The Howard union. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1865-1866, 1865-06-29
President Johnson's Address to the South
Carolina Delegation.
WASHINGTON June "a.

Carolina Delegation.
WASHINGTON June "a.
A delegation from South Carolina, con-
sisting Of the following named persons, had
an interview with the President Judge
w. H, Gillett, ]. II. Staining, Uriah Rich
ards, VIM. P. Hail. ]. II. Taylor, R. H.
Gill and James II. Yates. The President
said it was his intention to talk plainly so
there might be no misunderstanding. There,
fore it were better they should look each
other in the face, and not initiate the an
cient statesmen who, when they met enc
another, could smile at their success in de-
ceiving people. He said if this Union was
to be preserved, it must be on the principle
of fraternity, both North and South, the
States maintaining certain relation to the
Government. A State cannot go out of the
Union, and therefore none of them have yet
gone out. We must deal with the question
Of restoration, and not reconstruction. He
suspected that he was better States rights
man than some of those who owned the
land and have the capital TO employ help
and therefore, some of our Northern friends
are deceived when they, living alar off,
tuiHh tICt Cun CACICIsO RlSulSi COlti VI
oyer the freedmen than the Southerners
who have been raised where the institution
Of slavery has prevailed.
Now he did not want late shareholders to
control the negro votes against white men.
Let each State Judge of the disposition of
its own political power; he was ion enamel
patton, for emancipatirg the white man as
well as the black.
Mr.. Holmes asked: Is not that already
accomplished !?
The President said he did not think the
question fully settled, The question as to
whether the black man shall be engraited
in the Constitution will be settled as we go
along. He would not disguise the fact that
while he had been prosecuted and de.
nounced at the South as traitor, lie 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 him by saying
he wanted to get back 10 the same position
as you desire, and we have no law or courts
open and you have the power TO assist us.
The President replied that the Govern
ment cannot do it unless it is founded on
right. The people of South Carolina must
have q convention and amend their CoH6-
tuition abolishing slavery, and it must be
done in good faith, and the Convention or
Legislature must save the proposed amend
ment to the Constitution of the United
States, which prohibits slavery every where.
The Delegates said: We are most anxious
-. r /, 1 IT,.
enough of military despotism. The Presi-
dsnt resuming said, that as the Executive,
he could only take the initial steps to enabs
them to do the thing which it was incum-
bent upon them to perform. Another OF
the delegates remarked that it was assumed
in some parts of the country that in conse.
quence of the rebellion, the Southern States
had forfeited their rights as members of the
Confederacys and that if restored it coulC
be only on certain conditions, one of which
was, slavery shall be abolished; this coulC
be done only through convention. The
President repeated, the fate of the rebel
lion has rubbed slavery out, but it would
be better SO to declare by law. As one o
the delegates had just remarked that tn,
Constitution did not abolish slavery, i
were better to insert a clause antagonistit
to slavery. Judge Frost said substantially
the object Uf our prayer is the appointment
OF Governor. The State of South Caro-
lima will accept these conditions, in orde
that the law and order may be restored, an,
that enterprise and industry may be direct
ed to useful ends. We desire restoration
as soon as possible. II is the part of wis
dom to make the best of circumstances; Ger
tain decisions have been dispelled by tn
revolution among them, that of slavery, a
element of political strength and moral pow
er. 1t is very certain that the old MOTTO
respecting slave rights, in the mantainOnc
of which, those who made the rebellion i
South Carolina erred, has ceased to exis
another delusion, viz, that cotton is king
has likewise vanished in Mississippi
We are to come back with these notion
dispelled, and with new system of abo
the people OF South Carolina will cordial
cooperate with the Government in maxim
that labor effective, and eevating the negr
as much as they can. II is, however, NOR
work of time than the labor of enthnsi
asm and fanaticsm; the people of the Sout
have the largest interest in the question
We are willing to cooperate for selfish,
for no higher motives. We have taken tn