The weekly union record. [volume] (Oroville, Calif.) 1864-1866, 1865-10-07
President Johnson's Remarks to the
South Carolina Delegation.


the most prominent men of South Carolina,
waited upon President johnson, when they
were received in the most cordial manner
The remarks Of the President on the occasion
breathe the most patriotic language. We can
do no better than quote:
GENTLEMEN We have passed through this
rebellion. | say We, for il was We who were
responsible. Yes, the South made the issue
aud | know the nature Of the Southern people
well enough to know that when they have be-
come convinced of an error they frankly &C.
knOEledge it in q more open and direct man
Der. In the performance of that duty, they
act heartily and frankly. and now that they
come TO me, l understand them as saying that
We made the issue, We set up the Union Of the
States against the Institution of slavery, and
selected the arbitration of the God Of battles.
The argument was the sword-the issue was
fairly and honorahly met-both the questions
presented have been settled against Us and we
are prepared to accept the Issue find on all
sides this spirit of candor and honor perva-
ding. 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 10 abide by the arbitrament
In doing this We are doing ourselves no dis
honor, aud should not feel humiliated or de
graded, but rather that we are enuobling our
selves by our action and we should feel that
the Government has treated Us maguanimous-
y, and meet the Government upon the terms
it has so magnanimousy protfered u.s." So
far as | am concerned personally, | am not
influenced By any question whether it-efects
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. 10 doing so | know | opposed some
of you of the South when the doctrine Of
secession was being urged 90 the country. and
the declaration of your right to break up the
Government and disintegrate the Union.
stand to day, as have ever stood. firmly 10
the opinion if slavery contends against this
country II must go down, and the country must
go mp. Yes the issue was made BY the South
against the Government, aud the Government
has triumphed and the South. true to her an
cient attributes of frankness and candor, comes
forth aud expresses its willingness TO abide the
result of the decision in good faith While
think that the rebellion has been arrested and
subdned, am happy in the Consciousness of a
duty well performed. ! want not only you,
but the people of the world to know that while
| dreamed aud feared dsintegration of the
States, l am equally opposed to consolidation
or concentration of power here under what
ever guise or name they bear and if the
issue is forced upon Us, shall still endeavor to
pursue the sam. efforts to dissuade from this
doctrine Of running to extremes. but say let
the same rules be applied, as | have before
remarked TO you. am gratifed to see so
many of you here TO day. II mauifests a spirit
| am pleased to observe. ! know it has been
said OF me that my asperities are sharp that
had vindictl7e feelings to crafty, and that
should not fail to avail myself of the opportu-
mites that would present themselves to crafty
such despicable feelings. Ii my acts will not
speak for me and for themselves. then any pro.
tesslOn | might now make would be equally
useless. But, gentlemen. if | know myself. as
think do. | know | am of the Southern
people, and love them, and will do all in nv
power to restore them to that state of happi-
ness and prosperity which they enjoyed before
the madness Of misguided men. ia whom they
had reposed their confidence, led them asirav
to their own undoing. II there is anything
that can be done on my part. on correct prin,
ciples of the Constitution. to promote those
ends. be assured that it shall 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 Government to 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
Thea why cannot we all come up to the
work 10 proper spirit; 10 other words. let US
look TO the Constitution. The revolution has
been made and decided Then. as wise men.
as men who see 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 cannot we come up and
help to settle the questions of the hour, and
adjust these according to the principles of
honor and Of justice. The institution of slave.
~ is gone The former state of the negro had
to be changed, aud We, as wise men. must re.
cognize SO patent a fact. and adapt ourselves
to circumstances as they surround u.s.
Voice" Yes. sir, We are willing to do sol
believe You are. | believe when your faith
is pledged-when your consent has been given;
as | have already said, l believe it will be
maintained 10 good faith, and every premise
fully sustained. Cries of 1t will. u
l. is not to be denied that we have been
great sufferers on both sides Good men have
fallen aud much misery has been endured, as
the necessary result of so gigantic contest.
Why then. cannot the altar of our country
heal the wounds that have been made Our
country has been scared all over. Then why
cannot we approach each other in principles
which are right in themselves. and which will
be productive of good to all The day is not
distant when we shall feel like some family that
has had q deep and desperate feud. the various
members of which have come together and
compared the evils and suferings they had n-
hicted on each other. They had seen the in,
auence of their errors and its results, aud,
governed by a generous spirit of conciliation.
they had become naturally forbeariug and
foFgiving. and return to their old habits of
fraernal kindness and be better friends than
ever Then let rs consider that the feud which
animated US has been settled and adjusted to
our mutual satisfaction-that we came TO-