Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-03-24
JOHNSON.
His Return 10 and Reception at
GreenViIIe.
Grand Popular Demonstration.
The Patriot Defends his Ad-
mfnistFatiOn.


here to-day was a grand and enthusiastic
affair. Arrangements had been made by
the citizens Of his old home, without re-
gard to their past political relations to-
ward him, to give him q welcoming re-
ception due from s people to retiring
President. The matter OF BETTING re-
ception had been long in contemplation,
but the time was 50 short since IL had
been made certainly known that Mr..
johnson would reach Greenville to-day,
the committees had mountains of work
before thsm, but surnounted all difficult
ties with praisewOrthy zeal. The follow
ing named gentlemen composed the va
riOus committees, viz:
COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
Messrs. James c. Mitchell, David Fry
John Beeks and Samuel McGsughey.
The Marshals were G. NJ. Vestal, James
Beeks and David Fry. The Committee
cf Reception, Edwin Henry, A. b. In
gersoll and J. 2. HOltsinger.
A special train passed up to Bristol last
nioht, taking up the Committee OF Re-
eeptiou, who met the eX-President az the
State Line. special trains also left
Knoxville and Bristol, for the sccOmmO-
datiOn Of those desiring to be present at
the reception, who we're carried at hall
fare, through the courtesy OF the railroad
officers. The Knoxville train arrived at
IL o'clock am. The other train from
Bristol, bringing president johnson,
reached here at 3 little after 2 O'clock.
The President was received at the depot
by q large concourse OF psOple, and
among the crowd were number Of beau
tiful young girls, splendidly dressed, VINO
met him IS he stepped from the ears ana
presented him with tastefully arranged
bouquet of flowers, amid the tumultuOus
applause and cheering of the spectators.
The urOcessiOn then formed at the depot
in the following order, under the direc-
ton Of Chief Marshal c. NJ. Vestal:
/. The President and distinguished
nersons in carriages. 2. The various
committees. g. Music. 4. Members. Of
the City Council. 5. Representatives Of
the press. 6. Mem bers Of professions
and clergy. J. Ladies in carriages. ..
The schools. 9. Citizens on foot ana on
horseback. The procession marched TO
the music Of the Knoxville Brass Band,
wbieh mad been engaged for the Oeca-
sion, to a large building On Main street,
on the front balcony Of which the
speeches Of welcome were delivered oy
James Britton, Esq, Hon. Thos. A. R-
Nelson and Maj. +. Henry.
It was expected that Mr.. johnson
would avail himself Of the occasion to
present his views Of she present situation
Of the country somewhat elabOrstely,
but he brit fly confined himself to mat
tsrs relating to his own administration.
ne su,1ks Of his course as President OF
the United states. and SAID ne hdd en-
deovored ever to do HE duty. de had
=. 1FgfFi . \
0,illJ bu7t0dYk Of safety. He spoke OF has
b1,iy1g held eUeTu C6ice in the gift Of the
aleODIs. from Alderman Of our O0n ttttte
fOJga to President Of the United States.
/ and challenged any man TO face h5nl ana
san that he had at any time eUer TsoeiDed
| bribeTy at any OHe's hands. he sdtd ne
| eqraeSfZv tUisIsed there G0ere more men N
! the country lOhO could sag as much. he
! could took that audience IN the face d1id
| ask the questions: Rh6 haze 1 betTdyedt
| Who hare 1 oppresSedF He reiteTateg
/ the sggtinlent ealsncidted IN the Baltimore
| receptiOn, that he felt more pride IN com
ina back to his old home, private cttt
/ zen. than he aUolLid "a being jytdugUrGt66
! President of the United States, O0eT me
4 nina of q UjeEGted CoaSt5tWttoz. He
/ noai,l declt1sed thGt no case Of enoGRcapG-
l ron lUas greater than hss deliVeTdnce,
] since the gOdT. If the Constitution t0Js
/ NOD lgrested from the hands Of the usUrp-
| ers. ia a fee years the Government IOottd
/ be lost, or its SUltOJe character chGRged.
| ne said. in conclusion, that he Jelt proud
in coming back among h5s 0td friends, Ut
/ least 10 help them bear The burdens y ne
/ c0ald not relieve them.
Mr.. johnson was greeted st the close
with loud cheers, Snd was frequently iB-
terrupted with applause in the course OF
! his reply to the welcome. The entire
4 sfFsir passed of very successfully, and
I int one trivial incident occurred in the
| arrangement 81 the order Of exercises
that did not reflect very creditsbiy upon
/ its author. The Mayor OF Greenville
pgremptOriIy refused TO otticisily partici-
nate IN the ceremonies-msking some
| absurd allegation that ex-PresidentJ John-
I soD had gotten himself into an awkward
nredicamept. or something to that effect
and he would have nothing 70 do with
il. but would resign in favor of some
one else. The Mayors refusal was re-
garded as 8 piece Of ill-mannered boor-
isbness, and although officially, IN
measure, the representative Of the town
bis act did not reflect the feelings Of the
citizens OF Greenviile, who delight &c
honor men of Mr.. JohBson's independ'
I enee and patriotism.
The day is to wind up with grand ex'
hihition OF fiIsWOrks this evening, undel
the supervision OF Messrs, William Law
renee, James Willis, 5. Flournoy anu u
. G. Dukes, committee.