Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1869-03-12
ANDREW JOHNSON,
HIS FdreWeU 1ddl'eSs to tie
american People.
E1e Touches up Congress in his Peeu-
Iinr SINIe.
And vindieates ti,e Integrity of his
PubIic Life.
An Able. scadhiDg and Eloquent DOcu
nesiL.
WASHINGTON, March :

WASHINGTON, March 3.
To the Peopls Of the United States
The robe Of office, by constitutional limi-
tation, this day tails from my shoulders, to
be immediately assumed by my successor.
For him the forbesrance and cooperation of
the American people in all his efforts to ad-
minister the Government within the pale Of
the Federal Constitution are sincerely in
yoked. Without ambition 10 graufys pal y
ends to subserve, or personal quarrels TO
aveuge TO the sacrifice of the peace and
welfare Of the country, nay earnest desire
is to see the Constitution of the Republic
again recognized and obeyed as the supreme
law of the land, and the whole people
North, South, East, ana West-prosperous
and happy under its wise provisions.
In surreudering the high office to which
| was called four years ago, in memorable
and terrible crisis, il is my privilege, ] trust,
to say TO the people of the United States n
few parting words in vindication Of an off,
cial coui Sc 81 ceaselessy asSailed and OPP
posed by political leaders 10 whose plans
and wishes my policy 10 restore the Union
has been obnoxious. In period of difficulty
aud turmoil, almost without precedent in
the history of any people, consequent upon
the closing scenes of great rebellion and
the assassination Of the President, il was
perhaps too much on my part TO expect of
devoted pariisans who rode on the waves OF
excitement, which at that time swept all
before them, that degree Of liberation and
lmagnanimiiy which sought to recommend
and enforce, and which 1 believe 10 good
time would have advanced us infinitely fur
ther on tho road to permanent peace and
prosperity than we have thus far attained.
Doubtless had | at the commencement OF
my term of Office unhesilatingly lent its
powers or perverted them to purposes and
plans outside Of the Constitution and be-
come an instrument to schemes OF cOufsca-
tion and Of general and oppressive disquali-
fication, would have been hailed as all that
was true and loyal and deserving as the re-
liable head Of a party whatever l might
have been as the Executive of nation.
Unwiaib &, however, to accsde to the propo-
| sitons OF extremists and bound to obey at
every personal hazard my oath to protect
| and defend the Constitution, / need not
| perhaps be surprised at having met the fate
| Of others whose only reward Tor uphotdiDg
constitutional rights and laws have been the
| conscientousneSs Of having attempted to do
their duty A mysterious Providence has
I assigned 10 me the Office Of President. l
was, by the terras Of the Constitution, the
Communicates. chief OF nearly million OF
| men nnder arms. Ode of my fist acts wls
o. disband snd restore to the. vacations OF
! life This immense host, aud TO divest myself
| as far as could, of the unparalleled powers
/ then incident to the office. Whether OF
not in this step was right, and how far de-
/ serving Of the appreciation OF the people
/ rhey can now, on reflrctioa, judge, when
reminded OF the ruinous condiuOn of public
I haty raaultal from tlH
continuance Ia the military service OF snch
a vast numbep of men. The close OF oul
domestic conflict found the army eager tC
distinguish itself IN "A now field by an ~ M
To punish European intervention In Mexico
By many il was believed aud urged tta
aside from the assumed justice of the pro
/ ceedings foreign war, Ia which Dolh s'de'
| would cheerfully unite to vindicate the
honor of the National dog and further llns
trate the National proves, wonld be inc
sures. aud speediest way OF awakening Ma
tieual enthusiasm, reviving devotion 10 th'
Union, aud occupying force concernin;
which grave doubts existed as to MS wllilng
M SIS. after four years OF active camphgu
ing, at once 10 return 10 the pursuits 0
peace. Whether these speculauons were
true or false, II will DO conceded that thel
existed, and that the predictions Of tn
army we're for, tho time being IN the direc
tiou indicated.
Taking advantage of that feeling II woul'
have been easy AS Commander-lh-C hiei o
the army and navy. with all the powers an'
patronage of the Presidential Office at m!
disposal, to turn the concentrated slrengtl
of the nation against French interference
in Mexico, and To inauguvste moyemen
which would have been received with tayo
by the military and large portion OF th
people. II il proper in TINS connection wa
/ should refer To the almost unlimited addi
tional movers rendered 10 the Executive d,
tho measures relating TO civil rights and tn
Freedmen'S Bureau. 80
The powers that were placed WITHIN m,
grasp we're declined as be ne in violation q
tho Constitution, dangerous 10 the hoefue
Of the people, aud tending 10 a8graVat
rather than lrssen the discUrds nalnrall
resutine from our civil war. WIN ials
arsay aud augmented authority, u "oul
nave been 10 difficult task To direct .
pleasure tho destiuies Of the TePnbilc' an
make secure nay continuance In the hlshes
Office known to onr laws. Let tue peopl'
whom / en- addressing from the freAoehu'
lchair during the closing hours u lAoo,loe
,,r,o consider how different would hay
y heen the present condition OF affairs had
vislded 10 The dazzling invitation OF foreig
copauests. oil personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, al
drsirs to Weld additional power