The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1869-03-12
THE PILOT.
MANITOW VOC:
Friday, March ~, 1869.
President Johnson's Farewell Address.
Washington March 3.

1tatlon, this day tails from my shoulders, TO
be Immediately assumed by my successor.
For him the forbearance and co operation
Of the American people, in all his efforts to
administer the government within the pale
OF the Federal constitution, are sincerely in,
vited. Without ambition to crafty, party
ends to subserve, or personal Quarrels to
avenge, at the sacrifice of the peace and
welfare of the country, my earnest desire
is to see the cons titution of the republic
again the recognized and obeyed law of the
land, and the whole people, north, south,
east, and heterogeneous and happy I'M
der its provisions.
ln sulrendering the high Office to which
Was called four years ago, in a memora.
bic and terrible crisis, it Is my privilege, l
trust, to say to the people of the United
States a few parting words In vladlcation
OF an official course so ceaSelessiy aSsalled
and aspersed by political leaders to whose
plans and wishes my policy to restore the
union has been obnoxious. In Il period OF
difficulty and turmoil almost without prec
ldent in the history Of the people, conse-
quent upon the closing scenes of great re-
bellIon and the assassination of the presi-
dent, it was, perhaps, too much on my
part, to expect of devoted partisans, who
rode on the waves OF excitement which at
that time swept all before them, that de
gree OF federation and magnanimity which
| sought to recommend and enforce, and
which L believe, In good time, would have
advanced US infinitely further on the road
to permanent peace and prosperity than We
have thus far attained.
| Doubtless, had l. at the commencement
of my term of Office, unhesitatingy lent its
powers, or prevented them, to purposes
| md " ne outSiIa nf tho constitution api
become an instrument to schemes of con-
fscation, and of general and oppressive
disqualification, | would have been hailed
as all that was true, loyal, and deserving, as
the head OF party, whatever l might
have been as the executive OF nation.
Unwilling, however, to accede to the props
osltlons OF extremists, and bound to obey,
at every hazard, my oath to defend the
constitution, L need not, perhaps, be sur
prlsed at having met the fate of others
whose only rewards for unfolding constltu
llonal rights and laws have been the con
sclousnesS OF having attempted to do their
duty, and the calmer judgment OF history.
At the time mysterious providence as
slSued TO me the Office of president, L was,
bs the terms OF the constitution. the com.
mandeI -ln>chlet OF nearly million OF
men under arms. One OF my first acts was
to dlSband, aud restore to the avocatlons OF
civil lie, this immense host, and to dlvesl
meself as far as could, of the unparal
leled powers then incident to the oific and
the times. Whether, or not, in this step,
| was right, and how far deserving OF the
appreciation of all, the people can now, on
reflection, judge, when reminded of the
runious condition of public affairs that
must have resulted from the continuance
In the military service OF such vast mum
Der OF men. The close of our domestic
conflict found the army ready to distinguish
Itself in new field by an effort to punish
European intervention in Mexico. BY
many it was believed, and urged, that aside
from the assumed justice of the proceed
lngs, foreign war, in which both sides
would cheerfully unite to vindicate the
honor OF the Dational flag, and further il
iustrate the national proves, would be the
surest and speedlest way OF awakening na>
tlonal enthusiasm, revlving devotion to the
union, and occupying force concerning
which grave doubts existed as to its willing
ness, after four years of active compaign
ing, at once to return to the pursuits OF
peace. Whether these speculations are
true or false, it will be conceded that they
existed and that the predictions of the
VI
rectlon indicated. Taking advantage of
that feeling, it would have been easy, as
the commander-in chief Of the army, with
all the power and patronage of the presi-
Dental office at my disposal, to turn the
concentrated strength of the nation against
French interference in Mexico, aud to in
augurate a movement which would have
been received with favor by the military
and large portion Of the people. 1t is
proper, IN this connection, that | should
refer to the almost unlimited additional
powers rendered to the executive by the
measures relating to civil rights and the
freedmen 5 Bureau. Contrary to pleci
d1nts IN the experiences of public men, the
powers thus placed within my grasp were
declined, as being violation of the consti-
]. tuition, dangerous to the liberties of the
Rople, and tending to aggravate, rather
lessen, the dlscordS naturally resulting
from from ~ civil war. With large army and
ansmente5 thorlty, 1t would have been
no dltficuit tasE<3a direct, at pleasure, the
Jestinies of the %hspublic, and make SCI
cure nv continuance he highest office
known to our laws. LSSse people whom
am addressing from presidential
chair, during the closing houT3sasa iaDori-
GUS GcTul, CUl>iUcI lUN ulIeIcUI
been the present condition had | yIeT Yea 10
The dazzling temptation of foreign on
! quests, OF personal aggrandlzement, Ehl
the desire to WELD additional power. Net
them, with justice consider that, if | have
not unduy magnlhed mine office, the pub
! lie burdens have not Oecn increased by my
acts, and other and perhaps thousands or
tens OF thousands OF lives sacrificed to vis>
ious of false glory. 1t cannot, therefore,
| be charged that my ambition has been OF
! that ordinary or criminal kind which to
| the deIIment of the people rights and
| liberties, ever seeks to grasp more and UNI
warranted powers, and, to accomplish its
| purpose, panders too often to popular pre-
/ JUDGES and party aims.
! When, then, have been tie aspirations
/ which guided me In my official actsl
Those acts need not at this time. an
! elaborate explanation. They have else
! where been complehensiveIy and fully
! discussed, and become part of the ma
ton 5 history BY them am ready to be
/ judged-knowing that, however imperfect,
they at least show to the Impartial mind my
ambition has been to restore the union of
S ates, faithfully to execute the Office of