Year: 1865




In response to serenading party, Secre
tary HARLAN made a speech the other evening,
of which the telegraph makes the following
imperfect synopsis.


Mr.. HARLAN said:


~ have no doubt that nothing but a feeling o,
friendship for me can account for tho presence al
the greater number of you here tonight II anv
are prompted by any other motives. I do NOT
doubt that 1t is on account of their respect for the
Government which now dominates over our entire
and common country-for the Administration that
is now enforcing the laws of the Republic from
Maine to California, and from Minnesota to Texas
and possibly l may say we are indebted for this
compliment on account Of my connection with this
Administration. You must not expect me tonight
to develop what win be in future the policy of the
Individual elected to the highest position in the
gift OF the American people. No one is authorized
to speak for him but himself, and doubt very
much whether he knows what will be the policy
which he will be compelled by circumstance "a
follow in the future. We may, however: Judge OF
the future from his acts in the past. know a
large portion of the American people feel deep So
licitude on the subject of the probable success Of
his administration. There are those who are enc
mics of his administration, as they were that of
his predecessor who are anxious to array against
him those by whose votes he was elevated TO his
present position. Some may fear that. now that
he has been elevated to place and power he may
turn against those who elected him. Those who
fear, know but little of the man they have thus
honored by their votes (Cheers.) / would ask
those Who have fears upon this subject: Was he
not nominated by the convention that nomi-
mated the lamented Lincolny Did he not accept
the nomination, and place himself voluntarily
upon the same PLATFORM Was he not elected to
the second place by the same electors who chose
the lamented Abraham Lincoln to the irst And
after succeeding to the Chair made vacant BY the
foul act of the assassination, was not his first
notice TO the Cabinet officers of his predecessor
that he desired the continuance of their services
and have they not continued, each with his accus-
toned portfolio, with q solitary cxception-and
that change made in pursuance Of arrange
ments made by his predecessor? Did he not when
the time came, re,erate the proclamation OF eman-
cipaton which had been issued by his predecessor
and distinctly inform the leaders OF tie rebellion
that they nust accept result of the terrible
struggle through which we had passed that slavery
cannot hereafter exist in the United States tAp-
plause.) Has lie ever fatered in the declaration
OF the doctrine that rebellion is great crime. and
that those who perpetrated it must suffer the
penalty of the law unless they apply the Execu-
tive for clenency? fCries of mo and good - !
What act Of President Johnsons differs from those
OF his predecessor in any material point of view
Does any one sugges. policy for the restoration
of the Southern States! When ne came intp Office
seven States, previously in rebellion had been en-
tiley, or partially organized by his predecessor
Missouri arkansas, West Virginia, Virginia
Tennessee, Louisiana and Texas. am reminded
that may include the State OF Maryland also
believe, however, that the latter State was 4ot pro
foynsa out of the Union. In what wey ask docs
the plan President johnson now proposes for the
Carolinas Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Missis-
sipp differ from that applied to other States
have mentioned by President Lineoiny Can any
one name any important difference between the
two elasses2 / apprehend not. Nor any one
suggest that the question of suffrage was settled
differently in the States 6rst named, from the lat
ter. Now, may | inquire of the friends of the late
President-those who thought his policy good
enough for tl.e American people--what cause have
they to complain of the policy Of President John
son? Does any one believe that if President Linz
eoln occupied the Presidential chair his own policy
would be changed by himself without material
change of circumstances if not, who has right
to complain of his successor? We may have our
individual opinions collateral questions which
have arisen. and which may arise: but we had
these differences of opinion while President Lin
coin occupied the Presidential chair


If then. we, Union men, have no cause to
complain of the President for anything " hich we
could not allege with equal force against his prede
eessor let US see that we give him cause to
break with US. Allow me. in retiring, Il thank
you for tie honor Of the call


Secretary Harlan then retired amid cheers and
music by the haad