The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-09-13
President Johnson's Speech to the South
ern Delegations.
Your friend,
N. B. BUFoRD.

President Johnson's Speech to the South
ern Delegations.
NEW YORK, Sept. 12.-The following are
the main points of the very important speech
made yesterday by President johnson to del
egations from the southern states,
GENTLEMEN We have passed through
this rebellion. l say we for it was US who
were responsible for it. Yes the south made
the issue, and | know the nature of the south
ern people well enough to know that when
| they become convinced of an error they frank
! ly acknowledge it in q direct manner, and
in the performance OF duty, or indeed any
act they undertake to perform they do it
heartily and frankly, and now that they
come to me, understand them as saying that
we made the issue. We set up the Union of
the states against the institution of slavery.
We selected the arbitration of the God of bat
ties. The argument was the sword The Is
sue was fully and houorably met. Both the
questions presented have been settled against
US, and we are prepared to accept the issue.
| find on all sides this spirit of candor and
honor prevailing. The issue is over and
the judgement has been against US, and the
decision having been made against we
feel bound in honor to abide by the arbitra-
ton. In doing this we are doing ourselves
no duQ nOt lccl
and degraded, but remember that we are en-
nobling ourselves by our action, and we
should feel the government has treated us
magnanimously and meet the government up
on the terms it has 80 magnanimously prof
fered US.
So far as | am concerned, personally, | am
unaffected by any question, whether it Affects
the north the south, east or west | stand
where l did of old, battling for the oonstitu-
ton and Union of these United States In
doing so, | know | opposed some of you of
the south when the doctrine of secession was
being urged on the country, and the declars-
ton of your ri ght to break up the government
and dlsentegra,e the Union was made
stand to-day as l have ever stood, firmly in
the opinion if monopoly contends against
this country 1t must go down. If the issue
made by the south against the government
was wrong, and the government has triumph
ed, and the south. true TO her ancient instinct
OF frankness and manly honor, comes forth
and expresses her willingness TO abide the re-
suit of the decision, in good faith.
While think that the rebellion has been
arrested and subdued, and am happy in the
consciousness of duty we'll performed, |
want not only you but the people OF the
world to know that while derided and feared
disintegration of the states, / am equally op-
posed to consolidation or concentration of
power here, under whatever guise or name it
bears and If the issue is forced upon US
shall still endeavor to pursue the same efforts
to dissuade from the doctrine OF running TO
extremes.
l am grateful to see SO many of you here
to-day. 1t manifests spirit / am glad to
observe. l know it has been said of me that
my asperities are sharp; that ] had vindict-
i've feelings to crafty, and that should not
fail avail mVspIf of the
would present themselves to crafty such des
picable feelings, 1t my own acts will not
speak for me and for themselves more than
any profession might now make would be |
equally useless. But gentlemen, if / know |
myself, as / think do, know that | am of |
the southern people, and | love them and |
Will do all IN my power to restore them to |
that state of happiness and prosperity which |
they enjoyed before the madness of misguided \
men, in whom they had reposed their conusels
led them astray to their own uudoing If
there is anything that can be done on NV
part, on correct principles of the constitution.
to promote these ends, be assured il shall be
done.
Let me assure you also, that there ia no
disposition on the part of the government to
deal harshly with the southern people. There
may be speeches published from various
quarters that may breathe different spirit.
10 not let them trouble or excite you hut
believe that it is the great object of the gov
ernment to make the Union of these United
States more complete end perfect than ever.
and to maintain 1T on constitutional prinoi-
pies 1T possible, more friendly than il has
ever before been !; then why cannot we all
come up to the work in a proper spirit In
other words, let US look to the constitution.
The issue has been made and decided. Then
rs wise men; as men whose rights and are
determined to follow il as fathers and broth.
ere, and as men who love their country in
his hour of trial and suffering, why can't we
some up and help to settle the questions of
The hour, and adjust them according to the
principles of honor and of justice. The in.
'titutisn of slavery is gone. The former sta
tues OF the negro had to be changed, and we. /.
rs wise men must recognize so latent a fact
md adapt ourselves to circumstances N thew =
surround us. Voices. We are willing 10
10 go. Yes, sir, we are willing to do so.
Deleve you are. / believe when vour
alth is pledged-when your consent has
'een given. as have already said, believe :
{ VIII be maintained in good faith. and ey. 4
~ pledge or promise fully carried ont :
Cries, ''it will" All ask or desire of the
outh or north, the east or west, is TO be sps-
aimed In carrying Out the principles of the
constitution. 1t is not to be denied that NE
ave been great sufferers on both sides-
food men have fallen and much misery Is h. C
ng endured as the necessary result of 40 ei.
antic contest. Why, then, cannot we al
ome together and around the communion al IN
IT OF our country; heal the wounds thar =
ave been made? Our country has been =