New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-03-22
EX-PRESIDENT JOHNSON.
HIS RECEPTION AT LYYCHBURG, vA.-IIIs ARR
VAL HOME.

HIS RECEPTION AT LYNCHBURG, yA.-II1s ARR
VAL HOME.
EX-President Johnson arrived at Lynchburg
Va, Friday. and was met at the depot by q larg
crowd OF citizens and escorted to his hotel The rout
was lined with spectators In the evening banquet
given in the Norvill House, at which the Thos
Bocock presided. After the repast over the frs
toast given paid glowing tribute "to the patriotism
the craftsmanship and the ability Of Mr. Johnson" 70
which be responded substantially follows:
In allusiOn TO the late struggle have little or nothing
to say but as private citizen there can he no objection
TO my expressing the feelings OF conscious pride which
have felt within the past two weeks at the words OF ap
probation which have come TO me. Much has been sand
men, But will call attention TO the greatest OF
emancipation that had taken place since the You
for the last four years the greatest slave in the United
States. now rejoice that stand forth freedman.
here in your midst IN the enjoyment Of that freedom And
feowczens in being emancpated from the arduous du.
the people and helping them to bear the burdens which
have not been able to from their shoulders II
second time over the ruins OF violated Constitution
When came into power ere the passions of war had sub,
sided, II was my nigh aspiration TO restore peace and
harmony 10 our distracted country. / commenced first
at the pont nj which Won accented the terms of the sur.
render-hOping that by kind aud cOncatOry policy
the seeded States would their former posi-
ton In the Union My object was as speedily as possible
TO restore peace and harmony and close the breach
which divided the country. Up TO the XXXIXth Con
gess the work had been well nigh completed Senators
and Representatives from the South knocking for
admttance But there again the breach began widen
will not 20 into the particulars of what ensued The
difficulties are familiar 10 you oil. The events have
passed INTO history and by II the future will Judge But
what have failed TO do President Will still endeayor
70 do n private citizen-ad In bringing about peace
and good feeling to the country may not be ~ hopeful
be saved. and still do not despair. My confidence
in tho wisdom and virtue OF the people Is strong.
have all abiding trust that the time viii come when thus
tyrannical power will disintegrate and the Constitution
and the laws assume their wOuted sway. True, when
looked 20 the groatapathy with which the people regarded
the acts OF Congress, II was moro alarming IN my mimi
than anything that had happened. But hope TO see
that apathy give way to stern awakng to tho peris
and duties OF the hOurwhen the people Will rise In their
power and YndiCate their violated rights. repeat that
have enjoyed real satisfaction In the past two
weeks than in the four years OF my Administration Mr..
johnson then spoke OF the aEgesons OF Congress on tho
other branches of the Government and its usurpaons
exercising powers said he which kings would trcmble to
wlod He also alluded TO the enormous expenses OF the
Government and tho burden OF taxation which the peo
pie called on 10 bear IN this connection he snid
corruption permeates every department of the Govern
mcnt and In retiring from Office lie felt that he might ex
"when vice prevails ana iupons men bear sway
The post Of honor the private station"
In retiring TO my rural home shall bear in mind the
do no more will pray for my country. Then, gentle
men, please accept my thanks for this cordial welcome
and generous hospitality.
A public reception held the next day, and the
Presidential party left for Tennessee
On Saturday Mr. johnson arrived at Greenvilo. Tenn
his old residence number OF citizens had assembled
to do honor to the e1Chief Magistrate Tho reception
address was delivered by Col. Nelson. Mr. Johnson In
reply said that chs administration had been tenn
pestnous because he had been battling for the Consttu
tOn but that he was only bent but not broken by the
storm He had laid aside his official robes and would
remain n private citizen" Mr. Johnson will yist KnoI
Vile and Nashville In a few days.