The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-11-20
President J Johnson aud the south.

A immense ratification meeting was
held in Memphis, Tennessee, one day
last week, composed almost entirely OF
men who had been engaged in the rebel
lion Speeches were made and resoiu-
tions passed, all breathing spirit OF 10y
atty to the Constitution oil the United
States, and expressing the utmost conf
dence in the good intentions and wisdom
OF President JoHNsON's administration.
Rev. ALFRED KERR Presbyterian cler-
gyman, was one of the speakers and re-
lated an account of an interview he had
recently had with the President and the
conversation that occurred,
"He was in Washington recently. and
urged the President. WHO looked feeble
and exhausted, not to overtaX himself.
Mr. Johnson replied that it was 4 slngu-
lar Providence that he should be Presi-
dent at this crisis, and, by the help of
God, the South should have all she was
entitled to The reverend gentleman ill.,
quired to what rights the South WAS en-
titled, and the President replied th"t, in
the Union, they We're entitled To all that
freemeD were entitled to, under the Con-
stitution. He SAID there was no power
in the North 70 keep the South III vas
salage. Let her come with clean re-
cord, and We will beat them"
A number of speeches were made by
various gentlemen, some Of whom had
held prominent positions in the Confed
crate army. General FORREST was call
cd for, but was not in the city. We ex-
tract from the Memphis Appeal the fol-
lowing report of some of she remarks
that were made, which serve TO SHOW the
spirit that animated the meeting.
Charles kor5recht, ESQ.--lie pictured
how the President had trusted the pcu-
pie OF tho South Ii ,hcy are false TO hiu,
aud fail i'll sustaining him III his plaus
of restoration, both he aud the South
are ruined. Andy Johnson and the
South are as much in the same boat as
when he was making speeches for Brock
inridge, in eighteen hundred and sixty.
Mr.. j. A. Smith This gentleman was
most happy in his speech. 1t gave him
pleasure to add his voice to the indorse-
ment which has been placed upon the
policy of Andrew johnson. He stands
to-day" said the eloquent speaker, bar
ing his bosom to the storm. As men of
honor, you are right in lending him your
aid. He is graphing with the greatest
problem ever committed TO man, that of
restoring the old amity and friendship of
the sections" We make no effort to fol-
low the eloquent and convincing faueies
Of the speaker.
Mr. W. j. Sykes.-This gallant and elo-
quept Tannesseean mounted the rostrum
reluctantly. Himself Confederate SOL
dier, he was anxious to hear the views
Of other, and, as he was modest enough
to say, better soldiers He spoke for
she Confederate army, and the Federal III
my. He believed that if the question were
submitted to the men who had fought,
one to save, and the other to destroy the
Union, ITS perfect restoration would be
effected in u few weeks. He fought man
fully, and sacrificed everything for the
cause. When Confederate soldiers took
the oath of amnesty they were ia earnest
They had really turned their swords in.
to pillow shares, and their Sears into
pruning hooks. The abolition of slave
ry, he said, was accepted by the Confed-
crate soldiers, and the best friends of the
negroes were their former owners. He
denounced In the most bitter terms, the
Radicals, who are now calling for blood,
but shed none when the country was In
danger. He concluded with an incident
in the life of Mr.. johnson, which showed
his consistency from the beginning to
the present He has full faith in the con-
sistency, virtue and patriotism of the
President. .... ..,..,f ,la .l
Fromcevsry portion of the South we
hear the same generous expressions of
confidence in tho President and acquiss-