The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-04-25

81 Mr.. Johnson On Reconstruction.
President JOHNSON seems likely to be
overwhelmed by the alterations OF his
friends. Day after day is passed in a
routine of the reception of delegations
from various States, and various civil or
political bodies, bearing long strings of
wordy resolutions whose reading is pre-
faced by windy speech. Toeach ofthese
delegations Mr.. JOHNSON is expected to
reply, in an address shadowing forth the
policy he expects to pursue, after which
he must shake hands with all the dele
gates and entertain them with an hours
conversation. In addition to these for
nal delegations bearing assurances OF
sympathy and support, the shoai of Of
fice-seekers is already beginning to
throng around the new President and
claim large portionof his time. These
things may be all well enough when in
their place and appropriate to the cir
oumstances. but it is quite possible to
have ''teo much of a good thing" I'm
portant duties, affecting the interests OF
the entire people, have suddenly de
volved upon the President and demand
his immediate and careful consideration.
Let him apply himself as closely as he
may, some time must elapse before he
can fully comprehend the exact situation
of affairs and mark out precisely the path
in which he means to tread. He has had
already enough assurances of popular
support and heard enough resolutions
and addresses. tits time for these things
to cease and allow him to proceed at
once to discharge the more important
duties devolving upon him. &C.,. ..s
1t is worthy of remark that all the va
rious impromptu speeches which Mr..
JOHNSON has thus far made, since the sad
event which SO suddenly devolyed the
duties of the Presidency upon him, have
been characterized by dignity and good
sense They have been concise. forcible
and appropriate He has been prudent
in his expressions Of opinion as to the
course the government should pursue
pointing to his past record for informs
ton concerning his views as an individ-
nal and declaring that he will be gov
erned in the future by the aspect of the
events which may arise
Now that the military power of the
rebellion is we'll nigh crushed. the qnes.
tion of reconstruction is the most i'm
,portant one coming before the President
and his advisers Mr. JOHNSON is well
known to be opposed TO the State SUR
eide theory advanced by Mr. SuNNEE
and Others "a cover for schemes of cen
tralization. The following extract from
the Presidents reply to the Indiana del
egation, last Friday, illustrates his posi-
ton in reference to this matter: /.
Upon this idea of destroying States,
my position has been heretofore well
Known aud there is no cause to change
it now, and I ain glad to hear its reitera-
ton on the present occasion. Some are
satisfied with the idea that .the States
are to be lost in territorial and other di-
visions, and are to lose their characteras
States. but their life-breath has been OH
ly suspended, and it is a high constitu-
tional obligation we have to secure each
of these States in the possession aud en-
joyment Of a republican form OF govern
ment. A State may be in the govern
ment with peculiar institution, and Ivy
the operation OF rebellion, loose that fea-
ture, but it was State when it went in
to rebellion, and when it comes out with
out the institution it is still State
(Greas applause.] Il holdjit as a solemn
obligation in any one of these States
where rebel armies have been beaten
back or expelled, l care not how small
the number Of Union men, IL. enough 10
imam The ship Of Statc, holdit, say IA
high duty to protect and secure Ia them
IL republican form of government, This
is no new opinion. 1t is expressed in con
fOrmity with my understanding of the
genius and theory of our government
Then, in adjusting and putting the gov
eminent upon. its legs again, think the
progress of this work must pass into the
hands of its friends Applause If a
State is to be nHsed until it again gets
strength, it must benursed byits friends,
not smothered by its enemies. APP
plause. Now, permit me to remark, that
while have opposed dissolution and
disintegration on the one.hand, OH the
other | am as equally opposed to
consolidation, Applause, or the central
izatien of power in the hands OF the
few" .-...........-