The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-09-22
A Southern Delegation.

A delegation Of Souherners represent.
ing Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Flor.
ida, Arkansas, Virginia and Tennessee,
numbering fifty or sixty persons, ,calIed,on
the President. Hon. w H. Mcfarland. of
Virginia, addressed him on behalf of the
visitors, saying it became his agreeable
duty to say they desired to assure him of
their personal regard ,and their confidence
In his purpose to administer the Govern.
ment On the highest principles OF wisdom
ana mature statesmanship, confident his
policy would be earnestly sustained by the
entire South, and that devotion to the
Union and free institutions would charac.
terize all their political and personal acts,
and it was their purpose ever cheerfully
and earnestly to support him and his ad.
min'stration OF the General Government,
end, on making this pledge as gentlemen,
they had a right TO dem and credence for
sincerity. Mr.. Mcfarland elaborated his
views, concluding with thanks TO the Pres.
ldent for his patient attention and dispo.
siIion TO give full faith to tho sincerity of
those he represented. Whatever might
be said to the contrary, the purpose and
object OF the entire South, he felt assured,
was restoration and peace on the basis of
the Union Of the States.
The President, in reply, expressed sur
prise at the meeting of so large number
Of gentlemen from the South. He had no
idea.so many persons would call upon him
when he consented to this interview. He
could not command language sufficient to
express the deep qualification he felt for
the visit and patriotic remarks. He spoke
of his position before the civil war. lie
had urged his Southern brethren to re-
main in the Union, and there TO contend
for their constitutional rights. He felt
that it was for their own safety and pro-
lection. He haG always been for recogni.
zlng OF all the constitutional rights OF the
slave States, and believed they could have
been preserved in the Union il the issue
had been made in the forum instead of in
the field. lie himself had been slave.
holder, but he had made up his mind that,
il the issue ever narrowed itself down 10
Union and slavery, that slavery must go
and the Union be saved. He had conf
dence in the expressions just uttered of
devotion to the restoration of the Union,
and the profession OF loyalty so generally
evlnced.. He was assured the disposition
was to aid in building up the waste places
of the South, and in restoring peace, hap.
piness, good will and union. 'e.. . 49,.
90 lie didn't believe the sensation letter.
writers and editors who were endeavoring
to create the impression that there exists
dlsafec'on South. The presence of SO
many eminent men, representing such a
large constituency fully dsproyed it. as
be felt, and gave the lie to :heir pestilent
and malignant u!tersnces. He had con-
fidence in ihe professions OF tho people Of
the South, and Of their purpose TO restore
the Union upon the principles of the Con-
stitution. He hoped that they were ready
10 come up and rally round the Union and
the Constitution, and the enrolling OF fam.
lilies in lies of friendship. Now it was
ended, and he trusted it would be stronger
and more enduring than ever. The mis-.
sion Of this great people was high and
holy, and in Union only could the pur.
poses ofits people and free government be
administered. The President referred to
The existing condition of public affairs, and
tue gratifying and patriotic evidences pre-
sented 70 him OF early restoration Of the
fraternity between the different sections
OF the Union, and the good to follow this
peaceful state Of things, and in conclusion
he expressed wish that men thoroughly
loyal would be elected TO Congress, in or
der that the South may again be admitted
to the councils of the Nation. The re.
marks Of The President were frequently in.
lerrupted by applause, and all seemed
highly gratified by the interview. -.
The Clerical Oath in Missouri.