The New York herald., 1869-03-24
Ex-PREslDENr JOHNSON Ar HONE.
His Reception by His Old Ffiends-A Speech
ssThere is Life In NE yet.o

ssThere is Life I'm NE YETI,
IGreenve, Tenn, March 2ol correspondence Of the
Knoxville Press and Heraldl
At halfpast six A. NJ. the special tram for Green
VILE left Knoxville amid q driZzling rain which
lasted until shortly after our arrival at the former
city. large number OF prominent gentlemen and
old friends OF Mr.. Johnson were passengers, aud
their number steadily increased by fresh accessons
al every station until the train crowded by the
Among the Knoxville delegation we noticed those
two stanch conservatives Colonel I. A. X. Nelson
and Colonel John Williams.
We found a large crowd around the depot In
Greenvle. The Knoxville Brass Band was discours-
thronged by ladies', while maidens in angelic
white, crowned with wreaths OF flowers &C.
cuped covered archway In readiness to
NEE; the coming guest The business men Of
the towns along the railroad, and most OF
the yeomanry OF East Tennessee awaited with impa-
tience the arrival OF .Andy Johnson The depot,
be attached were decorated with the national coors
Ile ram which had fallen IN an mcessant drizze
since daylight now ceased. The shril whistle OF the
engine OF the special train, denoting the coming OF
the ex-PresidenJ and his party, created sensation
among the assembage aud as the train came ia
sight decorated with nags and stopped ia front OF
the depot building, anu the well known form OF
.Andyn stepped on the platform, the vast crowd
broke forth into tumultlous applause the men
cheering, the ladies waving handkerchiefs ami
every one who could lay nold OF DAG waving It Wig
orousy. As Mr.. Johnson stepped on the platform OF
the depot he was welcomed by maldefs In white
dresses, who presented him with bouquet
The ex-President gracefully replied TO the compli
ment, and spent few minutes chatting with friends
The procession then formed, and the President en-
tering barouche, the cortege moved 10 the Court
House. Mr. Johnson entered and after q few
minutes, in answer TO the repeated and vociferous
calls. appeared on the front porch. Major James
Britton welcomed the distinguished guest to Green.
The ex-presldent was introduced by Hon. T. A. r.
Nelson.
As Mr.. johnson was presented he was received
with deafening cheers.
lie spoke as follows:-
Ex-PBBsIDENr JoHNsoS's SPEECH AT HOME.
EEIInW CITIyENS.--Iu "A m haf won al "a
so long an absence, the reception and cordial wei.
come 1 have received incapactates me from giving
proper expression to my emotions. There Is no
place Ike nome. The poet well exclaims:
Who never 70 himself hath said,
This IL is my own my native landS
He spoke or the time, now far back In personal
past when yet young, he had come to Greenvilc:
epokes OF his early tolls and early ASSOCIATIONS with
many of those present, though many more were not
there. He said he had always relied upon the people
OF Greenvlle and had never been disappointed. Step
by step he had gone the oficial round. (;reenyie
mad given him the first ONCE he ever fed-in ls3s
ms alderman and next Mayor. He then mentioned
passed up to the Presidency In all OF which he
had received their support lie spoke OF his career
as President. lie. had tried to discharge his
duty regardless OF the consequences to himself,
and he must here be permitted TO say, after
going all the round OF ofcial trust unparalleled In
ask:-aAt whose hands have I ever received bribe
throughout this whole routinef 1challenge any and
ali calumniators OF mine 70 place their finger upon
single stain upon my ofcial character. With The
consciousness OF having done my duty, can loos
this audience in the lace and ask, whom have
betrayed Whom have defrhudedw
he said he had no Intention 10 make speech ON
returning TO their midst into the ranks OF American
citizenship, he desired 70 show his willingness to
bear the bonds now resting upon them. lie felt more
honor in his present position than, he would
feel Tomorrow In reinauguration. He had nc
purpose 70 talk politics. No time for that now.
no parties now. He warned the people that danger
approaches the existence OF the constitution already
denied or thrust In the background by the dominant
party and an arbitrary Congress- which assumes Its
party differences divide us but IL II now question
of government Of constitution and law on the one
hand or despotic power on the other. The people
had better have prince or king ruling over them
than an arbitrary body enactna laws and measures
20 unwarrantable and terrible IN character, great