The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1865-09-27
McGREGOR, IOWA. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 27 1865

AoOOs ..H .-.-.- .-.
Andy Johnson.
The President was called on few days age
by q delegation representing nine Of the lat,
seeding states. They addressed him like mer
who came to ask, not to demand, ayors. Herr
is the noble reply Of the brave little constitu
tionalist whom radicals are now denouncing:
GENrLEMEN:-We have passed through this
rebellion. cay sce, for it was Us who were
responsible for 1t. Yes, the south made the
issue, and know tho nature of the southern
people well enough TO know that when they be
come convinced Of an error, they frankly
acknowledge it In direct manner, and When
IN the performance Of duty, or, indeed, any &C,
they undertake to perform, they do it heartily
and frankly; and now. that they come to me,
understand them - saying that ave made the
issue. wet set up the union Of the states sgains,
the institution Of slavery, We selected the arbi.
trator-the God Of battles. The argument
was the sword. the issue was fully and honor.
ABLY met; Both the questions presented have
been settled against ~, and We are prepared u
accept the ISSUE" ] find that on ali aides this
spirit of candor and honor prevails; that the
southern people say. "The iesue was ours, and
the Judgment has been against US; and the dc.
cision having been made against u, We feel
bound in honor TO abide BY the arbitrament.--
In doing this We are doing ourselves no dis.
honor, and should not feel humiiated or de.
garded, but remember that we are ennobline
ourselves BY our action; and We should feel
that the government is treating US magnani.
mously. and We meet the government upon
the terms II has 20 magnanimously pro6ered
u.s. rag az = 4-a : - h.
So far a. am concerned personally. I am
uninfuenced by any question whether It affects
the north or south. east or west. stand where
Ibid Of old. battling for the constitution and the
union Of these United States. In doing 10.
know opposed some of you of the south when
the doctrine Of secession was being urged on
the country. and the declaration of your rights
to break up the government and diseategrate
the Onion Was made. stand to-day, 40 have
ever stood. firmly in the opinion that, if .
monopoly contends against this country, it
must 60 down, and the county must 20 up -
Yes, the issue was made BY the south against
the government, and the government has tri.
umphed; and the south, true to its instincts of
frankness and nanly honor, comes forth and
expresses it, willingness 70 abide the result ef
the decision in good faith. Il
While think that the rebellion has been
arrested and subdued. and am happy ia the con.
sciousnes9f duty well performed. want
know that while dreaded and feared disints.
grafton Of the states, am equally opposed to
consolidation or concentration of power here,
under whatever guise or name it may bear,
and. If the issue 10 forced upan u, shall
sndeavor to pursue the same efforts to dis.
suade from this doctrine Of running to ex.
tremes. But, say, let the same rules be ap.
Piled. .r ra1#
As have before remarked to you, am
gratifed to see 20 many Of you here to-day
It manifesto spirit am pleased to observe.
l know that it has been said or me that nv
asperities are sharp; that had vindictive feel.
ings to crafty, and that would not fail to avail
myself of the opportunities that would present
themselves te crafty such despicable feelings.
II my acts will not speak for me and for them.
selves, then any profession might now make
would be equally useless. But, gentlemen, if
know myself as think I do, know that
am Of the southern people; and love them,
and will do all in my power to restore them to
that state Of happiness and prosperity which
they enjoyed before the madness Of nisxs;ded
men, in whom they had seposs5s tAsip senA-
denee, led them astray to their own undoine.-
If there is anything mat can be done on my
part. on correct principles Of the constitution.
to promote these ends, be assured il ehall be
done.
Let me assure you, also, that there is no dis.
position on the part Of the government to deal
harshly with the southern people. There may
be speeches published from various quarters
that may breathe different spirit. DO not let
them trouble or excite you. but believe that it
is the great object OF the Governments 10 make
the Union of these United States more com.
plete and perfect than ever, and to maintain it
on constitutional principles, if possible. more
firmly than it has ever before been.
Then Why cannot We all come up to the
look to the constitution. The issue has been
made aud decided. Then, as wise men; as
men who are in the right, and are determined
to follow it; as fathers and brothers, and as
men who love their country in this hour of
trial and suffering; why can't we come up and
help to settle tie questions Of the hour, and
adjust them according to the principles of honor
and of justice.
The institution Of slavery is gone. The
former status Of the negro had to be changed,
and We, 40 wise men. must recognize 90 patent
. fact and adapt ourselves 10 circumstances as
they surround US. (voices-'We are willing
to do so.' yes, sir, We are willing to do co.
| believe you are. believe that when your
faith is pledged, when your consent has been
given. as have already said. believe it will
be maintained 10 good faith. snd overy pledge
Or promise fully carried out. (Cries-'It
will.I
Ali ask or desire of the south or the north,
rying out the principles Of the constitution. 1t
is not to be denied that We have been great
sufferers on both sides. Good men have fallen,
and much misery is being endured as the nee.
essary result Of 80 gigantic q contest; why,
then, cannot we come together, and, around
the common altar of our country, heal the
wounds that have been made? Our country
has been shaken all over; then. why cannot
We approach each other on the principles which
are right in themselves, and which will be pro.
ductive of good to ALT
The day is not distant when We shall feel
like some family that has had deep and des.
perate feud. The various members Of which
have come together and compared the evils
and suferings they had inflicted on each other.
They had seen the influence Of their error and
Of conciIiation. they had become mutually tor
bearing and forgiving. snd returned to their
old habits of fraternal kindness. and become
better friends than ever. Then let US consider
that the feud winch alienated u has been set.
tied and adjusted to mutual satisfaction; that
We come together to be bound BY firmer bonds
Of love, respect and confidence than ever
The North cannot get along without the South.
nor the South without the North, the East
without the West. nor the West without the
East and say that it is our duty to do all
that within our power lies to perpetuate and
make stronger the bonds Of our Union, seeing
that it is for the common COOL Of all that we
should be united. feel that this Union,
though but the creation Of century, 10 to be
perpetuated for all time, and that it cannot DO
destroyed except BY the All-Wiss God Who
created it
Gentlemen. repeat, sincerely thank you
for the respect manifested on this occasion,
and for the expressions Of appreciation and con
Adence. Please 70 accept my thanks.
The leader Of the delegation replied:
M PayslpENT-On behalf Of this dslcgs.