Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1865-09-19

to consolidation or concentration of power here,
under whatever guise name; and if the issue
is forced upon u.s. l all still endeavor to
pursue the same efforts to dssuade from this doc
triue of running to extremes but [ say let the
same rules be applied. Let the Constitution be
our guide. Let the preservation of that and the
Union Of the States be our principal aim. Let it
be our hope that the government may be perpet-
ual, and that the principles of the government
founded as they are on right and jus tice may be
banded down without spot or blemish to our pos
terity. AS have before remarked to you, am
grati6ed to see so many of you here to-day. 1t
manifests spirit l am pleased to observe
know it has been said of me that my asperities
are sharp, that had vindictiye feelings to graft
| fy, and that should not fail to avail myself of
the opportunities that would present themselves
| to crafty such despicable feelings. Gentlemen,
| if my acts Will not speak for me and for them
selves then any professions l might now make
would be equally useless. But. gentlemen, if
| know myself, as think do. know that am of
the Southern people, and love them and will do
| all in my power to restore them to that state of
happiness and prosperity which they enjoyed be-
| fore the madness of misgui ded men in whom they
had reposed tn cir confidence led them astray to
their own undong. If there is anything that can
be done on my part, on correct principles, on t he
principles of the Constitution, to promote these
| ends, be assured it shall be done Let me assure
you. also that there is dispos iton on the part
of the government. to ealharshly with the South
ern people. There may be speeches published
| from various quarters that may breathe differ
ent spirit. Do not let them trouble excite
you, but believe that 1t is, it is the g eat OBJ
feet of the government to make the union of these
United States more complete AMI perfect than
ever, and to maintain it on Constitutional princi
ples if possible, more firmly than it has ever
before been Then why cannot we all come up
| 4 tbo in n anirit In, 9TH
| let us look to the Constitution. The issue has
/ been made and decided then, as wise men-as
men whe see right and are determined TO follow
| it as fathers and brothers, and men who love
their country in this hour of trial and suffering
why cannot we come up and help to settle tie
questions of the hour and adjnst them according
| to the principles of honor and justice The in
stituion of slavery is gone. The former status
of the negro had to be changed and we, as wise
men. must recognize patent a fact and adapt
ourselves to circumstances as they surround
l(Voices-We are willing to co Yes, sir, we
are willing to do SOY | believe you are. I be-
leve when your faith is pledged. when your con-
sent has been given as have already said, be-
lieve it will be maintained in good faith and every
peldge or promise fully carried out (Cries-It
will All ask or sire of the South or the
! North the East or the West, is to be sustained
in carrying out the principles of the Constitution
1t is not to be denied that have been great
sufferers on both sides. Good men have fallen on
both sides, and much misery is being endured as
the necessary result of so gigan ic q contest
| Why. then, cannot we come tog Their. and, around
the common altar Of our country, heal the wounds
that have been male? Deep wounds have been
inflicted. Our country has been Scared all over.
| Then why cannot we approach each other upon
principles which are right in themselves and
which will be productive of good to all The day
| is not distant when we shall feel like some
| L. kl,<l hal
the various members of which have come togeth-
er and compared the evils and sufferings they had
inflicted upon each other. They had seen the in
fuence of tn cir andts result, and, governed
| by generous spirit of Cancellation. they had be-
| come nut ually forbearing aud forgiving. and re
turned to their old habits of fraternal kindness,
and became better friends than ever. Then let
as consider that the feud which alienated has
been settled and adjusted to our mutual satsfac
ton, and that come together to b, bount by
frmer bonds of love, respect and confidence than
ever. The North aaupt got alag without the
South, nor the South from the North, nor the East
| from he West. nor the West from the East; and
say it is our duty to 90 all that in our power
lies to perpetuate and make stronger the bonds
of our Union, seeing that it is for the common
good of all tn t we should be unit ed. feel that
this Union though but the creation of a century,
is to be perpe;uated for all time. and that it
| not be destroyed except by the all wise God who
created it. Gentlemen, repeat, L sincerely
thank you for the respect manifested on this oc-
casion and for the expressions of appreciation
and confidence, please accept my sincere thanks.
MR.. MAoFAELANDs REJoISDER.
Mr.. Pr EsIDENT-On behalf of the delegation [
| return you my sincere thanks or your kind. gem
| erous--aye neutrality-suspicious. of kindly
feelings towards the people of the South
The remarks of PresidcntI Johnson were fire.
quently interrup ted by applause; and all seemed
highly grathed by the interview.