The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-09-14
What President johnson. Intends

On the occasion of an interview be-
tween the President and a committee of
Southern men, Mr.. Johnson made a
speech from which we make the follow
ling extracts: 80
81 stand where I did Of old, battling
for the Constitution and the Union of
these United States. -.
"The issue was made by the South
against the Government, and the Gov
eminent has triumphed; and the South,
true to her ancient instincts of frankness
and manly honor, comes forth and ex-
presses her willingness to abide the re-
suit of the decision in good faith. While
think that the rebellion has been ar
rested and subdued, and am happy in
the consciousness of a duty well perform
ed, I want not only you, but the people
Of the world to know, that while dread
ed and feared disintegration Of the
States, am equally opposed to CONSOLE
dation or concentration of power here,
under whatever guise or name; and if
the issue is forced upon us, shall still
endeavor to pursue the same efforts to
dissuade from this doctrine of running
to extremes. But / say, let the same
rules be applied; let the Constitution
be our guide; let the preservation of
that and the Union of the States be our
principal aim.
Gentlemen, if l know myself, as l
think / do, l know that / am of the
Southern people, and l love them and
Will do all in my power to restore them
to that state ofhappiness and prosperity
Which they enjoyed before the madness
OF misguided men in whom they had re-
lnCn6 fhnir Opp,fS Il 1<,I - /
their own undoing. Ifthere is anything
that can be done on my part. on correct
prlnclples-On the principles of the con-
stitution-to promote these ends. be as
sured it shall be done. Let me assure
you, also, that there is 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. Do not let them trouble or ex-
cite you, but believe that it is, as it is,
the great object Of the Government to
make the Union of these United States
more complete and perfect than ever,
ana to maintain it ON constitutional
principles, If possible, more firmly than
1t has ever before been. Then why cam
not 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, as wise
men, AS men who see right and are de-
termineG to follow it as fathers and
brothers, and as men who love their
country IN this aulir. Of trouble and suf-
fering-why cannot we come up and
help to settle the questions of the hour
and adjust them according to theprincl-
pies OF. honQr-and Of justice? .As.
All | ask or desire OF the South or
the North tie East or the West, is to be
sustained iiff-iestrrying out the principles
Of the Gonsti tuition. 1t is MOTTO be de-
MED that wa have been great sufferers
on both Sides Good men2 have fallen
on Doth sides, and much misery is being
endured a. the necessary results of so gi-
gahtie q contest. Why, then, cannot we
come together, and around the common.
altar OF our country heal the weunds
that have been made: Deep wounts
have been inflicted. Our country hay
been Scared all over. iThemwhy taniiot
we approach each other. upon principles
Which are right in themselves and which
will be productive of good to all? The
Gay lsTnot distant when we shall feel
like some family that have had deep
and desperate teud. the various nelfi-