The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-03-08

DstiliiIipiS' llclu Oil lilc ZZu ult., Coil-
mttee was appointed to present to the
President ofthe United States, the reso-
lutions adopted on that occasion. rms
Committee accompanied by Lieutenant
Governor Cox, OF Maryland, performed
the duty assigned them on the "a inst.'
and the following is the Presidents re-
ply:
:. can make no speech in reply to the
remarks vol, have addressed to HE,
further than to say that my policy is be-
fore the country. That policy is not the
result of impulse, or one adopted 0dcap-
ta1d,tDa: but it is the result OF reflection
and conviction, and l believe it to be
the best policy. That policy is the re-
suit of my sincere convictions it is be-
fore the country, and as such it will
continue to be, without being swerved
fire III, Oh my part, i'll any PARTICULAR
! say this simply to give assurance to
the country that there will be no ADAM
donment OF Or shrinking from that poll
cy. Ii is believed that the good and
SAFETY fthe Government rest upon it,
| thank you and l assure you | am not
insensible to the compliment you have
paid me by this visit, and that heart
must be barren and dull indeed that
would not be impressed by such assu-
RANGES of the peoples support. l feel
and appreciate what you have done;
and in this connection | may be per-
mitted to say, that l will continue to
perform what believe to be my duty,
without regard to consequences. Your
words of commentator and encourage
ment inspire me. with new confidence.
| believe that the country will be re-
rtnral TO if, nnr,s,o1 cnndifin,, of,
perity and harmony. entered into the
contest with the same views l entertain
now, and have not deviated hairs
breadth. l stand now where | did in
the Senate Chamber on the 18th and 18th
of December, 1860, and have in noWise
changed. 1t has been said, land it may
be there has been a design in saying it,
"IIere is a man who has been elected by
a party, and has abandoned that party;
he has been Tylerized, they call it,
and he has joined the copperheads. p
These things have no effect whatever
upon me; | care nothing for them.-
NV only work is the restoration OF the
uatry; the thorough harmony and
reconciliation Of the Nation. l have
fought open and armed rebellion, and
now that it is ended, our business is to
reconcile. conciliate, and bring back the
OlNASO OilSS, tlilNt lONttLA Atistg SliN1
we are doing a great deal. 1t sometimes
happens in the best regulated families
that some differences will arise, and for
while there may be dissensions; but
when all is over and the difficulties are
healed, they harmonic and come to-
gcther again in peace and friendships:
and SO will it be if we can reconcile and
bring back these States to the Govern
ment of their fathers. II | know my
self | desire above All things the preser-
walton OF this Government, and want
it to continue III loyal hands. am free
to say that Il part OF the same spirit that
animated the rebellion at one end of the
line now exists at the other. We find
taat while one party WAS for breaking
up the Union i'll the interest of slavery,
tAe other party said they We're willing
to break it up to abolish slavery. The
extremists agreed upon the enc thing,
and, So far as the desire for the disseu-
ton Of the Union WAS concerned, one
was as cuipable as the other. The blow
against the Government was struck at
the Southern end OF the line, and the
same spirit anmateS u certain class
now; and now that the rebellion is put
down. that spirit wants to change the
character OF the Government and COM
centrate and consolidate It's powers here.
This policy is, rs Was the other, destruc-
tive eff the Government, and l ann
equally opposed to both. I stand up for
the Government, the Constitution, and
obedience to the laws. 1t is my hope,
and desire nothing more than to effect
the reconciliation OF this county and
people. If could accomplish this great
work, if could reuuite this people, l
could say with II fall hear5, | have
reached the summit of all ambition. |
have no other ambition than to restore
the Union and reconcile the people
Then my work will be done. again
thank you. gentlemen, for this mark OF
your coincidence and support.
After few moments conversation
with the President, the committee with
drew.
A BILL has passed the Virginia Sen
ate unanimously-and will pass the
House-to provide for the assertion of
the rights of the commonwealth in its
jurisdiction over the counties of Jetler-
son and Berkeley. The bill provides
thof in, l, nf + do.