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 a resolution passed recently, in
viting him TO 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:
Gen1ense, Of the C0xn7aaiee-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 the COUNCILS of your city,
turning my sincere and heartfelt thanks for
the high compliment you have been pleased to
pay me. l. would be dong myself injustice to
aifsct indifference .i to the evidence given here
to-day that my conduct as public servant is
approved OF by my fellow citizens. L do feel
fattered and much gratlied at this appreca-
ton OF my services, coming as it does from so
Intelligent and cstimable source. thank Won
most cordially I thank you heartily and sincere
ly for the words Of comfort and commendation
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 fellow-citizens should thus manifest
tor me a.feeilng ofregard as I am stepping out
of power, is q pledge so rare that will rernem-
Der it to the latest day OF my life. I must be
permitted to add, and do it not from spirit
of vanity or egotlsm, that feel more highly
honored in laying down the authority which
has been entrusted to my keeping than did
when first assumed it. am glad to take
whom my trust has ever boon placed, and I
Can say that. although have not been able to
restore TO them the blessings Of peace and
prosperity to be fonnd only in q faithful adhe-
renee to the constitution OF our country,
have always kept that sacred instrument as nv
guide. NV sole am has been for it's preser-
vation and the permanent good Of the whole
country.
feel more pride in coming of the peopl,.
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
rhs ths ahaR always SaI il sg ths
highest respect anG' reverence; for when re-
succor? have frequently said heretofore that
my only aim was the preservation Of the con-
stltutlon and the advancement OF the public
good. l repeat it here. now that I ana about
surrenderinR the powers of tho Chief Execu-
tive, all is gone unless the constitution Of our
country is saved; and it should be saved with
out the shedding Of blood. To me civil honors
arises from tie 1ield Of carnage. Su must sas be-
permitted to say, stepping as shall very soon
out Of power and authority, that the path over
which have trodden is not stained with the
walk in the ways Of peace and good viii TO ali
men. Let us turn our thoughts on the preser-
vation Of our country by peaceful means.
! would to-day rather woafeon my face the
bi]ity IN the a,duous paths II duty than
the glitteripg epsulette or by my side the
jngiing sword as the insignia Of ruthless
war. Let us indoctrinate our people. with
the belief that the constitution Is the
palladium Of our liberty, our oply safeguard ia
the hour of peril. Let us cling to it as the
shipwrecked mariner clings 70 the plank which
he feeis to be his only ark Of safety. I tina, k
You again for the high and fatterfng compll-
ment yon have paid me. Your hospitality 40
kindly offered, is accepted. and the time when
my visit shall be most convenient shall soon
be deslg, ,ated.