The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-02-25
THE RETIRING PRESIDENT.
His Last Public Words as the Occupant
of the White House.

The committee appointed by the City Coun-
ellis of fillmore to present to President john
son copy Of aresolutioa passed recently, IL
viting him 10 visit Baltimore on his return to
Tennessee, called upon the President on Mon
day morning. In response to the remarks OF
Mayor Banks the President said:
Gentlemen Of TIE Comna,ttee-I have no res
ponse to make on this occasion further than to
express the feelings awakened IN me by the
remarks you have made in presenting the reso-
luton adopted by tho councils OF your city,
and in dong so shall confne myself to re-
turning my sincere aud heartfelt thanks Tor
the high compliment you have been pleased to
pay me. 1t would be dong myself injustice to
affect ind florence to the evidence given hero
to-day that my conduct as public servant is
approved OF by my fellow citizens. 1 do feel
fattered and much gratlfcd at this apprecla-
tion Of my services, coming as 1t does from SO
Intelligent and estimable source. thank you
most cordially I thank you heartily and sincere
ly for the words Of comfort and commentator
you have given me. Language cannot give ut
terance to the gratitude that fills my heart.
To feel that SO many OF my Intelligent and
patriotic feow-citiZenS should thus manifest
for me feeiug Of regard as am stepping out
of power, is pledge so rare that will rcmem-
Der it to the latest day o. my life. must be
permitted to add, and do it not from spirit
of yaplty or egotlsm, that [ feel more highly
honored in laying down tho authority which
has been entrusted to my keeping than l did
when first assumed it. / am glad to take
my place once more among the people, II
whom my trust has ever been placed, and IL
can say that. although have not been ablo to
restore 10 them the blessings of peace and
prosperity to be fourd only in q faithful adhc-
renee to the constitution OF cur country,
have always kept that sacred Instrument as mv
guide. Nv sole AIN has been tor Its preser-
yution and the permanent good OF the whole
country.
feel more prido in comlng of the people,,
and of bearing IN common with them my share
of the burdens which all Of Us are called upon
to endure, than would feel in any Office OF
honor and profit that could be conferred upon
me. Let US, then, keep always in vieT the
constitution, which should ever command our
highest respect and reverence; Tor wncn re-
spect for it vanishes, where shall we look tor
succor? 1 have frequently said heretofore that
my only aim was the preservation of The cor
stitution and the advancement OF the public
good I repeat it here, now that am about
surrenderinS the powers OF the Chiet Execu-
tive, all ia gone unless the constitution OF oIr
country is saved; and it should be savsd with
out the shedding of blood. 10 me civil honors
arc Ear more agreeable than the lnccuse that
arises from tho tield of carnsgc- l mus he
permitted to say, stepping as shall very soon
out of power and authority, that tue pain over
which have trOdden Is not stained with the
blood OF my fellow-man. have striyon 10
walk in the ways Of peace and good will to AZ
men. Let us turn our thoughts on the proser-
vation OF our country by peaceful means.
would to-day rather wear on nv tace the
burrows marked there by care and RESPONSE
bllity III the aiduous paths Of duty than
the glit;cripg epaulette or by MY side the
jinging sword rs the insignia of ruthless
war. Let us indoctrinate our people with
the be',ef that the constitution is tie
palladium of our Liberty, our only safeguard Il
the hour of peril. Let US cling to 1t as the
he feels 10 be his only ark Of safety. 1 thatk
YOU again for the high and fattering connpll-
ment you have paid me. Your hospitality. so
kindly ouered, is accepted. and the time when
my visi. shall be most Convenient shall soon
he fleslr; ated.