The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1865-08-26
President Johnson and the
south Carolina Delegation.
Telegram 70 the - Louis Democrat!
WASHINGTON, June "a, 1865

" 1ELA-frAOHf DNAAI IL ADCcs
The following Is the conclusion of the Presi-
dents address TO the South Carolina Delegation
The President did not want the Shareholders
to control the negro votes against white men.
Let each State Judge Of the depository Of its own
political powers. He was for emancipation. lie
was for the emancipation Of the white man as
well as the black.
Mr.. Holmes asked, : Is not that already ac-
cOmplished p
The President replied he did not think the
question fully settled. The question as to
whether the black man shall be engrafted in the
Constitution will be settled as we 20 along. He
would not dismiss 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 Mt its break
ing out, and fought it everywhere, and now
wanted the principles Of the Government carried
out and maintained.
Ar. Holmes interrupted him by saying, >, We
want 10 get back to the same position as you de-
sire US, and We have no law, no courts open, and
you have the power TO assist us"
The President replied that the Government
cannot do it unless it is based on right. The
people If South Carolina must have Il conven-
ton and amend their Constitution, abolishing
slavery, and 1t 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 slavery every
where.
One OF the delegates said, We are most
anxious for civil rule, for we have had more than
enough of military despotism."
The President, r%esuming, said that as the FIX
e%cutive, he could only take the intervening steps
to enable them to do the thing which was IN
cumhent upon them to perform.
Another of the delegates remarked that it was
assumed IN some parts Of the country that. in
consequence of the rebellion, the Southern States
had forfeited their rights as members Of the
C0niederacy, and that, If restored, IL could be
only ON certain conditions, one Of which was that
slavery should be abolished. This could be done
only through a convention.
The President repeated that if the rebellion
had rubbed slavery ont it would be better so to
declare by law, as one Of the delegates had Just
remarked that if the Constitution did not
abolish slavery, it were better 70 insert q clause
ab0lishing it.
Judge Frost said, substantially, 81 The object
OF our prayer Il the appointment Of Il Governor
for the State of South Carolina, and we will ac-
ccPt these conditions in order that law and order
may be restored, and that enterprise and indus
try may be directed to useful ends. We desire
restoration as soon rs possible. lie is the part Of
wisdom to make the best of circumstances. Ger
tain delusiOns have been dispclled by the reyolu-
ton, among them that slavery ia nm element Of
strength and moral power. 1t is very
certain that the old notion respecting slave
rights, IN the maintenance Of which those who
made the rebellion in South Carolina erred, has
ceased 70 exist. Another delusion, viz that
Il hl4l5Y HIS likIH Use EtIll>lti IN South !
We are to come back with these no
lions dlspelled, and with n new system Of labor.
people Of South Carolina viii cordially CO. /
operate with the Government in making that |
effective, and elevating the negro rs much
rs they can. 1t is, however, more a work of
time, than Il 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 viii be most surely and effect
Iyely subseryed. | repeat that the new system
Of labor Is to be inaugurated by sober, sound and
discreet judgment. The negroes are ignorant,
their minds are much inGamed with liberty, and
are apt to contound liberty with license.
Their great idea, we fear. is that freedom con-
OF exemption from work. We viii take in
good faith and carry out your intentions with
zeal, and hope for the best. and none Will re-
oice more than the people Of the South if eman-
proves successful. Freedom to the slave
$ freedom to the master, provided you supply
the motive for industry. The people of South
Carolina, from fidelity to honor, have submitted
to great sacrifices, and they endured all. We
ire defeated and conquered by the North, who
are too strong for Us. The sam honor which
governed them in the contest viii not be found
in their pledge of loval support 70 the
Government. There may grow out Of this bless
ngs, which you, sir, have not foreseen. and
'ome pleasing rays now illumine the horizon.
the oath of allegiance will be taken with
rs much unanimity in South Carolina as any
where else, and we will submit TO the condition
things which Providence has assigned, and en-
leavor to believe all discords harmony not under
tood, and partial evil good. We cheerfully &C.
'ept the measures recommended, and would
hank you 70 nominate, at your convenience. =
GOVERNOR who will carry out the wishes You
expressed.
The President asked the delegates 10 submit
Who they would prefer for Provisional Governor.
To this they replied they had list of men,
IL McClahaTty. Boyce, Col. Manning. late
Governor, and b. F.. Perry all of them were
poken of as good men. but who had been more
7 less involved in the rebellion. Mr.. Perry
5as 4 District Judge in the Confcderacy four
weeks before it collapsed, and is said 10 have
always q good Union man and a gentleman
+ strict integrity the people certainly would
aspect him, and he could not fail to be accepted.
The President said he knew Benjamin F. Perry
Tell, having served with him in Congress.
here was no spirit OF vengeance or vindictive-
ess on the part of the Government. whose only
esire was to restore the relations which formerly
lie was not now prepared 70 give an
uswer as to whom he should appoint, but ut the
abinct meeting next Tuesday he would repeat
ne substance Of this interview. with = hope for
le restoration which the gentlemen present de-
red.
The delegation seemed to be much pleased with
le proceedings, and fingered some time 70 iudi-