The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-09-12
President Johnson Equally Opposed to
Disintegration and Consolidation.
The SOutherners at Mr.. Stewards
Reception.
Interesting and Amicabie Inter.
view With the Secretary and
Other Cabinet 0@oers.
WASHINGTON, Sept. IL, 1896.

WASHINGTON Sept II, 1895
A large number Of Southern men at present in Wash.
ngton on business with the establishment
Of civil government In their respective States called
the President this morning by appointment, and had
long and agreeable interview. They first assembled in
the East of the White House, and organized by
calling Mr. Phillips of Alabama, to the chair
Judge Lockane stated their object to be to call upon
the President before their departure act OF
tesy and express to him their unqualified confidence
in the Justice magnanimty Of the In the
matter of reconstruction.
On notion Messrs Bliss of Alabama; Mcfarland OF
Virginia; Whita OF Texas; Cannon, OF South Carolina
Bass of Arkansas Wilkins of Mississippi Lockrane Of
Georgia and Baker of Florida designated to ndi
vdualy present to the President such persons
present from their respective States
MR. M'FARLAND's SPEECH
The delegation was admitted soon after O'Clock,
and presen,ed the President follows by Mr. McFar
land, of Virginia.
Mr. PpEsrpssr-rhe gentlemen accompanying me, and
whom have the honor OF introducing TO you constitute
number of the respectable citizens of nine Of the
Southern States They come, sir, for the purpose Of
manfestng the respect and regard they enter
tain for you to express their determination
to CO operate with you whatever shall tend to promote
the interests welfare Of country and to
say that they earnest now and faithful to their
aleg tho United States and to the constitution Of
the Union the past and that they have great cont
dence in your wisdom to heal the wounds that have
been made and your disposition to exercise all the
leniency which DO commended by sound and judi
cious policy. That they are assured in doing this OF
your desire and intention to sustain and maintain
Southern rights in the union Of tho United States
PRESIDENT JoHNsoN's REPLY.
The President surprised at the imposing appear
OF the delegation and evidently much affected
In reply Every gesture and utterance full OF sub
dued eloquence The reply as folows:
GKrLEMEs-I only say in reply to the remarks Of
your chairman that highly gratiaea to receive the
assurances he has given They than could
have expected under the circumstances. must say
was unpre2ared to receive delegation on
this occasion unexpected had no idea II was -
be so largo represent so many States. When ex-
pressed did my willingness TO see at any time so
many OF you chose TO do the honor 70 call upon
me- that should be grathed at receiving any
Of regard you might think proper TO make
totally unprepared for anything equal to the pre-
sent demonstration am free to say II excites in my
mind feelings and emotions that language Is totally made
auatc to express When look back upon my past
actions and recall period scarcely more than
four short years ago. stood battling for principles
which many of you opposed and thought wrong,
was battling for the same principles that acuate me to-
day and which principles thank my God you have
como forward on this occasion to manifest disposition
to support say now, have said on many former
occasions that entertain no personal resentments en-
mites or animostes to any living soul south OF Mason
and Dixons line however much he may have differed
from me in principle The stand then took claim TO
have been the only true one. remember how stood
pleading with my Southern brethren when thoy stood
with their their hands ready to turn their backs
upon the United statos how implorod them stand
with me there and maintain rights and fight bat
ties undcr the laws and constitution Of the United States
think now, as thought them and endeavored induce
1hem to believe, that our true position was
under the law and under the constitution Of the
Union with the institution OF slavery in IT, but IL that
principle made issue that rendered dsntegration
possibc-if that made issue which should prevent
from transmitting to children country AZ be-
aueahcd 10 us by fathers-I had nothing else do
but stand by government be the consequences what
they might said then what you all know, that
for the institutions Of the country guaranteed by the
constitution but above all things for the Union Of
the statcs remember the suns the jeers the scowls
with whchf was treated. remember the circle that
stood around me- remember the threats and ntmda
tons that were freely uttered by the who opposed
mo- and whom wanted to bcfriend and guide by the
light that led me- but feeling conscious In my In
tegrity and that I right needed not what they
might say or do to me, and was inspired
and encouraged to do my duty regardless OF
aught else and have lived to see the realisation
Of my predictions and the fatal Of those whom
vanly essayed to save from the results could not but
foresee aentlemen we have passed through this rebel
lion say We for 1t was we who 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 error they frankly
acknowledge H. in manly open, direct manner; and
now In the performance Of that duty, or indeed 10 any
act they undertake perform they do heartily and
frankly; and now that they come 10 me understand
them "a saying hat:-"we made the ssus. We set up
the union Of the States against the institution Of slavery
we selected as arbitrator the God Of battles the arbi
trament was the sword The issue fairly and honor
ably met Both the questions presented have been SET
| tied against us, and we are prepared 70 accept
| the issus.n I ind on all sces this spirit Of
| candor and honor prevailing II 10 said by
all--The issue was ours, and the judgment
has been given against u.s. and the decision having been
made against u.s. We feel bound In honor 70 abide by the
arbitrament In doing this doing ourselves NO
dishonor and should not feel Inundated degraded, but
rather that we are ennoblng ourselves by our sction
and we should feel that the government has feaed Of
| maQnanimously and meet the government upon thu
s...., "A h.. 90 mi alv proernd ma 90 far