The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1869-03-17
Johnson's Farewell Address.

W WASHINGTON, March 4 1862
To the People Of the United States
The robe Of office, by constitutional limitation, this
day falls from my shoulders be immediate assumed
| b. my succrssGr. For him the forbearance and CO.
admnise er The Government within the pale Of the Fed
cral Constitution are sincerely invoked Without am
bition to crafty, party ends to subserve per sonal
quarrels to avenge to the sacrifice OF the peace and
welfare OF the country my earnest desire is to the
Constitution of the Republic again recognised and
obeyed the supreme law Of the land, and the whole
people-Nnrth South, East and West-prosperous and
happy under its wise provisions.
In surrendering the high office to which was called
four years ago, in memorable and terrible crisis, it
is my privilege trust, to say to the people of the
United States few parting words in rinacation of an
official course so ceaselcssly assaied and opposed 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 people consequent upon the closing
OF great rebellion and the assassination of the
President 1t was perhaps too much my part to
pec devoted partisans who rode the waves of ex-
citcment, which at that time swept all before them
that degree OF federation and magnaninitr which
sought to recommend and enforce, and which believe
in good time would have advanced us Infinitely further
the road to permanent peace and prosperity than
we have thus far attained.
Doubtless had | at the commencement of my term
of office unhesitatngly lent its powers perverted
them to purposes and plans outside of the Constitution
and become instrument to schemes of coniscation
and OF general and oppressive disqualification, would
have been hailed all that true and loyal and de-
serving as the reliable head Of party, whatever
lng however to acctde to propositions of extremists
md bound to obey every personal hazard my oath
to protect and defend the Constitution, need not per-
haps be surprised at having met the fate of others
whose only reward for nphoding constitutional rights
and laws have been The conscienouSness of having at
tempted to do their duty, and the ca:er Judgment of
history.
A mysterious Providence had assigned to me the Of
fee of President was, by the of the Constitu-
tion the commanderinc CT nearly million of men
under arms One of my first acts was to dsband and
restore to the vocaops of civil life this immense host
and to dvcst myself far as could, of the unparal
led powers then incident to the Office Whether not
in this step was right, and how far deserving of the
appreciation of the people, they reflection
Judge. when reminded OF the ruinous condition of pub
lie affairs that must have resulted from the continuance
III the military service OF such vast number of
The close of our domestic conflict found the eager
to distinguish itself in field by an effort to pun
ish European Intervention in Mexico
By many it was believed and urged that aside from
TIE assumed justice of the proceedings, foreign war;
i'll which both sides would chcerfuy nnite vndicate
the horror of the national flag and further illustrate the
national proves, would be the surest and speediest
way OF awakening national enthusiasm, revivng devo-
ton to the Union, aud occupying force concerning
which grave doubts existed to its willingness, after
the pursuits of peace. Whether these speculations
true false, it will be conceded that they
listed, and that the predictions of the army for
the time being in the direction indicated.
Taking advantage of that feeling it would have been
easy, as commander chief of the army and navy
with all The powers and patronage of the Presidential
of the nation against French interference in Mexico
and TO inaugurate movement which would have been
received with favor by the military and large portion
of the people 1t is proper in this connection that
should refer to the almost unlimited additional powers
rendered to the Executive by the relating to
civil rights and the Freedmen's Bureau
The powers that were placed within my grasp were
declined being in violation of the Consti tuition dan
gerous the liberties of the people, and tending ag
gravae rather than lessen tae discords naturally
sutng from civil With u large army and
augmented authority it would have been no difficult
task to direct at pleasure the destnes of the Republic
and to make my continuance in the highest of
flee known to our laws. Let the people, whom am
addressing from the Presidential chair during the clos
would haze been the present condition of affairs had
yielded to the dazzling invitation of foreign conquests
of personal aggrandsenlen and desire to WELD add
tional power.
Let them with jnsce consider that if have not un-
duly magnihed my office, the public burdens have not
been increased by my acts and perhaps thousands or
CT thousands of lives sacrificed to visions of false
glory 1t Cannot therefore, be charged that my amb-
tion has been of that ordinary criminal kind which,
to the detriment of the peoples rights and lberes
seeks to grasp unwarranted powers to accomplish
its purposes and pander to popular prejudice and party
aims.
What them have been the aspirations which guided
me in my official acts? Those acts need this
time elaborate explanation They have everywhere
part of tie nations history. By them am ready to
be judged, knowing that however imperfect they at
least show to the impartial mind that my sole ambition
to restore the Union of the States, faithfully
cute the Office of President and to the best of my ab
ity protect and defend the Constitution. cannot be
censured my acts have been mpeded in the interests
of party faction and If policy which intended to
0f hath