Shreveport semi-weekly news. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1865-18??, 1865-09-03
speech BY President Johnson Il
Southern OeIeGatSS.

Washington, Sept. 13--1'he fol-
lowing are the main points Of n very
important speech made yesterday by
President johnson to a delegation
from til. southern states:
"Gentlem.n, we have passed
through the rebellion. say We. for
it was We who We're responsible for
it. I he south made the issue, and /
know the nature of the southern peo-
pie well enough to know that when
they have been convinced of an error.
they frankly acknowledge il in a d.
rec, manner, and know that in the
performance of duty. OF indeed any
act they undertake. to perform, they
do it free hearted and frankly. And
now that ihev lave come 20 me, l
understand them rs saying that We
mad" the issue, We set up the union
of tn. states against the institution
of slavery; Ne selected as the arhi-
ter the God Of battles The argu-
men, was the sword. The issue was
fairly and honorabIy mt; both tn.
questions presented have been settled
against us. and We ar. prepared to
accept tn. issue.
Il find on all sides this spirit Of
candur aud honor prevailing. The
issue was ours, and the Judgment has
been against us; and the decision
having been mad. agains, US, we feel
bound in honor to abide by the arbi-
tra,nen,. In doing this We are bring
ing ourselves no dishonor. and should
not feel huTiliated or degraded. but
rather tina. We are cnnoblins our
selves by our actions, and We should
i.,l that the government has treated
us maSnanimously. and meet the
government upon the terms it has so
maSnsnimously proff-r.d to us. So
far a. ] am concerned. personally, !
am uniuiiu"nced by any question
whether IL affects tn. north, south,
east. or west. ] stand wh-r. l did
# old, battling for The constitution
and IN. union of the nit.d States"
lin doing 80 know opposed
some Of You OF the south. When tn.
doctrine OF -cc' -sion was being urged
upon the country. aud you declared
your right to break up the govern
m.nt and di-in;-Gra;, the Union. !
stood as have stood. f,miy in the
opinion tina, il monopoly combined
against this country, it must 60 down
and I'll. country mus, go up,
Yes, thu issue was made by the
south a.aj,ls. III" government, and
tn. government hA- triumph-d, and
the south. true to her a.cirnt IN
stirc,s OF ,'raukn.,o and manly hon
or. CONES forth and expresses It's viii
lir-nrs> 10 abide 'hc result Il the
decision in good faith.
awhile l rrioic- that til" 7, brflion
ha- been clu-h.I and >,bIucd. am
happy in the consciousness OF a duty
wei! performed.
Il would have, 10; only YOU, but
TIA" whoi. world, To know that while
! dreaded and feared li<inicyra,ion
of the states. am equally opposed
to consolidation and concentration Of
power here under wh"trv'r guis,' or
name il ma, bear; and If til" ISSUE
l. forced on us. | shall "ndrav"r to
pur~u, the same efforts I" di--U,,!"
from this doctrine. But say let
IN, SANE rule h- applied. A. be-
fore remarked t. You, | am gratiii"d
to $50 and meet many Of YOU here
to-day Ii manit,si- Il spirit ! ain
pleased to observe. know il ha-
been said of Ia, tina, my nsp"riti'~
were sharp; tina, ] have vindictiv"
feelings 10 gintIiy. Such Grspicabls
feelings!
"lt NY acts viii not speak for me
aud Tor Themselves. then any proi,'>-
~iom ml@ht no" max" would Be
u-rl -
"''ru'l,m,n. II ! ,n"" myself, a.
| think | ua, know that am Of
thu southern p.ppir. aud low" them,
and vii. d" all in my power to re-
store them 10 ,ha, >tt,,. ni prosperity
and Happiness winch they -niov"d
h.tn.c 4, mad nc-- II misguided iticti,
- II.