Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-03-04
Address from President Johnson.

An -1ttUTtSS 20 tEP cope ~ utr 1 HNtt 'ctottN'
The robe of Office, by constitutional limitation
this day falls from my shoulders, to be immc-
diately assumed by my successor. For him
the co-operatioa and forbeqrance OF the Amer
lean people, in all his etfnts to administer the
Government within the pale OF the Federal
Constitution, are sincerely invoked. Without
ambition to crafty, party ends to suoserve, or
personal auarrels to avcnge at the sacrifice OF
the peace and welfare Of the country, my earn
est desire is to see the Constitution, as de-
| fined and limited by the fathers OF the Repub-
lie. again recognized and oteyed az the SUI
preme law of the land, and the whole people,
| North, South, East and West, prosperous and
happy under its wise provisions
Surrendering the high Office to which | was
called four wears ago at memorable aud terri
bic crisis, it is my privilege, trust, to say to
the people of the United States q few parting
words in vindication ofsan ofidal course so
ceaseicssly assailed and aspersed BY political
leaders to whose plans and wishes my policy
to restore the Union has been obnoxious.
In period OF difficulty and turmoil almost
without precedent in the history of any people
consequent upon the closing scenes OF great
rebellion, and the assassination OF the then Pres
| dent, it was perhaps too much on my part to
expect of devoted partisans, who rode on the
the waves of excitement which at that time
swept all before them, that degree OF liberation
and magnanimity which | sought to recon-
mend and enforce, aud which, | 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 |, at the commencement OF my
term OF Office, unhesitatingly lent its powers,
or perverted them to purposes and plans out
side OF the Constitution, and become an instru,
ment to schemes of confscation, ofgeneral and
oppressive disqualification, | would have been
hailed as all that was true, loyalsand discern.
ing as the reliable head of party, whatever
might have heen as the Executive OF the ma
ton. Unwilling, however, TO accede to the
propositions of extremists, and bound to ad-
here, at every personal hazard, to my oath TO
defend the Constitution, | need not perhaps,
be surprised at having met the fate OF Others
whose only rewards for upholding constitution
al law have been the consciousness OF hay
ing attempted to do their duty, and the cab
and unprejudced judgment OF history.
AT the time 4 mysterious Providence assign
I'd to me the Office OF President was by
the terms Of the constitution the commander
ia chief Of nearly million Of men under arms.
One OF my first acts was to disband and restore
to the vacations Of civil life this immense host,
and to divest myself, so tar as | could, OF the
unparaled powers then incident to the office
and the times. Whether or not, IN this step,
| was right, and how far deserving Of the ap
probation OF the people, all can now on reilec
ton Judge, when reminded OF the ruinous con
dition OF public affairs that must have resulted
from the continuance in the military service OIL
such vast number of men.
The close of our domestic conflict found the
army eager to distinguish itself in new field
by an effort to punish European interventiol
in Mexico. BY many it was believed and urged
that, aside from the assumed justice Of the pro
ceeding, foreign war, in which both sides
would cheerfully unite to vindcate the honor
of the national flag and further illustrate the
national prowess would he the surest and
speedieSt way otawakening national enthusiasm
reviying devotion to the Union, and occupying
force concerning which grave doubts existed
as to it's willingness, after tour years OF actual
campaigning at once to return TO the pursuits
of peace Whether these s2eculatlons were
true or false, it will be conceded that they exis
ted, and that the predictions OF the army were
for the time being in the direction indicated.
Taking advantage OF this feeling, it would have
been easy, as the Commander inChiei of the
Army and Navy, and with all tho power and
patronage OF the Presidential office at my dis
posal, to turn the concentrated military strength
of the nation against French interference in
| Mexico, and to inaugurate movement which
would have been received with favor by the
military and q large portion OF the people.
1t is proper, in this connection, that shoulC
refer to the almost unlimited additional power,
rendered to the Executive by the measures re
Iating to civil rights and the Freedmen
Bureau. Contrary to most preceden,s in the
experiences of public men, the powers thus
placed within my grasp were declined as in VIC
la.iou Of the Constitution, dangerous to tho
liberties Of the people, and tending to aggra
vate rather than lessen the discords naturally
resulting from our civil war. With large
army aud augmented authority, it would have
been no difficult task to direct, at pleasure
, the dest;nies of the Republic, and to make Sc
cure my continuance in the highest office known
to our laws.
Let the people. whom | am addressing frou
the Presidential chair during the closing hours
, of a laborious term, consider how different
would have been their present condition had
yielded to the dazzling temrtatl)n OF torelPr
conquest, OF personal ACKNOWLEDGMENT, and TIT
desire to WELD additional power Let them
with Justice, consider that il have not unduly
r "magnifed mine office" the public burden.
have not been increased by my acts, and other
, and perhaps thousands or tens OF thousands Of
lives sacrificed to visions OF false glory L
, caunot, therefore, be charged that my ambition
has been OF that ordinary or criminal kline
which, to the detriment OF the people right
S and liberties, seeks 10 grasp more and unwar
e ranted powers, and, to accomplish its purposes
panders too often, stoAspopular prsjudices ant
] party aims.
: What, then, have been the aspirations which
have guided me in my official acts? These act
, need nor, at this time. an elaborate exp lana
ton They have been elsewhere comprehen
sivey stated apd fully discussed, and become
a part OF the nations history. BY them | an
, willing to be judged, knowing that, however
| imperfect, they at least show the impartla
mind that my sole ambition has been to restore
the Union of the States, faithfully to execute
the office of President, and to the best OF my
) ability to preserve, protect and defend the Con
stitutiop. cannot be censured If my effort
have been impeded in the interests of party
faction, and it a policy which was intended tc
| reassure and concate the people Of both sec
tions of the country was made the occasion o
iphaming and dividing still further those who
only recently in arms against each other, yet