The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-09-14
THE PRESIDENTS LATEST SPEECH.

II la y EAASSA
We devote much of our space to-day
to the particulars of the recent inter-
view had with President Johnson and
Secretary Seward by a large delegation
of leading Southern gentlemen. The
reply of his Excellency to the address of
Mr.. mcfarland, contains some very i'm
portant and significant %utterances,
which will be ijoyfully accepted at the
South us Il further proof of the conf
dence of the President in the good faith
of the people, and the honesty of their
professions of loyalty and fidelity to the
Union and their returning love of coun-
try. The Presidents words were sooth-
ing and cheering, and are calculated to
increase his growing popularity every
where in the South, as they serve to in
dictate the deep interest he takes in the
prompt restoration of the States recent
ly in instruction to all of their
former rightsand privileges. His listen
ers We're attentive, and the earnestness
with which he expressed his full SYM
pathy with his native South, and his
forgetfulness of all personal wrongs in
fiicted upon himself, conveyed to them
and through them to the entire South
ern people, the assurance that Andrew
Johnson is not only the friend of the
South, but its very best and most disin-
tcrested friend-one that is constantly
testifying his friendship by deeds as
well as words. With such views as the
President holds, and which are devel-
oped, not only in.this speech, but also
in his letter to Governor Sharkey, and
by his daily acts in pardoning those en-
gagged in the rebellion, and restoring
them to public favor, il will not require I
much time to reinstafe the Southern
States in their former position in the
Union, to harmonic all discOrdant
and to remove all difficulties
With their civil and political rights re-
to these States by the President,
Congress will have but little to do when
it assemblies. The work will have been
accomplished-peace restored to the
country, the equal rights of the States
'oiy ieNSeu, uhO Vic NSASu
questions with regard to which the good
and true men of the North and South
differed, settled in an amicable and fra
ternal spirit and satisfactorily to all who
have the real interests of their country
at heart.
Reconstruction and restoration are
Indeed making gigantic strides, for the
work has progressed so rapidly that but
little remains to be done; and, according
to the Presidents idea, and with the con-
iidence he expresses in the soundness of
the people, what is yet to be accom-
plished will require a very short space
of time. With the militia organized
throughout the South, the expense of
keeping the United States soldiers on
guard Gamble dispensed with, and our
army, by the time Congress meets, will
have again dwindled down to the
Insignificant dimensions of q peace
establishment. Congress will have
nothing left to do. That body can
not go back and undo what the Execu-
tive has done, although it may refuse to
admit the Congressman from the South.
Well, what if they should be refused 4?
They can retaliate by returning to their
homes and quietly remaining until
Congress shall invite them to come and
AXE their place in the National Councils.
The Southern States can afford to dis I
oense with those expensive luXuries, |
enators and representatives, for a few :,
ears, without much injury to their ma
erial prosperity, or their political power 6
nd prestige. |
rhepeople ofthe South will receive with t
y this renewed mark of Executive ia =
brand confidence, and will gladly clutch r
the olive branch SO kindly pressed L
pom their acceptance /; and they will, i
feel proud of the ready faith >
ven to their newborn loyalty, and the n
ust so confidingy reposedin the hon. h
ty of theirintentions. Letthem, then, g
themselves worthy of that conf :,
'hce, and set diligently to work, and y,
once, to carry into effect the wishes of a.
neir true friend, President Johnson. Isl
' = ADVISE a careful reading of these Ia u
ueVelo pments in the progress of re-
onoiaiion and refrigeration, as they
= st ss a more than ordinary interest. lal
,"a. VLariy the interview with Mr.. Sc. of
,' Ihese arc more than shadows I'll
w. are realities that indicate coming is
' ems, In which we of the South have q 6
n important part to fulfil. -
THE FUTURE OF NORFOLK. str
Are the people of Noreo,I. ha'