The Van Buren press., 1866-03-10
President johnson Sustained.
The Union Must BE Restored.

The course of President johnson, i'll
reference to the great questions which
seem skirting our political horizon with
dark and angry clouds, is generally meet
ing with the appreciation and sanction of
the people Large ratification meetings
are being held all over the North, sus-
tanning the lofty and patriotic grounds
which he has taken On the 23d Of Feb
ruarv, large meeting was held at Gro
ver's Theatre, Washington City, on which
occasion the building was filled to its ut
most capacity. a long series Of resOlu-
tons were passed, expressing in the
strongest language, the most unboumded
confidence in the President as well as a
strong determination to sustain him in
the liberal views he entertains toward the
South, equally with his conciliatory poll
cy Of admitting the people Of the South
to representation in the Halls Of Con
gress. The meeting was addressed by
several distinguished gentlemen, all Of
whom sustain Mr. Johnsons veto. The
meeting adjourned to the White House,
when copy of the resolutions was pre-
sented to the President. We append be
low an extract OF the speech delivered
by Mr.. Johnson in answer to the com
pliment conferred upon him:
say that when these States comply
with the Constitution, when they have
given sufficient evidence Of their loyalty
and that they can be trusted, when they
yield obedience to the law, | say extend
to them the right hand Of fellowship, and
| let peace and union be restored. | have
/ fought traitors and treason in the South,
opposed the Dayiscs and Toombs and
the Slidells and long list Of Others
whose names | need not mention; and
when turn round at the other end ofthe
line, | find men, care not by what name
you call them, Ca voice, Call them trai-
tors, J who still stand opposed to the
restoration Of the Union Of these States.
| am free to say to you that | am still
for the preservation ofthe compact, | am
still for the restoration of this Union. !
am still in favor Of this great Govern
ment Of ours, living and following out
its destiny. ca voice. "Give us the
names A gentleman calls for their
names; well suppose | should give them
CA voice, 1--WE know thcm') | look
upon them, | repeat it. as President OF
citizen, rs much opposed to the fIlnda
mental principles Of this Government
and believe they are as much laboring to
prevent or destroy them, as were the men
who fought against us. (Avoicc, 'what
are the names ~ Isay Thad Stevens
Of Pennsylvania. (Tremcnious ap-
plousc.) Isay Charles Sumner (Grcat
applause.) | say Wendell Phillips and
Others of the same stripe are amongst
them. a voice, "Give it to Forncy.') J
Some gentleman in the crowd SAYS. Give
it to Forney. | have only to say that
do not waste my ammunition upon dead
ducks daughter and applansc.) |
stand for my country, | stand for the
Constltuiion-wherc placed my feet
from my entrance into public life. They
may traduce me; they may SANDER me
they may vituperate; bnt LET me say to
you that it has no effect upon me. Cheers
Let me say, in addition, that GO not in
tend to be bullied by my enemies. Gap
plause and a cry The people will sus
tain you" Know, my countrymcn, that
it has been insinuated--not only insinua
ted, but said directly; the intimation has