Year: 1866

vent it. ICheers. All that is wanted is time,


until the American people can understand what


is going on, aud be ready to accept the view just
I as 1t appears to me- could wish to have an
amphltheatre large enough to contain the whole


thirty millions, that they could be here and
witness the great struggle to preserve the Con-
stitution Of our fathers. They could at once
see what it is, and how it is, and what kind of
spirit is manifested in the attempt to destroy
the great principles Of free government; and
| they could understand who is for them aud who
is against them, and who was for amelorating
their condition. Their opposers could be placed
| before them, and there might be a regular con-
test, and in the frst tilt the enemies of the
country would be crushed


| I have detained you longer than l intended,
but in this struggle I am your instrument
Where is the man woman, in private or pub
lie life, that has not always received my atten-
ton and my time. Sometimes it is said, athat
man johnson is a lucky man" / will tell you
what constitutes good fortune: Doing right and
being for the people. The people in some par
| ticular or other, notwithstanding their sagacity
| and judgment, are frequently underrated or un-
der-estmated; but somehow or other the great
mass of the people will find out who is for them
and who against them. You must indulge me
in this allusion when [ say / can lay my hand
on my bosom and say that in all the positions
in which | have been placed-many. of them
as trying as any in which mortal man codld be
put-so far, thank God, | have not deserted the
people, nor do believe they will desert me.
What sentiment have swerved from? Can my
caluminators put their finger upon it? Caa they
dare indicate discrepancy or deviation from
principle?


Have you heard them &c any time quote my
predecessor, who fell a martyr to his cause, as
r..t,
ted! An inscrutable Providence saw proper to
remove him to, | trust, better world than this,
and came into power. Where is there one
principle in reference to this restoration that L
have departed from? Then the war is not sim
ply upon me, but it is upon my predecessor /
have tried to do my duty. [ know some are
jealous in view of the White House, and say
all that fummery has as little influence on me
as it had heretofore The conscious satisfaction
of having performed my duty to my country,
my children, and nv God, is all the reward
which | shall ask


In conclusion of what I have to say, let NE
ask this vast concourse, this sea of upturned
faces, to 90 with me-or | will 60 with you
and stand around the Constitution of our coun-
try; it is again unfolded, and the people are in-
vited to read and understand it, and to maintain
its provisions. Let stand by the principles
of our fathers, though the heavens fall; and
then, though factions array their transient
forces to give vitupera:ion after vituperation in
the most virulent manner, / intend to stand by
the Constitution as the chief ark of our safety,
as the palladium of our civil and religious ber-
ty. Yes, let is cling to it as the mariner clings
to the last plank when the night and the temp
est close around him.


Accept my thanks, gentlemen, for the indul-
gence you have given me in my extemporaneous
remarks. Let US go on, forgetting the past and
looking only upon the future, and trusting in
Him that can control all that is on high aud
here below, and hoping that hereafter our Un-
ion will be restored. and that will have peace
on earth and good will towards men.


The President then retired amid storm Of
applause and congratulations.