmeuti
upon the 6rst principles Of fre'
| goverumsnt, and in removing from
your shoulders expressions ans
! burdens too heavy to be borne
and TO which you have almost too
| patiently submitted, loud cheers / viii
Say in this connection, although / hsvt
been unable to do this, feel that / havt
done one thing which would be enougl
! IN crafty One man When / was inau