The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-09-26
PRESIDENT JOHNsON'S SPEECH TO
THE SOUTHERN DELEGATION

!! THE SOUTHERN DELEGATION.
! We have already given our readers synopsis
of the speeches of MIR Mcfarland and the Pres
put upon record President johnson, just as he
has expressed himself We regard his speech
on this occasion, as the most full and clear de-
velopment of his feelings and purposes towards
the South, which be has yet made This spirit
in connection with his recent action ln the Mis-
sissippi oase,~ leaves DO doubt 10 the Southern
mind. The sentiments uttered by the Presi-
dent will fnd warm response in the entire
South
GENTLEMEN Il can only say, in reply to the
remarks of your chairman, that | am highly
gratified to receive the assurances he has given
me. They are more than could have expected
unoer the circumstances. l must say was Tn
prepared to receive SO numerous delegation
this occasion; it was unexpected; l had no adea
it was to be so large, or represent many States.
When l expressed as did my willingness to
see at any time so many of you as choose to do
ME the honor to call upon me, and stated that l
should be gratitied at receiving any manifesto
tlons Of regard you nj sht think proper to make,
| was totally unprepared for anything equal to
the present demonstration. | am free to say it
excites in my mind feelings and emotions that
language is totally inadequate to express. When
look back upon my past actions and recall
period scarcely more than four short years ago,
when,1 stood battling for principles which 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 on this occasion to man
ifest disposition to support. | say now, as |
have said on many former occasions that [ en-
OH tJaS
animosites to any living soul south Of Mason
and Dixon's Iine, however much he may have
differed from NE in principle The stand :hen
took claim to have beer the ouly true one. l
remember how | stood pleading with my South
ern brethren when they stood with their hats in
their hands ready to turn their backs upon the
United States; bow I implored them to stand
with me there and maintain our rights and fight
our battles under the laws and Constitution of
the United States. l think now, as thought
then, and endeavored to induce them to believe,
that our true position was under the law and
under the Constitution Of the Z mon with the
institution of slavery with it; but if that princi-
pie made an issue that rendered disiutesration
posslble-E that made issue which should
prevent US from transmitting to our children a
country as bequeathed to US by our fathers-l
had nothing else to do but stand by the govern
| said then, what you all know, that was for
the institutions Of the country as guaranteed by
the Constitution, but above ali things l was for
the Union Of the States l Irtnlember the taunts,
the jeers, the scowles with which was treated.
remember the circle that stood around me,
and remember the threats and irtinlidations that
were freely uttered by the men who opposed me,
and whom | wanted to befriend aud guide by
the light that led me; but, feeling conscious in
my own integrity, and that was right, needed
not what they might say or do to me, and was
inspired and encouraged to do my duty regard
less Of aught else, and have lived to see the
realization of my predictions and the fatal error
of those whom 1 vainly essayed to save from the
results | could not but foresee. Gentlemen, we
have passed through this rebellion. L say we,
for it was we who arc responsible for it.
Yes, the South made the issue, and 1 know
the nature Of the Southern people we'll enough
to know that when they have become convinced
of an error, they frankly acknowledge it, in a
manly, open, direct manner; and now In the per-
formance 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
understand them as saying that 1--WE made the
issue. We set up the union Of the Stats against
the institution Of slavery, we selected arbi-
traitor the God of battles; the arbtrament was
the sword. The issue was fairly and hoDor4bly
met. Both the questions presented have oeen
settled against US, and We are prepared to accept
the ISSUE" | find on all sides this spirit of
candor and honor prevailing. 1t is said by all
the issue was ours, and the judgment has been
given against US, and the decision having been
made against US, we feel bound in honor to abide
by the arbitrament. In doing this, we do not
feel humiiated or degraded, but rather that we
arc ennobling ourselves by our action; and We
should feel that the Government has treated US
and meet the Government upon
the terms 1t has SO magnanimousy protfered US. !
So far as | am concerned, personally, | am un
by no question, whether it affects the !
North the South, the East or the West. l
stand where cid of old, battling for the Con- |
In doing so, know I op66sed some of you gen.
tlemen of the South when this doctrine of seces
sion was being urged upon the country, and the |
declaration of your right to break up the Gov !
ernment and disinteerate the Union, was made.
l stand to-day, as | have ever stood, firmly IN |
the opinion that if monopoly contends against
this country the monopoly must go down, and
the country must go up. es, the issue was |
made by the South against the Government, and
the Government has triumphed; and the South /
true to her ancient instincts OF frankness and !,
manly honor, coules forth and expresses her will .
lingness to abide the result of her decision In /
good faith While think that the rebellion I
has been arrested and subdued, and am happy /
in the consciousness of duty well performed, .
| wan, not only you, but the people OF the world .
to know that while dreaded and feared disin- +
tegration of the States, am equally opposed to /
concentration of power here, !
under whatever guse or name; and if the issue .
Is forced nnnn Us [ shall stitl eudeayor to DUR