The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-06-26
RECONSTRUCTION.
South Carolina Delegation.
An Interesting Interview.
Interview Between II resident J 0hnson
and the South Carolina Delegation.

w
is the substance of the conversation at
.ou and the South Carolina delegation:
The President thought the question
not fully settled The question as to
whether the black man shall be engraft-
ed in the Constitution, will be settled as
we 90 along. He would net disguise the
fact that while he had been prosecuted
and denounced at the South, as a traitor,
he loved the great mass of the Southern
people. He opposed the rebellion at its
breaking out and fought it everywhere,
and now wanted the principles of the
Government carried out and maintained
Mr. Holmes interrupted by saying
We want to get back to the composition,
as YOU describe. As we are without law
no courts are open, and you have the
power to assist us
The President replied that the Gov
ernment cannot go on unless it is based
on the right The people ofSouth Caro-
lima must have convention and amend
their constitution by abolishing slavery
and this must be done in good faith, and
the convention or Legislature must
adopt the proposed amendment to the
Constitution of the United States. which
prohibits and excludes slavery every
where
One Of the delegates says: We are
most anxious for civil rule, for we have
had more than enough of military des
potism
The President refusing, said AS the
Executive he could only take the initia
tory steps to enable them to do the thing
which it was incumbent upon them to
perform.
Another OF the delegation remarked
that it was assumed in some parts OF this
country that in consequence OF the re-
bellion the southern States had forfeited
their rights as members of the COnted-
eracy, and that if restored it could only
be on certain conditions, one of which
was that slavery shall be abolished.
This could be done only through con-
vention.
The ,President repeated that the fric
ton of the rebellion had rubbed slavery
ont, but it would be better so to declare
by law, as one of the delegates had just
remarked, that the Constitution OF South
Carolina did not establish slavery 1t
was better to insert clause antagonistio
to slavery
Delegate Frost said substantially: The
object of our prayer is the appointment
of a Governor. The State of South Car
olina will accept this condition. We de-
sire restoration as soon as possible. 1t is
the part of wisdom to make the best Of
circumstances. Certain delusions have
been dispelled by the revolution. among
them that slavery is an element of politi-
cal strength and moral power. 1t is very
certain that the old notions respecting
States rights in the maintenance Of
which those who made the rebellion in
South Carolina erred, have ceased to
exist Anothar delusion, viz: that cot
ton is king, has likewise vanished in
mist. We are to come back with these
notions dispelled and with new system
of labor
The people of South Carolina will oCr-
daily cooperate with the Government
in making that labor effective and ele-
waiting to the negro, as much as they can.
1t is, however, more work OF time than
the labor of enthusiasm and fanaticism.
The people of the South have the largest
interest in the question. We are willing
to cooperate for selfish, if for no higher
motives We have taken the liberty
encouraged by your kindness, to throw
out suggestions by which the policy OF
the Government will be most surely and
effectually subserved
request that the new system OF labor
be inaugurated by sober, sound and dis
Greet Judgment The negroes are igno
rant. Their minds are much int1amed
with liberty They are apt to confound
liberty with license Their great idea Is
that freedom consists of exemption from
work We will take i'll good faith and
carry out your intentions with zeal, and
hone for the best, and now will rejoice
more than the people of the South, ii
emancipation proves successful. Free
dom to the slave is freedom to the mas
ter, provided You supply motive for in
dustry
The people OF South Carolina, from
their fidelity to honor have submitted to
great sacrifices They endured all. We
are defeated and conquered by the north,
who are too strong for ue-the same good
faith which animated them in their
contest will not be found wanting in
their pledge OF loyal support to the Gov
ernment There may grow OF this bless,
ings which you have not forseen, and
some other pleasing rays now illuminate
the horizin.
I suppose the oath of allegiance will
be taken with as much unanimity i'll
South Carolina as anywhere else, and we
will submit to the condition OF things
Providence has assigned, and endeavor
to believe all discords harmony not I'M
derstood and partial evil universal good
We cheerfully accept the measures rec
ommended, and would thank you to
nominate at your convenience GoT'I-
mar to carry cut tie wishes you have c%-
pressed
President J9Lucou asked the dciega-
ton to submit whom the vouid prefer
as Provisional Governor.
To this they replied that tEer Eai
list. viz: A McCiebal Boyce, Col Man.
ninr. late Governor and D. r. Perry: ali
of them were spoken of as good men, out
who had been more or less involved in
the rebellion Mr. Perry was a District
Judge in the Confederacy until few
weeks before it collapsed. ana is said to
have always been good Union man and
a gentleman OF strict integrity. The
people certainly would respect him. and
and he could not fail to tie accepted
The President said he knew Benjamin
Parry well. having ser-ed with him IN
CONGRESS There was no spirit of ven
aeance or viudictiveness on the paJt OF
fhe Government. whose ONLY f.