Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-03-19
Ex President johnson was the guest Of

Ex President johnson was the guest of
the city of Baltimore on Thursday the 18th
inst. An immense turnout Of citizens well
coined him to the Inequalities Of the city. A
splendid banquet was prepared for the oc-
casion, and participated in by ex-Prcsident
johnson and his accompanying friends, the
mayor, council and city officials and num-
Der Of invited guests.
The following toast being offered:
"Our Guest.-The patriot statesmen, An
drew johnson, as President Of United States,
the hulwark of equal rights, the champion of
the only true and permanent union of these
States, and the defender and martyr Of the
constitution History will vindcate his fame
and record an i'm parchment Of his irnpeachers,
and a verdict of guilty, as to them, by the
votes of future generations Of American
freemen. Baltimore, standing at the gate
of the capital in front of the grand process
sion advancing to meet and welcome an IL
lustrious citizen in the name ofthat long line
Of admiring thousands who await his coming,
bids him welcome to place in the hearts of
a great people, for whose protection and hap
piness he barred his breast to the shafts of
of calumny. and for their sake hazarded all
that is dear to the man and the citizen. In
his retirement from the seat of the national
government in the full vigor of his manly
faculties, stimulated by the applause Of all
good citizens, we look with great assurance
to his future efforts and influence for the Ii
beration of the captive States of the Union,
and the rescue of their now true and faithful
citizens from political slavery. May his life
and destiny ever be radiant in the list of the
long line of American patriots, with the
blessings Of the lovers Of the constitution and
Union, which have always been the glory of
American citizens" Ex-President johnson
responded as follows:
ssGentlemen: In rising after the senti-
mcnt which has been read, it is not for the
purpose of making an address, but simply to
tender my sincere thanks for the compliment
airy manner in which you have been pleased
to refer to myself and to the manner in which
l have been enabled to discharge the duties
of the Executive chair. I have no views to
express in any speech tonight other than
those of which you are already advised, and
I rise now simply to tender my heartfelt
thanks for this expression Of your approba-
ton and for the cordial manner in which I
have been received in your midst.
[ am free to say (while disclaim making
any address, that during the last four years
in the arduous struggle which has been going
on for constitutional liberty, in the darkest,
and gloomiest, and most trying-and | might
say the most periIous---part Of that time, the
encouragement and countenance that l have
received from the citizens of Maryland has
been peculiar and sustaining in its character
to me, [great cheers i for in the most trying
struggle of this crisis, Maryland. when we
looked to her, was found standing by the
constitution and by the union of the States.
Cheers And repeat, [ rise tonight for
the purpose of rendering my thanks for the
many kindnesses have received from the
citizens of Maryland, and especially Of the
city of Baltimore.
And in now retiring from the most exalt-
ed station in the gift Of free people. and
stepping from that position into the ranks
of my fellow-citizens, and helping, or en-
deavoring to help them bear the burdens
which I have not been able to lift from their
I feel more honor and more con-
ISOLATION and more qualification here tonight,
an American citizen, mingling with my fell
of Maryland. than | would in be-
ing tomorrow inaugurated President of the
United States upon the ruins Of 3 violated
Loud cheers.
Yes, my deliverance has been the greatest
case Of emancipation since the rebellion COM
menced. Laughter I stand here tonight,
in your midst, freedman. Yes, freed
man, thank God and I would rather stand
here an American citizen than to be Presi-
dent and be {. slave. Cheers.
I repeat, then, that [ came here to-day
not for the purpose of making an address,
but rather to hear and to be the recipient,
and [ have been the recipient. Yes, you
have made the speech it is not for me to
make it, And the speech you have made to
me here to-day and tonight will be treasured
up and carried with me, as one of my most
cherished recollections, to the last single
pulsation of my heart, which has beat for its
country for the last four years. Cheers
Accept my thanks then, my fellow citizens
not an unmeaning, not a simple utterance
but the sincere thanks of my heart, for the
kindness and for the manifestations Of your
confidence and regard with which you have
received me on this occasion"
A number of toasts were drank and re-
sponded to by distinguished gentlemen pre-
SENT The reception was a grand affair and
passed offin that happy manner, which char
acterizes every thing Baltimore undertakes or
attempts.