Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-07-09
Jobnson and Seward to Tammany

NEW DIRK, July o.-lne IOiloWihB are
the material portions of some of the ac-
acknowledgements of the Tammany Socie-
tvs invitation to celebrate yesterday;
President Johnson says: Sir, | thank
you for the cordial invitation of the time :
honored Society of Tammany to partici-
pate in the celebration of the approach :
ing anniversary of our National indie
pendence. The national tone and
patriotic spirit of the invitation meets
my hearty approval. They are indications
of growing public sentiment which,
now that the bitter strife of civil war has
ceased, requires renewal OF the pursuits.
of peace, a return to the Constitution OF
our fathers, rigid adherence to its prin-
ciples, increased reverence for its sacred
obligations, restored, invigorated and
permanent unity, and fraternity OF
feeling that shall make us people one
and indissoluble. There can be for the
patriot no higher, no nobler work than
the obliteration of the passions and
prejudices which, resulting from the late
sanguinary conflict have retarded recon-
ciliation, and prevented that complete
restoration OF all the States to their con
stitutional relations with the Federal
Government which is essential to the
peace, unity, strength and prosperity OF
the nation. Regretting that my public
duties will not permit me to be present
at your celebration, l am very respect
fully, yours, ANDREW JOHNSON
Gen. Grant simply directs his Sec
retary to express his regrets that a pre-
vious engagement will oblige him to de-
cline the honor
Secretary Seward writes | rejoice
with the society that the conflict OF arms
has ceased that the authority of the
Government has been vindicated, and
that the flag of the Union now floats tri-
umphantly over every foot of national
domain. On the other hand, L mourn
with the Society that the perfect union
given TO us by our patriotic forefathers
has not yet been entirely restored; that
eleven sovereign States are denied repre-.
sentation in the Federal Congress-, and
are not recognized as cardinal parts In
the national legislation. How strange
all this. We have killed division out
right, and have killed African slavery
with it, and yet we are not completed or
united. If did not feel assured that the
American people cannot suffer so great
and fatal solecism to continue, should
say as many others do, that I'VE are at a
crisis" But | have unbounded conh-
dence in the wisdom and virtue OF the
American people 1t is said in excuse
of the denial Of representation that the
States and their chosen representatives
still continue to be seditious and disloyal.
| ask is Tennessee disloyal Is Arkan-
sas seditious2 Are the Senator's and
Representatives of those States disloyal1 Z
] desire in this respect that each OF the
two houses of Congress will apply the
Constitutional test with all the improve
ment of legislation upon it and thus ad-
nit those States and Representatives
who are loyal and reject only those
against whom the crime of disloyaiity
shall be established | believe with the
Tammany Society that the Union was
created to be perpetual and that the
States are equal under the Constitution
that the restoration of the Union by
the recent war ought to be
acknowledged and recognized by all the
departments of the Federal Government,
that spirit Of magnanimity and fra
ternity should prevail IN our councils,
and that the South having accepted the
lessons of war and relinquisbed the here
sizes of secession, should, just as soon as
she comes in attitude of loyalty and In
the persons of loyal and qualified Rep
resentatives be admitted to her constltu-
tional representation. 1 want, hence
forth, no North, no South, no East, no
West, no divisions and no sections and
no classes, but one united and harmo-
nious people.