Year: 1865

rfesloent johnson replied as follows:-


RESPECTED Sri might adopt all that you have said
on this occasion, and present 1t mine respond most
cordially and endorse every sentiment you have uttered


and might thus conclude what have to say In much
better manner than otherwise express it, adopting
your remarks as my reply to yourself The sad caam


y, the affecting Of the assassination of the
President OF the United States not more deeply felt by
any one than myself and especially SO while occupy the
position do, being thrown into It by that sad event.
And IN entering upon the discharge Of duties that
imposed ON me in the office thus conferred, feel and
know the responsibility, and have various occasions
iet as 1t were overwhelmed; and I stand before
you to-day embarrassed exceedingly as TO how
the responsibility shall be fulfilled. Hence the
importance and svaue Of the encouragement that you
give here to-day The countenance rendered me- and
the support you propose in undertaking fearless
and responsible the in which enter is duly ap
prsciated, for In the midst of this embarrassment
in the midst Of this great national calamity-n


ing upon the career must pursuethe confidence, the
counenance the encouragement and the promise that
you will aid the instrument that has been thrown where
he is in the discharge of his duties worth great deal
70 any one, and especially to myself As l remarked
out short time since, lack Of support may para
rye the most courageous but the encouragement, N
couhVenance and support Of an intelligent people .
is calculated to make a coward courageous, .
and 10 win merit in the discharge Of his duties. .


repeat, that most fully respond all that you have
SAID and concur most fully, especially in the idea that
this government has been mission and that the
mission has not been fulfilled and that the history Of
TINS country shall demonstrate that this nation, it
moves along down the stream Of time, is to be pcrma
nent as the sun. (Appause) / start, sir-though 1t
may DC considered by some kind Of wild enthusiasm
or superstitionwith the idea that this government
n fprinc 0Ofrip
that was founded upon the principles of free govern
men proper, with the essential and leading principles
running through It, II here upon great mis-
sion, which has not yet been fulfilled but in its -
onward and upward course II will carry out its mission,
ana establish the great principle Of free not
only here but throughout the civilized world. (Applause
believe, in the midst Of my superstition II it may be
called such or, in other words have reliance and d
abiding faith, that there great principle of right
which lies at the foundation OF all things believe that
the time will come when this ion, instead o. being


the recipient as has been for considerable length OF
tme OF arts, OF sciences and Of religion from the
other quarters OF the globe and Of emgrans Of every
kind and of every complexion will become the radating
point, the CENTRE from which will proceed arts
and religion to brothers through the civilized world
(Applause We have been sent ON great mission and
that mission be fulfilled We look ut this gigantic
rebellion and that the has struggled with
1t and carried along and just at the time that be
ieve and substantially know that the rebellion was
about TO be ended and the nation rejoicing, |
with its banners unfured and its artillery laundering
through every town and hamlet through the length
and breadth of the confederacy, thcn in the midst Of
jubant feelings and the exuaton of free people, the
Chief Magistrate is struck, like star from its sphere in
death Here receive intimation of the eternal
principle that sent forth this governmenthe govern
ment rejoicing the hand at rebellion crushed and
on the other mourning at its chief san and though
Presidents may give way in regular succession still this
government will move on, and the end carry out
its great mission among the nations. (Applause jt
cannot but say, and in saying IL isE
repetition Of what has been expressed before that
the time has come with this government when crime
shall be understood We taught in all the States and
in the courts of the United States that the commits
sion of various offences crimes. Arson is crime,
burglary is crime, murder is a crna The time las
come when the people shall be educated and taught
understand that treason is crime Applause And not
only crime, but the highest of all crimes We look upon
the assassination OF the Presidcntths dabolcal ard
lendish act which has been recently commtted-as
the highest crime and the mind cannot conceive
the penalty commensurate with it, 1t is a deed
for which the human mind cannot invent a pen
atty severe enough To assassinate the President





have lifted their impious against the govern
ment under which they live l will say in this
connection In reference, you have just remarked
rs to my future policy, that If my past upon
various public gu stons that have up, and cspc
ciay snce this rebellion commenced, is any indication
or evidence 10 you Of what my future viii be any pro-
fessions now must be unnecessary 20 far regards
my action the disposition or winding up of!
this great drama, my past ii,e must be taken as
some indication OF my future. In the progress OF
this question, in bringing il close when justice is
meted out and it becomes necessary to exercise mcr
and lenience shall be discriminate asrer
tain what Is mercy, because sometimes mercy, miscon-
ceived and exercised improperly results in ruin o. States
and men. II IL s right and proper to take away
the life Of individual for destroying tia,
Of another, what shall be done with those
who destroy the life of the natlons Treason must
Some have committed treason technically speaking.
Thousands and thousands have been taken from th IT
homes upon other; lines by conscrp.
tion, sometimes by force of public opinion sometimes
msled by leaders. ! would say, in the exercise
OF mercy, try To make the proper dscrimina.
lion, visiting the penalties Of treason the
conscious intelligent misleading traitor, and extending
lenicncy to the great mass of the deceived (Appause
Gentlemen all can say, and all promise you after
referring to my past that in asceraining what my future
will be in the discharge OF my duties in the
of the government, all will be done in a proper spirit
I think, and in accordance with my best ability
There may be some who would perform those duties
with more signal ability than can but there Is one
thing sir, OF which assure you and this audience that
whatever be the evidence Of my past life, or though
may not bring TO the administration Of this government
that signal ability that some nigh, have honest will
and impulse sincere. tApplausel have laborcd the
most Of my hfe-yes, the gor and strength Of my


life have been expended in those drectc us which have
ben calculated to bring about the grcs test good TO the
greatest number have isbored ,ssantly 10 main.
tain and carry out the great idea th government was
made for man, and not man for the government "Thc
Sabbath made for man, and nos man for the Sab
bath" toled TO establish and make tha,
great idea permanent; and I trust and hope
that II is permanent or will be a.
permanent as this government have laborcd to esab
lish this idea. ! shall d sst from that I have