New-York tribune., 1869-03-12
EX-PRESDENT JoHNSoN's VISIT TO BALTl
MORE

BALTIMORE, March 11.-Ex- President John
arrived here this morning In company with exSena
tor Patterson Of Tennessee, exsecretary Browning
Charles A. Edrdge, and Gooday Of Kentucky to accept
Of the hOspitates of the city, rendered by the City
Council He was received at the Camden Railroad sta
ton by Gov Bowie, Mayor Banks and other municipal
officials About 200 people. mostly of the lowest Glass;
at the depot. and cheered Mr, Johnson who re-
spOnded by the usual flourish Of his hat He was driven
through the town in O barOuche and escorted by
struggling procession OF military and police, many Of
whom appeared ashamed Of what they doing, and
only driven to 1t by being compelled to obey orders
Several civic societies. and the merchants and other or
ganizatons had been invited join in the parade, but
responded by their presence Tho streets through
which tho procession passed were crowded, but
there was a remarkable lack OF enthusiasm, the
column moving along In silence which was broken only
by the music Of the bands and by few frantic but feeble
endeayors at cheers, which always resulted In failure
Johnson 1ourished his hat wildly during the ride, and
seemed to be disappointed by the chilly reception which
he met After struggling through this part OF the pro-
gramme which from its lack OF enthusiasm threw wet
blanket upon the whole affair and turned IL into Tdicule
johnson received citizens for two hours in the rotunda Of
| tho Exchange, during which time the Customs, Revenue
and PostOnce departments bockaded as to pre-
vent the public from entering them to transact business
and much Indignation exists here that Johnsons office
holders should, without authority stop the business Of
their departments to the great incommoding Of the
| public The arrangements for keeping the crowd
| in check were bad, and for two hours there
! was great struggling, scufiling, and occasional
fighting among those trying to push in to shake hands
with Johnson Several persons were badly hurt In the
crush and general fight several times anticipated.
The crowd was mostly composed Of rOughs and loafer
gathered up from the worst quarters Of the city, and con
OF Baltimore An immense force OF police was fully em,
Poyed in keeping order ana had 70 nande & he G ssp%d wa
President among whom were few representatives OF the
respectable and Intelligent class OF Democrats After
the reception over johnson witnessed display OF
the fire department. and called on for speech but
wond not account OF tho absence OF the better class
Dinner was served at 81 o'clock Mr johnson took his
on his left About persons seated, among whom
| were exsecretary Browning, the Hons Garrct Da:
Wisconsin, Randall OF Pennsylvania, Kerr OF Indiana,
s1Goy swami and t6e Hon stevenson Areher OF NJ NARY
cloth having been removed the first toast was "our
Guest" which responded TO by Mr. johnson as fol-
GEsTLEMEY: Tn rising after the resolution has been
read and sentiments thereon expressed U ia not for the
purpose OF making address, but simply TO return
thanks for the compliment. have 10 speech TO make
relative 10 public affairs but what been already
pressed and in rising now t is only 10 tendermy thanks
free say that during the last four years, in the
arduOus struggle gong on for constitutional liberty, IN
its darkest hour the confidence and encouragement of
the State Maryland has been announcement peeu
arly sustaining In its character for when the crisis
| arrived. Maryland seemed TO be always standing
| for the Constitution and tho Union. l repeat
only purpose in rising is 10 tender thanks but VIII
say retiring from the most exalted position in the gift
L
| feel more hOnOred than WOuld tomorrow IN DelIg
President feel more pride In being an American citi
zen tonight than would In being inaugurated President
| over the ruins OF violated Constitution Yes, my de.
| lverance is the greatest case OF emancipation
would would rS rather be free man than President
| aud be n slave The speech You have made me today
ton shall be from my heart and carried with
Accept my thanks not as simple uterauces but as the
Several other toass were given and responded to by
| CAV Royfg
Mr.. Browning was the next toasted. lie thanked the
people OF Maryland for the honor done him. He under
stood that this compliment directed 10 the injured
who headed the table TX hereafter, IN the proV
dence Cod country shall be restored to the benign
Government which the fathers OF the Revolution left
It's heritage, IL will be more indebted to the gallant and
heroic struggle OF Andrew johnson than all other OF
the present day. During four years OF extraordinary
] trial he has exhibited heroism which has no
parallel in the sacrifices OF public men, The toast to him
Is proper and just History will impeach in the future
they who attempted TO impeach him. and viii surely
honor him. thank God he is released from duty and
that il makes him free man. am rcjoiced that am
citizen but It will ever be one Of my proudest
memories that was member OF his Cabinet and that
sustained him In his efforts to restore fraternity
and peace to our afflicted land, to restore our
| Constitution 10 respect thank you lor TINS
fOretaste OF what the future Will pronounce
upon his administration am NOT, never have been
Democrat but was AN old line Whgi but as the Dem
ocrac party has had opportunities 10 take into It's keep
ing the doctrines OF land have often thought OF
calling up that old wing party. II the measures that
Lincoln approved, johnson approved, and his Cabinet
| would have been settled. and to-day we
| would have been the most majestic nation in
|
case and we are to-day worse Off than on the
day of Lees surrender But let us give Grants admins
tratnn fOrbearng supports let us wait hopeful and Tor
bearing and with hostile factOus opposition let MS
give him hearty support. But II the Government be
still left In the hands OF those who wOuld destroy H. Iet
us grappe with him upon the plea OF freedom aud when
the turn lot do duty aud march again into
| the conflict ,,,,, a., ., !,
| Mr. Eldridge on being loudly called for, responded
briefly Several other speeches were made when the
| party broke up. ~,
The Hon Samuel J. Randall OF Philadelphia, during tho
evening nsued aud assaulted Judge Geary OF Baltimore
while he was replying 10 u toast 10 "The Judiciary"
| Randall imagined the Judge To be a relative OF Gov
Geary I was reported that he was slightly intoxicated
! md henco the assault