The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-09-13
Associated Press Report.
SPEECH OF PREsIDEsr JoH4sOy

NEW YORK. September / 2.
The following are the main points of the
very important speech made yesterday BY
President johnson to the delegation from
the Southern States:
GENTLEMEN; We have passed through
this rebellion. say we, for it was us who
were responsible for it. Yes, the South
made the issue, and know the nature of
the Southern people well enough to know
that when they have become convinced Of
sn error they frankly acknowledge it in q
| direct manner. And now in the perform.
snce of that duty, or any act they under
take they do it heartily and frankly. Now
they have come to me, as l understand
them saying, I'VE made the issue; we
placed the union of the States against the
Institution of slavery. We selected the
arbitrator, the God of battles. The issue
wss fairly and honorsbly met Both cues.
tions presented have been ssttled, and we
are prepared to stop the ISSUE I find OF
all sides this spirit of candor and honesty
prevaiTs. It Is said the issue Is Uurs, ana
judgment has been against us; and the
decision having been made sgsinst us, we
feel bound in honor to abide by the srbi
trsment. In doing this we are dong
ourselves no dishonor, and should not feel
humiliated, but rather that we are en-
nobling ourselves by our action, and we
should feel that the government has treat
ed us msgnanimously. So far as am con-
cerned l am uninfuenced by any question
whether it affects the North or South, the
East or West. stand where did of old,
battling for the constitution and the Union
of these United States. In doing go l
know opposed some of you of the South
when the doctrine of secession was being
urged on the country, and the declaration
of your right to break up the government
and disintegrate the Union was made. 1
stand to-day as ever, firmly in the opinion
that if q monopoly contends against this
country it must 90 down and the coun-
try must go up. Yes, the issue was made
by the South against the govern
ment, and the government has
beaten, and the South, true to
her ancient instincts of frankness and
manly honor, comes forth and expresses
its willingness to abide the result of the de-
cision in good faith. While I think that
the rebellion has been arrested and sub
dued, and am happy in the consciousness of
q duty well performed, want not only you
but the world to know, that while dread
cd and feared the disintegrstion of the
States, am equally opposed to consolids-
tion and the centrRlizstion of power here
under whatever name they may occur and
if the issue is forced on US shall still en-
deavor to pursue the same efforts TO dis.
suade from this doctrine of running to ex-
tremes. But 1 say let the same rules be
applied. As have before remarked, l
am grstiAed to see so many of you here
It manifests spirit am glad to observe.
know that it has been said about me
that my asperities are sharp; that l had
vindicuve feelings to crafty and that L
should not fail to avail myself of the op.
portunities. If my acts DO not speak for
me and for themselves, then any profession
] might now make would be useless. But,
gentlemen, if know myself as think l
do, think l know the Southern people and
love them, and will do all in my power to
restore them TO that state of happiness and
prosperity they enjoyed before the mad
ness of misguided men, in whom they re-
posed confidence, led them astray. II
there is anything that can be done on my
part in correct principles of the coDstitu.
ton to promote these ends, be assured it
shall be done. Let me assure you that
there is no disposition on the part of the
Government TO deal harshly with the South.
ern people. There may be speeches pub.
llshed from various quarters that may
breath different spirit. Do not let them
trouble or excite you, but believe it is the
great object of the Government to make
the Union Of these United States more
complete and perfect than ever, and main
tain it on constitutional principles more
firmly than ever before.
Than Univ can't oil aOr1o mn "a he
work in q proper spirit; in other words,
let us look to the Constitution. The issue
has been made and reached. Then as
wise men, as men who see right and are
determined to follow it, IS fathers and
brothers, and as men who love their coun-
try in this hour of trial and suffering, why
can't We come up and help to settle the
questions of the hour, and adjust them ac-
cording to the principles Of justice and
Of honor. The institution of slavery is
gone, the former status Of the negro had to
be changed, and we, as wise men, must re-
cognize so potent fact, and sdApt our
selves TO circumstances IS they surround
us. Voices-We are willing to do 60.
Yes, Sir, we are willing to do so I be-
lieve you sre. I believe when your faith
is pledged, when your consent has been
given, SIS have already said, believe it
will be maintained in good faith, and every
pledge fully carried out Cries-"It will."1
All ask or desire of the South or North,
the East or West is to be sustained in car
rying out the principles OF the Constitu-
tion. 1t is not to bs denied that we have
been great sufferers on boih sides. Good
men have fallen, and much misery is being
endured, as the necessary result of 60 gi-
gantlc contest. Why then cannot we
come together around the common altar Of