Year: 1865

DeIegSucQS lEoul tale 0taSSS Va 1'C" StA SAiN
Eaine, to Washington, received the following
reply from President Johnson:


Ineed not say, gentlemen, how deeply grateful
. I am to you and the influential and eminent
citizens whom you represent, for the words OF en-
couragemeRt land confidence which you have
spoken Such manifestation of regard would
at any time be acceptable, but at the present
time it finds in my heart the warnest response.
You will not expect of me, under existing clr-
cumstanees, any extended declaration Of my
public affairs Ny past life must be the guarantee
ofmy future course. And if on the principles
which have heretofore guided my action as
public man, there is not found suthclens earnest
of those which, with the blessing Of Ged, will
direct my course in dealing with the great public
questions which are now coming up tor de-
termination, no profession that should now
make, no declarations of policy that should. lay
{ ,wn, would command your respect or insure
your confidence. Yet there are some points
which stand out so prominently that none can
hesitate to yield ready assent to their force
and truth. Our great and good President has
been stricken down by the hand Of an assassin.
Every one will agree that arson is q crime, and
must be punished No one will deny that muT.
der is crime, and must meet its Just penalty.
All will concur in awarding to the assassin the
punishment Of his crime. But if the assassin OF
the President is not to escape deserved sponish-
uent, what shalt be done to those who have
attempted the assassination of the republic p
who have compassed the lfeat the nation? The
lessons must:be taught beyond the possibility. Of
ever being unlearned that treason is q crime
tile greatest of human crimes. Yet in exercising
the high prerogaiye which deYolyes upon me, /
shall if know myself, temper justlcr with mercy.
I'shau not forget, however,I trust, that while
the exercise of mercy IS easy and pleasant, mercy
to the individual is often 3 source of, the great
est misery 70 the mass of the people. Every
question, arises, must he disposed ofaccording
30 the circumstances which shall surround 1t at
the time. The quiet and orderly nanher IN
which the hiatus created by the death OF the
Chief Magistrate of the nation, so suddenly, and
bT so terrible stroke, has been closed up III the
peaceful working Of the Constitution, Is q sure
guarantee that the strength and wisdom OF the
people and Of their Government will be found
equal TO every emergency that may arise.


Had any one, four years ago, undertaken TO
predict the wonderful events which have hap
pened during tie great struggle through Walch
we have passed, his utterance would have been
cIassed with the stories of the Arabian Nights,
and the tale Of the Wonderful Lamp. So, while
It is not for us to anticipate what may reeur in
the future, We are sustained by an abiding FAITH
fa the Divine Being, and by sure confidence
that the great principles Of government and
freedom, which have been yindicated ty our
success hitherto will be secured and prepetusted
In the midst of all the vicsstudes through which
it may be our fortune yet to pass. thank you,
gentlemen, again, for your kind expresSiohs of
confidence. Certain am, that while the re-
possibilities which devolye upon me might have
fallen upon many possessed offar moFe'abiity to
meet and fulfil them, Jet no one can approach
them Sith amore sincere desire, or more honest
determination, to discharge them With view
solely to the welfare Of the people and the peace
and prosperity Of the nation.


On motion of one of the gentlemen, the report
was unanimously adopted.


The Ohio delegrstion received an answer,
which, together with a speech in reply to the
delegation of the Christian commission, follows
below: -


RESPECTED Sir: Imigbt adopt al that you
have said on this occasion, and preseat it as
mine. respond most cordially, and endorse
every sentiment you have uttered ;'and ! might
thus conclade what have to say in much bet
ter manner than I, can otherwise express It,
adopting your remarks as my reply to yourself.
Fhe sad calamity, the amletlng occurrence: :oI lie
assassination of the President Of the United
States, is not more deeply felt by any one than
myself; and. especially so while occupy the po-
sition do, being thrown into it by. that sad
event. And in entering upon the discharge Of
the duties that are imposed on me in the office
thus conferred, feel and know the Responsible
~, and have on various occasions felt as it were
overwhelmed; and I stand before you to-day
embarrassed exceedingly as to how the response
bility shall be fulfilled. Hence the importance
and value of the encodFa cement that you give
mere to-day. The countensnce rendered me,
and the support you propose in an undertaking
sc. fearful, and responsible as the one m which
enter, is duly y'appFeciated, for in the midst of
this embarrsssment-in the midst Of this great
national calsmity-in starting upon The career I
must pursue-the confidence, the couIteuance,
the encouragement and the promise that you will
aid the instrument that has been. thrown where
Aeis. in the discharge Of ii. dusiess Is EoFth &