Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-11-17
President johnson and the Constitution
al Amendment.

al Amendment.
President johnson is not to be honey-iu-
gled out OF the adoption Of the Constitution
al Amendment by an Indisputable vote OF
three-fourths of the State Legislatures.
Whatever else may be yielded, that point he
intends shall be made secure. Slavery is to
be cut up by the roots and killed past all re-
covery. By the Constitutional Amendment
when once adopted, not only is slavery de-
clared no longer to have any existence
throughout the United States and wherever
the L. S. flag prevails, but Congress is IN
express terms, empowered to enact laws to
carry that provision into effect Wherever
and whenever any sprout of slavery shall ap-
pear Congress can apply the grubbing tool
and no cry can be raised that Congress is IN
terfering with State privileges. The fol-
lowing report of an interview between de-
legation from North Carolina and President
johnson shows his determination on this
subject
WASHINGTON, Nov. l0--To-day the members
/ of the late North Carolina Convention. and
| other members of that State, visited the PTesl-
/ dent, when Hon. Mr.. Reade, on behalf Of the
! Convention over which he had the honor to pre-
| side, presented for his favorable consideration
certain Of its proceedings The Convention hav-
1 ing Welded what was involved in the var, and
beng of the opinion that the State was, and al
yays had been, in the Union, and that our re-
latious had only been disturbed and not destroy
ed, respectfully ask your Excellency TO declare
| on the part of the authorities Of the United
| States. as the State has done her part, that cur
governmental relations have been reconclled.
| The Convention instructed the Legislature to
provide for the payment Of the debts of the
State. declared all debts contracted in aid of the
rebellion illegal, and prohibited the payment Of
the same.
MIR Reade said - We have heard that not
withstandln- the State might yield, and, as she
understands it, has yielded, al that was involved
in the war, and notwithstanding our people
were submissive, well disposed and anxious. fol-
fraternal relations, her delegation IN Congress;
would be required to take an oath which few
men in the State can take, affirming not mere
IL that they are right now, but that they hav,
never been wrong The exclusion Of her delega
ton upon any such test as Is suggested woulC
be felt by our people universally as such a deeI
wrong that it would put their strong devotion
TO the government and their lively hope Of
perfect reconciliation 10 the seyerest trial The
can understand the bitterness Of strife and aver
, sion 10 treason, but they will be couiounded a
the repulsion Of offered friendship and avoWe'
lovalty The Convention therefore respectfully
asks Congress to repeal the test oath. / hav
thought il respectful both to you and Congress
, I -. ,.,.,rae+ chould fhrouuh vou
hands. with the hope that \ our Excellency
maenanrmity would add to it some reflection
r that would avail With that body" The Pres
den trespOndtd as follows:
Hon Mr. Re4de: | receive from you wit
pleasure a copy OF the Proceedings ofthe Con
yention Of North Carolina. | reciprocate cordial
" the couciliatory spirit IN which you have ad
dressed me. The Convention Of North Carolin
has done much and well toward restoring tia
2 State to her proper national relations, but some
thing vet remains 20 he done 70 render tina
restoration Immediately practicable. An accer
tatiou Of the Congressional amendment abolish
ing slavery throughout the United States b
the Legislature OF North Carolina Is, in m
judgement, practically important to the success
, fuI restoration which i 50 much desired by al
Without answering specifically the questions 20
have proposed 10 me, it viii be sufficient 10 "a
2 that my action must depend upon events, an
that Mr. Holden will be again instructed TO con
tinue the exercise Of his functions as Provision
al Governor until he shall have been expressl
relieved by orders to that ELECT
: On the same day, Nov. l0th, the followin
+ telegram, of like import, was sent to tn
, provisional Governor Of South Carolina
s.Your letter Of the 4th is just now received
While much has been done il South Carolina tina
. IS conducive TO peace and restoration, the Prcs
dent still thinks it Is impossible to an;icipai
events lie expects. therefore, you will contin
ne to exercise the duties heretofore devoiyed uf
YOU as Provisional Governor Of South CarolIn
until YOU shall be relieved by his order
I lie observes with regret that neither the stat
, | Convention nor the Legislature has pronounce
the debts and obligations contracted IN the nam
of the State for unconstitutional and even r.
t bellious purposes to be void. Heelually regret
that the State seems TO decline the Congressiou
al amendment TO the Constitution Of the Unite
States abolishing slavery. l telegraphed to 70
; Yesterday as follows
The President directs me to write 10 you tha
an early adoption of the Congressional amend
t | meut of the Constitution Of the United STATE
, abolishing slavery by the South Carolina Legi:
ature is deemed peculiarly important, and Is
peciaIly desirable with reference TO the gener'
D situation Of the Union
have now only 10 say that the President
opinions before expressed remains unchanged.
; ". II. SEWARD"