Year: 1865

Z &C.. &C.. &c.
Il CITIZENS MEETING AT THE CUSTOM HOUSE.


THE INTERVIEW OF DEPUTATIoN WITH PRESIDENT


JOHNSON-THEIR ADDRESS AND HIS RESPONSE.
t. meeting OF the citizens committee, originally or


ganzed for the purpose of celebrating the recent vcto
ries but subsequently resolved into committee to ar


for the funeral of President Lincoln in this city


held yesterday afternoon at the Custom House, the
attendance being very numerous Moses Taylor, ESQ.,,


presided and Samuel Sloan Esq, ocated as secretary


On behalf of the committee of thirteen appointed to


wait on President Johnson Mr. Sloan read the following
j. interesting report


The committee Of thirteen appointed the 17th nst


left for the scat Of Tuesday the 10th
> at eight O'Clock A. NJ. They waited upon the


same evening by the acting Vice President, Hon l.. s.


Foster who extended to them the courtesies OF his high
position Through the kindness Of the Hon Hugh Nc


Caoch the Secretary Of the Treasury and his assistant


crview with Prsdeni Johnson on wednesday 0 morning


at nine O'Clock. AT the interview the dcputaton was


introduced individually to the President, by. the
Hon. Simeon Draper, Collector OF New York.
= for whose attention and courtesy the acknowl-
edgments OF the depuation due. The President ap


poared TO be sensby affected by the terms which the


citizens OF New York pledged 10 him the united support


OF the commercial community in the measures of his


government Tho following address signed by the com


mittee and numerous other citizens presented and
: read to the President by the chairman


ADDRESS TO PRESIDENT JOHNSON.
New YORK, April II, 1865


To ANDREW JOHNSON, President of the United states =
SiR-We address you as members of a community
largely interested in whatever the public vel


fare and which shares fully in the grevous aliction
that has fallen on the nation


The loss of chief executive magistrate by


ton an event that could not fail to sarte the public
mind and bring suddenly to an unwonted test the
strength and stability of popular government.
The system provided ior us by fathers has been
stake have already been safely entrusted, under the
forms Of the constitution and with the hearty
ronce Of the American people.


Lamenting the loss o. just and good man whose life
4 has been made sacrifice the alar of public duty we
are consoed and strengthened by the knowledge that,


under Divine Providence your wisdom, experience and
patriotism can safely guide and guard amidst all the
pers that surround the public councils Of the nation


In assurng you of the entire and perfect confidence of
this commercial community, offer you our united


pledges Of earnest and determined support N all the


measures OF the government for preserving the integrity
& th Cnion maintain NJ the rights Of the people and
upholdng the honor CT the nation With the chest
4 spect, we remain. your fellow citizens.


The paper signed by Collector Draper n H. Grin
nell, Sam Sloan, Edwards Pierrepont A. T. Stewart Vim
B. Astor and other prominent citizens.


4 PRESIDENT JouNsoN's REPLY-HIs FUTURE Policy.
Il The PRESIDENT replied as follows


q need not say, gentlemen how deeply grateful am
to you and the influential and eminent citizens whom


represent for the words of encouragement and
y ldence which you have spoken Such a manifestation
& of regard would at any time be acceptable, but at the


present time it finds in my heart the response


You will not expect Of me- under existing


any extended declaration Of my views public affairs.


My past life must be the guarantee of my future


And if on the principles which have heretofore guided


my action bile there is not found a sufficient
earnest OF those which, with the blessing of God will
direct my in dealing with the great public ques-
tions which coming up for determination no
j profession that should make, declarations Of
Z policy that should lay down. would command your

4 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
stricken down by the hand Of assassin Every one
will agree thai is crime, and must be punished
No will deny that murder is a crime and meet
lis Just penalty All will awarding TO the as
the punishment OF his crime But the assassin


Of the President Is not to escape deserved punishment


what shall be done 10 those who have attempted the


assnaton of the republic Swho have compassed the life


of the nationS The lesson must be taught beyond the


possibility Of being unlearned that treason Is a
crlme-the greatest OF human crimes. Yet in exer.
cising the high prcrogaves which devove upon me-
SHALL IL know myself, temper justice with mercy
shall not forget, however, l trust that while


the exercise OF mercy is easy and pleasant mercy 10


the individual is often source OF the greatest


misery to the mass OF the people. Every qucs.
2uon H IL must DC ulspOSeu OF ac-
cording TO the circumstances which shall sur.


round II at the time, The quiet and orderly


in which the hiatus created by the death Of the
Chief Magistrate Of the nation suddenly and by so
Herrble stroke has been closed up in the peaceful
working OF the constitution, Is guarantee that


strength and wisdom OF the people and of their govern


ment will be found equal 10 every emergency that
arise Had any one, four years ago undertaken pre-.


dict the wonderful events which have happened during


the great struggle through which have passed his


uerances would have been classed with the stories
the "Arabsn Nights, and the tale of the "Wonderfu
Lamp" So while IL is not for us To anticipate what
y! recur in the future, sustained by abiding
faith In the Divine Being, and by confidence


that the great principles Of government and freedom


which have been vndcated by hitherto will


be secured and prpetuaed In the midst Of all the vics


STUDIES through which may be fortune yet pass


thank you, gentlemen, again, for your kind expires


sions OF confidence. Certain am that whe the respon.


81 bies which dcvolve upon might have fallen upon


many possessed Of far ability to meet and unl
hem yet no one can approach them with sincere


desire, OF more honest determination, 20 discharge
Z them with view solely to the welfare OF the people
n and the peace and prosperity Of the nation.


On motion OF one Of the gentlemen, the report was
u unanimo usly adopted.


YvISTT OF THE OHIO DELEGATION TO THE
PRESIDENT.


ADDRESS OF GOVERNOR BRorGn AND THE rREsI-
~ DENTS REILLY.