Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1865-09-19
Important Address by President
Johnson

ident on the morning OF the lIth Inst, oq
appointment, and had long and agreeable
interview. They first assembled in the East
room fthe White House, and organized by
calling Mr.. Phillips, of Alabama, to the
chair.
Judge Lockrane stated their object to
be to call upon the President before their de-
parture, as an act of courtesy, and to express
to him their unqualified confidence in the
Justice aud magnanimity of the government
in the matter of reconstruction.
On motion, Mcssrs. Bliss, Of Alabama.
Mactar'and, Of Virginia, White, of Texas,
Cannon, Of South Carolina, Bass of Arkan-
sas, Wilkins, of Mississippi, Lockrane, of Geor-
gia, and Baker, of Florida, we're designated
to individually present to the President such
persons as were present from their respective
States.
MR.. MAcFARLAND's SPEECH.
The delegation was admitted soon after
eleven o'clock, and presented to the Presi
dent as follows by Mr.. mcfarland, of Vir-
GINA -
Mr.. PRESIDENT THE gentlemen accompany
ing me, and whom have the honor of introdu-
cling to you, constitute number OF the most re-
spectacle citizens of nine of the Sout he:n States
They come, sir, for the purpose of manifesting
the sincere respect and regard they entertain for
YOU, and to express their determination to CO.
operate with you in whatever shall tend to pro
mote the interests and welfare of our common
country. and to say that they are as earnest now
and faithful to the United States and to the con-
stitution of the Union as in the past, and that
they have great confidence in your wisdom to heal
the wounds that have been made, and in your
disposition to exercise all the leniency which can
be commended by sound and judicious policy
That they are assured, in doing this, of your de-
sire and intention to sustain and maintain South
ern rights in the Union of the United States.
| PRESIDENT JoHNsoNs REPLY.
The President was surprised at the imposing
appearance of the delegation, and was evidently
affected much in reply. Every gesture and utter
ance was Full of subdued eloquence. The reply
was as follows;--
| GENTLEMEN-I can only say. in reply to the re-
marks of your chairman, that am highly graft
| fed to receive the assurances he has given me-
| They are more than could have expected under
the circumstances. must say was unprepared
to receive so numerous a delegation on this oc-
cast on :; it was unexpected; had idea it to
be so large or represent so many States. When
expressed as did my willingness to at any
time so many of you as chose to do me the honor
to call upon me, and stated that should be graf
fled at receiving any mani festations OF regard
You might think proper to make, was totally
unprepared for anything equal to the present
demonstration. | am free to say it exctes in my
mind feelings and emotions tn 1T language is TO-
tally inadequate to express. When L look back
| upon my past actions and recall period scarcely
more than four short years ago, when l stood
battling for principles viii h many of you opposed
and thought were wrong. | was battling for
the same principles that actuate me to day, and
which principles | thank my God you have come
forward this occasion to manifest disposition
to support. say now. as have said on many
former occasions, that eute rtain no personal re-
sentiments, enmities or animosities to any living
soul south of Mason and Dxon's line however
much he may have differed from me in principle
The stand then took claim to have been the
only true one l remember how TODD plea lin G
with my Southern brethren when they stood with
their hats in their hands ready 10 turn their
backs upon the United States; how l implored
| them to stand with me there and maintain our
rights and fight battles under the laws and
constitution of the United States | think now,
as thought then, and endeavored to induce them
| to believe, that our true position under the
law and under the constitution of the Union with
the institution of slavery in it; but if that prn-
ciple made an issue that rendered dlsntegration
possibe-if that made an issue which should pre-
vent from transmittingto our children country
as bequeathed to us By our fathers-l had nothing
else to do but to stand by the government, be the
consequences what they might; said then, what
you all know, tina was for the institutions of
the country as guaranteed by the CONSTITUTE on,
| but above all things | was for the Union of the
States l remember the taunts, the jeers, the
scowls with which | was treated. | remember
the circle that stood around me, and remember
| the threats and intimidations that were freely
uttered by the men who opposed me, and whom
| wanted to befrend and guide by the light that
led me but feeling conscious in my own integri-
ty, and that was right, / needed not what they
might say or do to me- and was inspired and en-
couraged to do my duty regardless OF aught else,
and have lived to see the realization of my pre-
dictions ana the fatal error of those WHOM, Vain
ly essayed to save from the results | could not
but foresee. Gentlemen we have passed through
this rebellion. | say we, for it was who are re
sponsbe for it. Yes, the South made the issue,
and know the nature of the Southern people well
enough to know that when they have become con-
WINGED of an error they frankly acknowledge it, in
manly, open, direct manner; and now, in the
performance Of that duty, or, indeed, IN any act
they undertake to perform, they do it heartily
and frankly and now that they come to me UNI
derstand them saying that I'VE made the
issue. We set up the union Of the States against
i the institution of slavery we selected as
bitrator The God of battles the arbitrament was
the sword. The issue was fairly and honorably
met. Both the questions presented have been sett
tied against Us, and we are prepared to accep-
the issue.'' find Oh all sides this spirit Of cam
dor and homo prevailing. 1t is said by-all The
issue was ours, and the judgment has been against
us and the decision having been made against
us, We feel bound in honor to abide by the arbit-
rament In doing this we are doing ourselves
no dishonor, and should not feel Inundated or
degraded, but rather that we enoblng our
selves by our action; and we should feel that
the government has treated us magnanim ously,
and meet the government upoh the same terms it
has SO magnanimously proffered us. So far as
am concerned, personally, am uninAuenced by
any question, whether it affects the North or
the South, the East or the West. / stand where
| did of old, battling for the Constitution and the
Union of these United States. In doing so know
/ opposed some of you gentlemen of the South
when this doctrine of secession was being urged
upon the country, and the declaration of your