The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-06-06

unable to perceive the necessity, justice
or wisdom of the measure, but having
no place nor voice in the body before
which the measure is pending, I disclaim
any purpose to interfere beyond the
expression of my own opinion.
Having thus declared my views, as
they have heretofore been declared to
those who had right to know them,
on the material questions that have late
ly arisen, or are now pending, I trust
that your purpose on this occasion is
answered and 1 shall be glad if their
expression may have any beneficial
influence on questions the right DISPOSE
ton whereof is matter of solicitude to
every patriotic man, and is deeply inn
portant to the peace and tranquility of
the Union. Recognizing the constitu-
tional power of all the coordinate
branches of the Government-legisla
tive judicial, and executive enter
tanning for each the respect which is
due from every loyal citizen, they are
entitled to and shall receive, according
to my best Judgment, the support which
is required by that Constitution which,
after an unexampled conflict, has been
upheld and sanctifed by Divine favor,
and through the sacrifice of so much
blood and treasure.
Speech of Postmaster General Dennison.
FELLOW CITIZENS II am not the less
grateful to you for this call because of its be-.
ing made on me in my official capacity, and
as member of the Cabinet; and yet 1 am
admonished by this fact, as well as by the
lateness of the hour, not to discuss many
topics of public interest upon which, under
other circumstances, might be glad to ex-
press my views. may say, however, that
we have much reason to felicitate ourselves
on the general condition of the country, in
view of the perils through which we have
so recently passed, and to congratulate
ourselves upon the promising future that
awaits us.
It is true that the restoration of the South
ern States to all their constitutional relations
to the general government is not yet accom-
plished. So far as that duty or that con-
summation has devolved on the Executive
branch of the government, it has been fully
performed. Applause cannot now re-
u.
these things you are familiar, and the coun-
try knows what has been done and what is
doing
The close of the war brought with it the
necessity of re-establishing the Federal au-
thority in the insurgent States as rapidly as
possible and connected with it the duty of
encouraging the reorganization of local gov
ernments in each of these States. To this
subject, my fellow-citizens, the attention of
the President and cabinet was early directed,
with what success need not point out to
you. think venture not too far in saying
that history furnishes no parallel to such
success. The Federal authority has been
i, established, recognized, and obeyed in every
State south of Mason and Dixon's line
| [Applause The local governments in those
States have been reformed substantially to
meet their changed condition, resulting from
the abolition of slavery, and are now being
peaceably administered. Doubtless there
are provisions in the constitutions of some of
these States, as there are in the laws enacted
by some of their Legislatures that are not in
consonance with the views of the moral and
liberty loving citizens of the nation; but we
cannot reasonably doubt that these will give
place to better provisions and better laws,
under the influence of the federal government
and their own material necessities. But one
thing remains, my fellow-citizens, to complete
the work of restoration. and clothe the South
ern States with all their constitutional privi-
leges, and that is, their representation in
Congress. Applause. Upon this, with the
loyal millions Of the country, l regret, deeply
regret, that there is any difference between
the President and our friends in Congress-
But you will have observed that this differ
ence is not as to who shall represent the
Southern States. Their loyalty is to be tes
ted by the taking ofthe oaths prescribedby the
| Constitution and the laws-required alike
by the President and Congress, and for every
Senator and Representa- tive from every State,
North and South. The difference, then, is
not as to aoAo, but as to aohen these States
shall be represented. The whole theory of
the Executive programme for the restoration
of the Southern States looks to the early adj
mission of loyal Senators and Representatives
from those States, Applause, while the Con-
gressional programme, as far as it had been
developed, looks to delay, conditioned on
the adoption of certain amendments to the
Constitution.
Now, my friends we must not overlook the
fact that if this difference be not adjusted, it
may lead-and it will lead in all probability
to unfortunate results, not only to the
Southern States, but to all the country-and
may not add, to the Union party, in whose
interests learn your association has been
organized. l need not tell you, or those who
intimately know me, that it is in the con-
tinued ascendency of the Union party that 1
rely for the peace and happiness, ofthe coun-
try. [Applause.] I need not tell you it was
that party, in the field and at the ballot-box,
that saved the nation from the assaults of
armed rebellion. [Applause.] Twill only add,
it is to that party, founded on the principles of
the Baltimore platform, look to establish
indestructibly, on the basis ofjustice and con-
stitutional equality, the rights of all the
States of our common country. .[Applause. ]
Let me refer one moment to the difference
between the President and Congress Iwant
to deal frankly with you, when say that
do not believe these differences are irrecon-
cilable I do not believe there is any cause
of separation between the President and the
majority in Congress [Applause.] Nay if
am not greatly at fault, time and discussion
are bringing the President and Congress
rapidly together on the basis of common
platform of action. Applause. Certain it
is, they are not as wide apart as at the open
ing of Congress Then prominent Senators
and Representatives argued that the insur-
gent States, by the act of rebellion, had COM
mitted suicide, and should be treated as con-
luered provinces or territories; then it was
argued by some distinguished Congressman
that the public safety imperatively demand
ed that this condition should be imposed
upon them all. But these propositions are