Year: 1868

Visit OF n Committee Of BaitimOrcans TO
the White H0use-Tho President Relies
the People iOr support.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 1858.


Washington despatch the Evening Telegram states
that committee of twelve, appointed by a meeting OF
the citizens OF Baltimore held at the Maryland Institute
the 22d Of January last in relation to the rights of
American citizens abroad, waited upon the President
this morning at eleven O'clock to present to him copy
Of the resolutions adopted by the meeting Tho resolu-
tions presented by Mr.. William T. Preston, Chair
man of the Committee addressed the President at
considerable length.


After dischargng the duties imposed on him as
chairman OF the committee, Mr. Preston alluded In a
few forcibe and we'll chosen remarks in regard TO the
present condition OF national affairs, and closed by
saying that he felt mpeled 70 the President
and he thought in doing he not only spoke the sent
ments OF tho gentlemen present. but nearly Of
the entire community OF Baltimore-that the
past action and the noble and determined
stand made by him received their hearty
appreciation, and that in his contest for the
preservation and protection of constitutional
government in the country, he believed
he would be enthusiastically supported by
the people Of Baltimore He hoped and believed that
ho would have the honor OF addressing Mr. Johnson
again as the Chief Executive OF the United States
much later period than many now believe.


The President seemed deeply moved by the earnest
and feeling manner in which the chairman spoke and
by the imp ressve character of the address In reply
answered the committee that Efforts have been and
now being accomplish the purpose ably pre-
sented by the chairman Nothing, he said, will be left
undone by the Executive to carry out an object so
entirely IN accordance with his own convictions and
feelings The President then continued as follows


shall not attempt terms measured phrase to
respond 10 the remarks which you have made In refer
ence to tho condition Of affairs at present agatng the
public mind The presentation OF such kind senti-
ments and encouragement which they give consran
me, however y say that they afford me qualification
which w6fds are Inadequate to express Such assur.
ances this time give strength and courage In tho
fierce conflict which now prevails around US Pointing
you TO the past as an index TO what my
that in an honest effort faithfully to discharge the
high and responsible duties imposed upon me by
the constitution and the laws ! VIII consider no
personal sacrifice great for mo TO bear such
principle be compared with the great object to
bo attained OF preserving the principles OF republic
by strict adherence TO tho constitution and the laws
made In accordance with its provisions God beng
willing I will perform my duty, lct the consequences
be what they may. from my adseDt IN pubic life
10 the present time 1 have passed through many
ordeas in my struggle for the Interests Of the
peopls Never have I for a moment swofved
this presence, / can sincerely declare that there
has mover been as yet an occasion when, having
been assigned TO doty have abandoned my
the intelligence the patriotism and the virtue OF the
American people who, believe, will como in all their
might and strength TO tho rescue sof the country and


ys i, from the destruction which how seems to
threaten it, Ny faith in the American people Is
strong and abdngtl have never betrayed them nor do
1 bsIieyc now when the OF passion threaten TO
enguf the land they will desert abandon who In
their cause ia engaged in earnest struggle FOR the
OF constitutional liberty and the supremacy
of civil authority I again thank you, gentlemen for
this and assure you that SO long as the
vital continues 70 warm and animate my sSs.
ence and memory holds s place, TINS OCCASION VIII DO
reme mbe red and cherished.