Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-06-30

must have a convention, and amend theil
Constitution by abolishing slavery, anC
this must be done in good faith, and the
convention or Legislature must adop
the proposed amendment to the Consttu
ton of the United States, which prohibitt
and excludes slavery everywhere.
One of the delegates said 1--WE are
most anxious for civil rule, for we have
bad more than enough of military des
potism."
The President, resuming, said that, a,
the executive, he could only take the
initiatory steps to enable them to do the
things, which it was incumbent upon
them to perform.
Another of the delegates remarked
that it was assumed in some parts of thi;
country that in consequence of the rebel
lion the Southern States had forfeited
their right as members of the Confeder-
acy, and that if restored it could only be
on certain conditions, one of which was
that slavery shall be abolished. Thi.
could be done only through convention
The President repeated that the fric-
ton of the rebellion had rubbed slavery
out, but it would be better so TO declare
by law, as one Of the delegates had just
remarked that as the Constitution OF
South Carolina did not establish slavery
it were better to insert a clause antagon,
istic to slavery,
Judge Frost said substantially the OBJ
ject of our prayer is the appointment Of
a Governor. The State of South Caro-.
lima will accept these conditions in order
that law and order may be restored and
that enterprise and industry may be di-
rected to useful ends. We desire resto'
ration as soon as possible. 1t is the part
of wisdom to make the best of circum.
stances. Certain decisions have been
dispelled by the revolution. Among
them that slavery is an element Of politi>
cal strength and moral power. 1t is very
certain that the old notion, respecting
State rights, in maintenance of which
those who made the rebellion in South
Carolina erred. With a new system Of
labor South Carolina will cordially CO.
operate with the government in making
that labor effective and elevating. We
have taken the liberty, encouraged by
your kindness, to throw out suggestions
by which the policy of the government
will be most surely and effectively sub,
served
The new system of labor is to be in
augurated by sober, sound and discreet
Judgment. The negroes are Ignorant
Their minds are much infamed with free
dom. They are apt to confound liberty
with license. Their great idea is, fear,
that freedom consists OF exemption from
work. We will take in good faith and
carry out your intentions with zeal, and
hope for the best. We are defeated and
conquered by the north, who are too strong
for US. The same good faith which an,
mated them in the contest will not be
found wanting in their pledge of loyal
support to the government. We cheerful
ly accept the measures recommended and
would thank you to nominate at your
a Governor to carry out the
wishes you have expressed.
President johnson asked the delegates
to submit whom they would prefer as
Provisional Governor. They replied
they had list of five men, viz: Aiken,
McClabany, Boyce, Col. Manning Oate
Governor and B. f. Perry. All these
were spoken of as good men, but had
been more or less involved in the rebel,
lion.
The President said he knew Benz
Perry well, having served with him in
Congress. There was no spirit of ven
geance or vindictiveness on the part Of
the Government, whose only desire was to
restore the relations which formerly eX-
listed. He was not now prepared to give
them an answer as to whom be should
appoint, but at the Cabinet meeting next
Tuesday he would repeat the substance
of this interview, with hope to the resto-
ration which the gentlemen present earn,
estly desired.
The delegates seemed to be much
pleased with the proceedings, and linger'
ed for some time to individually converse
with the President.