It symbolizes a government most aptly expressed by the greatest statesman of the people, Abraham Lincoln, to be "a government of the people, by the people, and for the people"—a government that spreads a sky of hope above the head of every child, that has abolished all class distinctions, and has opened all places of eminence and usefulness in the state and in commerce to the ambitious and energetic young man.
This city has given to the country a conspicuous illustration in your distinguished former fellow-citizen, Andrew Johnson, of what free institutions may do, and what an aspiring young man may do against all adverse conditions in life. To every one perfect freedom is guaranteed within the limits of due respect to the rights of others. Thanking you again for this presence and friendly greeting, I bid you good-by.
[MORRISTOWN, TENNESSEE, APRIL 14.]
At Morristown several thousand citizens and residents of Hamblen, Cocke, Grainger, and Jefferson counties assembled to greet the President. The Reception Committee was Mayor W. S. Dickson, R. L. Gaut, H. Williams, W. H. Maze, A. S. Jenkins, and James A. Goddard. At the conclusion of the President's speech an old grizzled veteran stepped upon the platform, and reaching out his hand said: "Mr. President, I was in that Atlanta campaign, on the other side, and helped to keep you back, but now the war is over I'm proud to take your hand." The President showed great pleasure at this greeting, and held the old soldier's hand several minutes, the spectators meanwhile cheering lustily. A large number of ex-Confederates witnessed this incident.
President Harrison's speech on the occasion was as follows:
My Fellow citizens—It will not be possible for me to speak to you for more than a moment, and yet I cannot refuse, in justice to my own feelings, to express my deep appreciation of your cordial reception. I visit to-day for the first time East Tennessee, but it is a region in which I have always felt a profound interest and for whose people I have always entertained a most sincere respect.
It seems to be true in the history of man that those who are called to dwell among mountain peaks, in regions where the convulsions of nature have lifted the rocks toward the sky, have always been characterized by a personal independence of character, by a devotion to liberty, and by courage in defence of their rights and their homes. The legends that cluster about the mountain peaks of Scotland and the patriotic devotion that makes memorable the passes of Switzerland have been repeated in the mountains of East Tennessee.
In those periods of great struggles, when communications were difficult and often interrupted, the hearts of the people of Indiana went out to the beleaguered friends of the Union beyond the Cumberland Gap. I am glad to know that it is no longer difficult to reach you for succor or for friendly social intercourse, for travel has been quickened and made easy. Some one mentioned just now that it was only four hours and a half from Chattanooga to Atlanta. That is not my recollection [laughter]; I think we spent as many months making that trip. [Laughter.]
I am glad to know that now, by the consent of all your people, without regard to the differences that separated you then, your highways are open to all of us, without prejudice; that your hearts are true to the Union and the Constitution, and that the high sense of public duty which then characterized you still abides among your people. May your valleys be always full of prosperity, your homes the abode of affection and love, and of all that makes the American home the best of all homes and the sure nursery of good citizens. [Cheers.]