The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-19

that | should refer: We all agree that
the Constitutional Union ought to be
restored, as nearly as possible upon It's
old foundation; and the whole life OF
our distinguished guest has been illus
trated by constant devotion to Con-
stitutional Union.
1--WE can all, therefore. heartily join
in doing honor to one who, through
evil and good report, has always been
the champion of constitutional union,
and who. when the strife was over, has
exhibited magnanimous charity to-
wards the VanquiShed.
Welcome then-a cordial welcome
to North Cardinals son. who has made
his life illustrious by honest, constant
and unyielding adherence to the Con-
stitution and the Union"
AS to his speech on that occasion,
the Sentinel, then the leading newspa-
per in North Carolina. said:
HE alluded. with much pathos, to
the incidents of his bOyhood and the
associations of his early life. More
than forty years ago Ne ~ left these
scenes penniless and friendless boy;
il did not become him to speak of the
circumstances under which he had
returned. Through all the mutations
of his life though North Carolina had
not been, in the language of the
schoolmen, exactly his alma mater,
still she was his mother and, God bless
her, he was proud of her.
Coming to his native city under
circumstances so peculiar and solemn
a character, he would not discuss
questions of public nature. The pres
ent was not the time nor was the oc-
casion a proper one for such allu-
sions. Were it otherwise. he should
be delighted to talk about national
affairs with the descendants of the
friends of his earlier days. He de-
clared that throughout the whole of
his public career he had been governed
by one sole guide-star-an honest
conviction of duty and the constitution
and union of the country. He begged
his fellow citizens to discard all diVis-
ions and squabbles, all minor differ
ences and petty controversies. and to
unite in the common effort to restore
the State to her rightful place in the
Union. He expressed his firm convic-.
ton that that was the highest desire
of the people of his native State.
"CWhen this alluson was made It'll
was received with great enthusiasm.
An eve witness who could call in ques-
tion the sincerity of this feeling would
be slanderer)
after these touching illusions to
of counsel and encouragement to the
young people present to improve their
opportunities and strive to make men
of themselves, the President conclu-
ded, again making his heartfelt ac
acknowledgements for this reception, in a
happy and hearty style
The career of Andrew Johnson
shows that in his love for the Union
of 'indestructible Stares" he was as
ardent as Daniel Webster. He loved
it better than his native State or MIS-
State and he was ready 20
staEd against his section in order to
stani by the Union. But, when as a
result of war. the principle was
established that this is a Repub- |
lie where no State may with
draw from the compact. Johnson |
to pursue the pacilic, wise
and just course marked out by LIN
coin. and let the seeding States come
back as States and not as colonial pos
sessions. No man has ever had duty
to perform more delicate and difficult
than the duty before Mr. Johnson. The
extreme sentiment of the North de- |
manded that he carry out Thad Ste ]
vens' policy and held over his head tlF,
threat OF impeachment II he falled |
them in their policy of reconstruction.
The South distrusted him because he
had taken the side of the Union and |
helped to crush the Southern Confed-
eracy. No history written by men who
were participants in those exciting
scenes will do Andrew Johnson Justice,
but one of these days the true story
of the difficult task he was called
upon to perform will be told ana IN
the clear light of history the name
Of Andrew Johnson will be found high
on the honor roll of great men who
served their country with patriotism
and devotion to duty as he saw his
duty. He was the handsomest man
who has been elevated TO the "hlte
House. His face is the face OF pa
trician of the best type, showing that
humble birth is not inconsistent with
nobility of bearing and beauty OF
countenance.
The career of Johnson paralIels That
of Lincoln and Garfield and is a slim
illus to youths who are denied educa-
tional advantages. His father was