Year: 1865

WASHINGTON April l6.


Gov. Oglcsby, of Illinois, in introducing the lIl-
nois delegation. spoke in high praise of Mr. Lin
coin, and expressed in behalf Of the delegation the
fullest confidence in Mr. Johnson's abilities to
conduct the aff,irs OF the nation. and pledged
him the earnest support of his State and the
country.


President Johnson roplied:-"I have listened
with profound emotion to the words you have ad-
dressed me. | had not anticipated in the midst Of
the saddening circumstances which surrounded +,
and the immense responsibilities that crowd upon
me, the expression of the confidence oiiEdividuals,
and still more of an influential body like that be-
fore me representing great Commonwealth. 1t
Strengthens my heavily burdencd mind in an hour
ike this of deepest sorrow. Were it possible to
embody in words the feelings of NY bosom,
could not command my lips to utter them. Per-
haps the best reply could make, the one most
appropriate to your kind assurances of confidence,
would be 20 receive them in silence. The throb
binGs of INV heart since the sad catastrophe which
has appalled, us. cannot be reduced TO words, and
oppressed as am with the new ami great RESPONSE
bilites which have dcvolved upon me, and sadden-
ed with grief with difficulty respond to you I
all, but cannot permit such expressions of conf
dencc reposed in me by the PEOPLE te pass without
acknowledgement To an individual like myself,
who has never claimed much, but who has, il is
true, received from generous people many marks
of trust and honor for long time, occasion like
this and manifestation fpubc feeling so well
timed. are peculiarly acceptable Springing from
the people myself. every pulsat;on OF the popular
heart finds an Immediate answer in my own. By
many men in public life such occasions are often
considered merely formal. To me they arc real
Your words of countenance and encouragement
sink deep in my heart, and were even a coward,
could but gather from them strength TO carry out
nv convictions fright.


Thus feeling. | shall enter upon the discharge of
nv great duty firmly and steadfastly, if not with
the signal ability exhibited by nv predecessor
which is still fresh in our sorrowing minds. And
repeat that no heart feels more sensibly than
mine, this great affection. In what say on this
occasion. shall indulge in no petty spirit of an
ger, no feeling OF revenge. But ne have beheld
notable event in the history of mankind; in the
midst of the American people. where every citizen
is taught to obey law and observe the rules Of
Christian conduct. our Chief Magistrate, beloved
of all hearts, has been assassinated; and when we
trace the crime to its cause-vhen VIC remember
the source whence the ASSASSIN drew his inspira
tior and then look az the resut,we stand vet more
astonishe this most barbarous, most diabolical
assassination. Such crime as the murder OF n
great and good man, honored and revered, beloved
and the hope Of the people, springs not from
solitary individual OF even so desperate wicked
ness. We can trace 5 cause through sue, essvc
steps, without enumerating them here, back to
that source which is the spring of all our woes
No one can say that il the perpetrator of this
fendish deed should be arrested he should not un.
dergo the extreme penalty Which the law provides
for crime.


While we strain our minds 10 comprehend the
enorlnity of the assassination, shall we allow the
nation 10 be ass lssmtedl | speak in no spirit tf
unkinancss. | leave the events of the future 70
be disposed Of As they arise. regarding myself rs
the humble instrument OF the American people.
In this, as in all things, justice and judgement
shall be determined by them. | do no: harbor
bitter or revengelul feelings toward any. In gen.
eral terms, would say thlt public m 1rais and pub
lie opinion should be established upon sure and
inhexible principles OF justice. When the qucs
ton of exercising mercy comes before me. it will
be considered calmly, judicouslv lv--remembering
that am the Executive Of the nation | know
men love TO have their names spoken in connec-
ton with acts of mercy, and how easy it is to
Weld TO this impulse, but must not forget that
what miy be mercy to individuals is cruelty to the
State. Ia the exercise of mercy there should be
no doubt left that this high Trerogatvc is not used
to relieve The few ut the expense OF the many.


Be assured shlll never forget that | am not TO
consult mi own feelings alone, but TO give
count 10 the whole people il regard to my future
course. willnow make no pledges. lhtve been



and to the history OF my past public acts, which is
familiar to you, refer for hose principles which
have governed me heretofore, and will guide me
hereafter.


In general will say have long labored for Il Q
elevation of the great mass OF mankind. NV
opinions as to the nature of popular govoramert
have long been cherished, and constituted as |
am, it is now too late in life for me to change
them. l believe that government made for
man, not man for government. This struggle o {
the people against the most gigantic rebellion the
world ever saw has demonstrated that the alta CHI
ment of the people to their government is the
strongest natural defense human wisdom can de-
wise. So long IS the rich mln feels that the in
terests of the government his interests. so long
as the public hear. turns in the right direction and
the people understand and app eci..e the theory Of
Of our government and love liberty, Constitu-
ton will be transmitted unmpaired. Ii the time
ever comes when the people shall fail. the govern
ment will fail and TO be one OF the nations
of the earth Ii nay be that it necessary us
to pass this last Gdeal of strife to prove that the
government will not perish from internal weakness
but will stand able to defend itself against all
foes and punish treason.