The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-09-19
From the Washington Chronicle of the l2th.
THE PRESIDENTS VIEWS.

lie Trusts the South-Does not Bekieve IN
Sensation Letter Writers and Editors.
Yesterday morning delegation of Southern
ers, numbering some fifty persons, representing
seven States Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi,
Florida, Arkansas, Virginia, and Tennessee
called on President johnson, for the purpose of
paying their respects aud expressing their con-
tdence in his Administration, and returning
thanks for the lenient course he las pursued to-
ward their respective States.
The delegation was introduced to the Presi-
dent at about 10 o'clock, and, after the usual
courtesies, Hon. W. Fl. Macfarand, Of Virginia.
addressed the President, in substance as fol-
lows:
1t became his agreeable and pleasant duty to
say that they called upon him TO assure him of
their personal regard, and their confidence in
his purpose to administer the Government upon
the highest principles of wisdom and mature
craftsmanship; confident that his policy would
be earnestly sustained by the entire South, and
that devotion to the Union and free institutions
would~eyer characterize all their political and
personal acts; and it was their purpose ever
cheerfully and earnestly to support him and his
administration Of the General Government, and
in making this pledge as gentlemen, they had
right to demand full credeuce for their sincerity
In behalf of the South, he thanked the Presi-
dent for the leniency that had been shown
may be said to the contrary, the purpose and
object Of the entire South, he felt assured, was
for restoration and peace upon the basis Of the
Union of the States.
After Mr. Mcfarland had concluded his re-
marks, President johnson replied eloquently,
expressing qualification at having so large del
egation OF Southerners call upon him. He SAID.
he could not find language adequate to express
the deep qualification he felt at the visit:
He spoke of his antecedent position before
the civil war; he had urged his Southern !breth.
rem to remain In the Union, and there to con-
tend for their Constitutional rights. He felt it
vas their only safety and protection He had
always been tor the recognition of all the con-
stitutional rights of the slave owning States,
and believed they could have been preserved in
the Union, if the issue had been made in the
forum instead of in the field. He himself had
been STAKEHOLDER, but he had made up his
mind if the issue ever narrowed itself down to
the Union and slavery, that slavery mast go,
and the Union be saved.
He said he had confidence in their devotion
to the restoration of the Union and professions
of loyalty SO generally evidenced, and he was
assured that the disposition was to al d in build
storing peace, happiness, good will and union.
He did not believe the sensation letter writers
and editors who were endeavoring to create the
impression that there existed in the South dis
affection and dissatisfaction, for the presence of
so many eminent and distinguished gentlemen,
representing such large constituency, fully
disproved the fact.
He said he had confidence in the professions
fthe people of the South and of their purpose
to restore the Union upon the principles of the
Constitution, and he hoped and believed they
were ready to como up and rally around the
Union and the Constitution.
The fead existing was family quarrel, and
the ties of friendship, now it was ended, he
trusted would be stronger and moro enduring
than ever lie said the mission of this great
people was high and holy, and in the Union
Iy could the purposes of its people and free gov
eminent be administered
The President continued in an eloquent man
to refer to the existing condition Of public
affairs, and the future grandeur of tlds mighty
nation, when the fraternity between the diff
ereht sections of the uuion is fully restored.