The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1865-09-20
speech of President johnson 20
the Southern Delegatt

sou to the delegadon from the oouthern |
States:
GENrLEMEK:-We have passed through !
this rebellion. | say We, forit 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
an error they frankly acknowledge it in a
manly, open, direct manner; and now, in
any act they undertake to perform, they do
it heartily and frankly. And now that they
come to me, / understand them as saying
that I'VE made the issue. We set up the
Unicn of the States against the Institution
of slavery. We selected the arbitrator, the
God OF battles; the argument was the
sword. The issue was fairly and honorably
met Both the questions presented have
been settled against us, and we are prepar-
ed to accept the issue" | find on sidel
this spirit of candor and honor prevailing.
1t is said ly ALL the issue is ours, and the
Judgment has been against us, we feel bound
in honor to abide by the arbitrament. In
d, ing this we are doing ourselves no dis
homo, and should not feel humiliated or de-
aradtd, but rather that we are ennobling
ourselves BY our action; and We should feel
that the Government has treated us mag
unanimously, and meet the Government
the terms it has so maenanimously proHered
US. So far as am concerned personally, l
am uninhucnced by any question, whether
it affects the North or thg South, the East
or the Vest | stand where | did of old,
battling for the Constitution and the Union
Of these United States. In doing so |
know Iopposed some OF you OF the South,
| when the doctrine OF secession was hehg
urged on the country and the declaration OF
! our right to break up the Government and
disintegrate the Union, was made | stand
| to-day as | have ever stood, firmly in tn ,
opinion that If monopoly contc nd5 against
| this country it must 20 down and til, coun-
trv must 90 UP. Yes the issue %as made
by The South against the Government, and
the South true to her ancient instincts of
! frankncss and manly honor, comes forth
and expresses its willingness to abide the re-
suit of the decision in good faith. While
j think that rebellion has been arrested and
Subdued. and am happy in the conscouls-
ness of a duty well performed, l want not
only YOU hut the people OF the world, to
| know that while ! dreaded and feared disin-
tpgration Of the States, | am equally oppos-
ed to consolidation Or concentration OF pow
er here, under whatever guise or name they
bear, and if the issucis forced upon US, !
shall still ei1eusor to pursue the same ct
forts TO dissuade from This doctrine. Of run
ming TO extrsiil{s;; rSji but ! say lei the same same
rules be applied:
AS / have Before remarked to yop, I, ,am
grateful to see so mary OF you here to-day,
1t manif;stS spirit l am pleased to OBJ
: serve. Iknow it has been said OF me that
my asporlties were sharp; that Had yinlic
tive feelings to CRAFTY. an | that | should
not fail to avail myself of the opportunities
that would present themselves to CRAFTY
such despicable, feelings Il my acts will
not speak for me, and for themselves, then
r apy profession might now make would be
be equally useless. But, gentlemen, if
know myself, as | think do, | know that
am of the S,uth rhp ople, and | love then
{. and viii do all in my power to restore then
to that state of happiness and prosperity
which they enjoyed before the madness o
misguided men, in whom they had repose,
their confidence, led them astray. tc then
\ own undoing. Ii there is any thing that
can be done on. my part, on correct prlncl
: pies of the Constitution, to promote thest
J, ends, be assured it shall be done. Let m
q assure you, also, that there is no disposition
: on the part of the Government to dea
}, harshly with the Southern people. Ther
u may be speeches published from .variou
: quarters that may breathe differen
}, spirit. Do not let them trouble or excit
~ YOU; but believe thot it is the great objec
o of khe Government to make the Union o
i The United States more complete and pei
! feet than ever, and to maintain it and Ou
t. constitutional. principles, if possible, nor
,, firmly than it has ever before been. .,-
d Then W by cannot we all come up to II
d work in proper spirit In other words, Il
1t us look to the Constitution. The issue h;
# been made and decided. Then as wise mel
~ as men.who see Alright and are determine
G to follow as fathers AMI brothers, and ;
d. men who love their country in this hour {
trial and suffering, why can we come U
ID and help to settle the questions. Of the hol
and adjust them according 70 the principle
ct of honor and Of justiceY The institute
H. of slavery is gone The former status
l. the negro had to be changed, aud we, 4.
,e wise men, must recognize 50 potent ia
by and adapt ourselves to circumstances
,s- they surround us. Voices-"We are "
H. ling to do 50. Yes, Sir, we are willing
IS, d. 80" | believe you are. l believe whC
us your faith is pledged when your conse
is has been given, as have already Said.
e. nclievc it will be- maintained in good lai
o, and every pledge, or promise. fully. carr
Id out. [Crries-.5.It will All ask or d
il, she Of The South or North, the East
,lyI West, is to be sustained in carrying out t
he principles of the Constitution, 1t is not
II. be denied that we have been great suffcrs
he on bothsides. food men have fallen a
r. much misery is being endured as the neeC
IT. suy result of 50 gigantic a contest. WI
ss, then, cannot We come together and, arop
ed the common altar Of our country, heal L
oh wounds that have been made? Oar cou
,r- try has been scared all over. Then w
IA. cannot We approach ach otheron pripcip
ess which ara right in themscivesand yhchN
be be productive of good to all The day
Iry not distant when We shall feel like sol
Of family that has hid u dc pand deSperi
rts feud, the various members OF which ha
ed come together and compared, the evils a
les sufferings they had Indicted on each.oth
SIS They had secn the influence OF their err
I'd and its result, and will be governed b.
he generous spirit of cplcllation. Ihey h
ld- become mutually sforDea:lng and forgiyir
he and return to tbair old habits of fiiaterl
tbs kindness and become better friends than,
,an'l or. Then let ,us eon,ilcr that the oie
ro. which aalienated 8 has b o settled and |
as justea to mutual satisfaction that we COZ
mt together to be bound by 6rrner bonds oflo'
vas respect and confidence than eyeresd
ro- North cannot get along without the Sou
IN nor the South Without the North, nor /
The East without the West nor the West vi
ing out the Fast and / say tits our duty to
7 all that within our power lies TO perpetul
No. ond make strong thN bonds Of our IIni,