| Volume 107, Page 4 View pdf image (33K) |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
4 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [Jan- 10, so wisely guided the nation through its perilous pathway, and so long and anxiously awaited the dawning of the peace- hour, fell, the measure of his fame full to overflowing, by the murderous stroke of the assassin. In any one of the monar- chies of the old world such an event, at such a time, would have been followed by convulsion and bloody wars—but the strength of our own Government was never more signally illustrated. The nation bowed its head in sorrow—old men and children, young men and maidens wept together, but not a ripple disturbed the harmonious working of our grand re- publican system. Scarcely had the reins of power fallen from the nerveless grasp of the dead President when they were gracefully but firmly seized by his succeseor, and the State, shrouded in shadow and gloom, was guided with a master hand in safety through the fearful crisis which threatened it. As the sad realization of war gave way to exultation at the return of peace, so the deep sorrow at the death of Abraham Lincoln became merged into thanksgiving to God for the gift of Andrew Johnson. History affords no such instance of colos- sal grandeur and sublimity as that of the man, who, elevat- ed by his own unaided merit to the loftiest civil distinction, stood forth in the hour of his country's peril, unswayed by prejudice, unseduced by flattery, undismayed by menace, and dared to do his duty; checking the tide of personal animos- ity, calling back with gentle words of exhortation the erring sisterhood of States, and, while maintaining unimpaired the dignity of the Government, persevering in the labor of re- construction upon the enduring principles of conciliation, for- bearance and fraternal concord. Not a year has elapsed since Andrew Johnson assumed the office rendered vacant by the death of the lamented Lincoln, and already has he impressed the world by the greatness and magnanimity of his achieve- ments, and made himself a reputation lasting as time itself. What then, Senators, are the teachings of the hour? How stand our relations to the nation and the State? As citizens of this great Republic, anxiously desiring to restore the na- tional character, and bind more firmly together the States of our glorious Union, it is, in my judgment, our first duty to lift up the hands of the nation's President and sustain un- falteringly the policy which he has so consistently pursued, and which has already accomplished such marvelous results. The man who throws himself in the path of the Administra- tion, must look to it that he is not swept away by the advan- cing surges of popular indignation. We must realize that the war is over, and that measures, and opinions, and preju- dices which were inseparable from years of conflict for the life of the Republic,, now that life is secured, can no longer be entertained or enforced with propriety. An earnest desire |
| |||
|
| ||||
|
| ||||
Please view image to verify text. To report an error, please contact us.
Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, 1866
| Volume 107, Page 4 View pdf image (33K) |
|
Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!
|
An Archives of Maryland electronic publication.
For information contact
mdlegal@mdarchives.state.md.us.
Maryland State Archives