The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-09-13
Speech OF President johnson,
New Y0Rx. Sent. ~.

Inc foiiOwlng are the main points OF the
very important speech made yesterday by
President johnson to the delegation from the
Southern states:
GENTLEMEN We have passed through the
rebellion. say we, for It was us who were
responsible for it. Yes, the South made the
issue, and knew the nature of the Southern
people we'll enough to know that when they
have become convinced of an error they frank
y acknowledge it in direct manner and in
the performance Of duty, or indeed any act
they undertake to perform, they do it heartily
and frankly, and now that they come to me
! understand them to say We made the is
sue we set up the union of the State against
the institution Of Slavery; we selected Is ar
bitrator TIE god Of battles, the argument was
the sword the issue was fully and honorably
met, but the question presented has been set
tied against us, and We are prepared to accept
the issue.
hnd on all sides the spirit Of candor and
honor prevailing. The issue was ours, and
the Judgment has been against us, and the
decision has been against us, and we feel
bound IN honor to abide by the arbitrament.
In dong this we are doing ourselves no dis
honor. aud should not feel humiiiated or de-
graded, but remember that we are ennoblinp
ourselves by our action and we should feel
that the government has treated us marnani-
mously, and meet the government upon the
terms it has SO generously proffered us.
SO far as am concerned personally. am
not In favor OF any question, whether it affects
the North, South, East or West. stand
where did of old, battling for the Constitu-
ton and the union of these United States
In doing so knew | opposed some of you of
the South. When the doctrine of secession
was being urged on the country, and the dec.
laration of your right to break up the Gov
eminent, and disintegrate the Union. /
stand to-day as have ever Stood firmly in
the OPINION that If monopoly centered against
TINS country, 1t must go down, aud the coun-
try must go up Ies the issue was made by
the Sonth against the Government, and the
Government has triumphed. and the South.
true to her ancient instincts of frankness and
manly honor, comes forth and expresses its
willingness to abide the result of the decision
in good faith. While | think that the rebel
hon has been arrested and subdued. and am
happy in the conciousness of duty well
performed, want not only you, but the peo-
pie oil the world, to know that while dread
ed ana feared disintegration of the States,
am equally opposed TO consolidation or con
centraiion of power here under whatever
guise or name they bear, and If the issue is
forced upon us, lshall still endeavor to preserve
the same effort toS Sdissuade from the doctrine
OF running TO extremes, but | say let the
same rule be applied.
As have before remarked to Won. I am
gratifed to see so many of Won here to-day.
II manifests spirit am pleased TO observe
Now, II has been said Of me tha, nv asso-
ciatss are sharp; that had vindictiyo feel
mystic crafty, and that should no; fail to
avaii myself OF the Opportunities that would
present themselves TO grntify such despicsble
feelings. Ii my acts will not speak Tor me
and for themselves, then any profession I
may now make would be equally useless.
but, gentlemen. if | know myself. as think
do, think ] am of the Southern neople.
and love them and viii do all IN nv power
to retsore them to the. state Of happiness and
prosperity ~h,eh they enjoyed before the
madness of misguided men, ia whom they
had reposed their confidence, led them astray
to their own andoing. If there is anything
tnai can be done on my part, on correct prin.
opal OF the constitution, TO promote these
ends be assured it shall he done. Let me
assure you, also, that there is no disposition
on the part of the Govern nent to deal harsh
ly with the southern people There nav be
speeches published from various quarters that
may breathe different spirit. Do not let
them trouble or excite you, but beliese that
IT IS, as IT is, the great object Of the Govern
ment to make the union Of these United
States more complete and perfect than ever,
and TO maintain ii on constitutional princi-
Piles if possible more firmly than i, h,s ever
before been. Then why canno, we all come
up to the work in proper spirit. In other
words, let us look to the Consultation. The
issue has been made and decided. Then az
men who love their country, in this hour of
trial and suffering, why cannot We come up
and help to settle the questions Of the hour
aud adjust them according to principles of
k0nor and of justice.
The institution of slavery ia gone. The
former status of the negro had to be changed.
anu we as WISE men must recognize so patent
TACT and adopt ourselves to circumstances as
they surround us. Voice: 1--WE are willing
to do So" Yes, sir, we ara willing to do 50.
believe you ara When your faith is pledg-
cd, when yonr consent has been given, as IL
has already, believe it viii be maintained in
good faith, and every pledge or promise fully
carried out. Cries, /" 1t will. ~ All ask
or desire OF the South or the North, or the
East or the West, is TO be sustained in carry
ing out the principles of the constitution. 1t
is not to be denied that we have been great
sufferers on both sides. Good men have fal.
len and much misery is being endured as the
necessary result of SO gigantic contest.
Why, then, cannot we come together and
around the common altar of our country and
heal the wounds that have been made. Why
cannot we approach each other on principles
that are right in themselves, and which will
be productive of good to all. The day is not
far distant when we shall feel like some family |
that has had deep and desperate feud, the |
various members OF which have come togeth- |
er aud compared the evils and sufferings they
had inflicted on each other. They had seen
the influence Of their error and its result and |
governed by generous Tirit Reconsideration |
they had become virtually forhearing and for
giving and return to their old habits Of fra |
ternal kindness, and become better friends |
than ever.
Then let us consider that the fend |
which alienated us has been settled and ad. |
justed to our mutual satisfaction, that we come |
together to be bound by frmer bonds Of re,
spect and confidence than ever. The North |
cannot get along without the South, nor the |