Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-29

yigor. but il lacked the wisdom to avail itsel
Of the benefits of victory" Applause, anC
three cheers for Secretary McCulloch.
The Secretary of War was next called
upon-the band playing Orally round the
flag" "When Johnny comes marching
home, and other airs. Secretary Stanton
said:
SECRETARY STATIONS SPEECH.
GENTLEMEN: On the afternoon Of Thurs-
day, the 18th Of this month, | received a
note from the secretary Of the National
Union johnson Club, telling me it was the
design Of the association to serenade the Pres
isdent and his Cabinet and that | would DE
called upon at my residence. Immediately
on the receipt Of this note reply was sent to
the secretary, expressing my thanks for the
compliment, and declining the honor of the
sersnade; a similar compliment by the pa
trioiio association ofthe Soldiers and Sailors
League had previously been declined.
Two reasons induced my action. The last
time public speech was made from this
spot in answer to a serenade was the night
Of Friday, the 18th day Of April, 1865. At
that moment when we were rejoicing over
the downfall Of the rebellion, one Of its in
struments was numbering Mr.. Lincoln. You
will not think it strange that a compliment
tary occasion fraught with such associations
should not be coveted. Besides, as the head
Of Department, my public duties have been
simply executive; and it has always been
nv aim TO avoid trenching upon duties de-
Yolved upon others, and TO avoid mischief
by premature discussion Of matters entrusted
10 the legislative branch Of the Government
and under its consideration. But the call Of
this evening relieves me from any imputa-
ton ofintruding my opinions upon you. |
shall therefore declare them briefly and
plainly; and to the end that they may be
neither accidentally misunderstood, nor will
fully misrepresented, what it is my purpose
TO say On this occasion has been written.
After four years of war the authority of
the Federal Government was established
throughout the whole territory Of the
United States at sacrifice of oyer three
hundred thousand lives of loyal soldiers and
a cost of more than three thousand millions
of dollars. Nearly every household in
eighteen loyal States is mourning Its loved
ones slain by rebels; a tax which may last
for general ons Is laid upon the food and
raiment and necessities of every family, and
in the price of their daily bread the twenty
million inhabitants Of the loyal States feel,
and will long continue TO feel, what il cost
10 uphold their Government against rebel
lion.
The Office of President devolved on Mr..
johnson at the death of Mr. Lincoln, on the
10Th day Of April, 1865. Thirteen days be-
fore that time, Richmond, the seat of the
rebel Government, had been captured, and
six zlays later the rebel commander-in-chief,
RO5ert +. Lee, routed and vanquished, sur
rendered his army as prisoners Of war TO
General Grant and the forces under his COM
mand. BY these rapidly succeeding events
the rebel Government was OverthrOwn, its
strength and hope exhausted, and in every
State its armed forces and official authori-
ties gave themselves up as prisoners of war.
The Presidents annual message TO the pres
ent Congress thus clearly states the condi-
ton Of the country, and the question there
by imposed upon him:
81 found the States suffering from the eff
fects Of a civil war. Resistance to the Gen
eral Government appears to have exhausted
itself The United States had recovered
possession Of their forts and arsenals, and
their armies were in the occupation of every
Whether the territory within the limits of
those States should be held as conquered
territory, under military authority emana-
ting from the President as the head of the
army, was the first question that presented
itself for decision"
Aler stating the objections 10 the cOntin-
lance Of mere military rule, the alternative
course chosen by him and supported by his
Cabinet, is thus clearly set forth:
Provisional Governors have been APP
pointed for the States, conventions called,
Governors elected, Legislatures assembled,
add Representatives, chosen TO the Congress
of the United States At the same time,
the courts of the United States, as far as
could be done, have be reopened, so that the
laws of the United States may be enforced
through their agency. The blockade has
been removed and the customhouses re-
in ports of entry, so that the
revenue Of the United States may be collect
ed. The Postoffice Department renews its
ceaseless activity, and the General Govern
ment is thereby enabled to communicate
with its officers and agents. The
courts bring security TO persons and proper
ty; the opening of the ports invite the re-
storation Of industry and commerce; the
renews the facilities of social in
Iercourse and Of business,
No one better than Mr.. johnson under |
stood the solemn duty imposed upon the |
National Executive to maintain the national |
vindicatcd at 50 great a sacrifice, |
md the obligation not 10 suffer the Just fruits |
If so fierce a struggle, and so many battles |
md victories, TO slip away or turn TO ashes. |
In many speeches TO delegations from loyal |
states, in dispatches TO Provisional Govern |
,rs acting under its authority, and in de- |
,larations made TO the pnblic for their in |
there was no disguise of his pur- |
pose 10 secure the peace and tranquility of |
he country on Just and sure foundations.
These measures received the cordial sup |
port of every member of the cabinet, and |
we're approved by the sentiments declared |
Nv conventions in nearly all of the States. |
)ue point of difference presented itself,
the basis of representation. BY |
,ome il is thought Just and expedient that |
he right Of suffrage in the rebel States
hould i,o secured in some form to the color
ID inhabitants Of those States either as a
Universal rule or 10 those qualified by edu- |
,ation or by actual service as soldiers who |
,entured life for their Government NV |
lNn lnlnu lilNlliCu 10 llllH view, hul dllcT L
aim and full discussion my judgment |
,ielded TO the adverse arguments resting
lpon the practical difficulties TO be encoun-
cred in such a measure, and te the Presi-
ients conviction that to prescribe rule of |
outrage was not within the legitimate scope
If his power.
The plan of organization embodied in the |
PROCLAMATION 10 the people of North Caro-
ina, and the instructions 10 the Provisional |
Governor Of that State, exhibit the system
md principles prescribed by the President |
or the substitution Of civil authority in the
llace Of universal military rule in the In
States In thisplan two things
presented by the proclamation and the Presi-
Tents instructions are worthy Of special
notice:
First That the exercise Of the organizing |
power is specifically and absolutely restricted
@ the people "who are loyal TO the United
states. and no others This is in accord
nee with the views often declared by Mr..
Johnson from the commencement Of the re-
,ellion, and under the most impressive cir
umstanceS.
Secondly. The choice Of delegates was not
,nlv limited to loyal people and no others,
,ut constitutional guarantees were required
n respect To the emancipation of slaves and
be rcpudiaiion of the rebel debt. 4 sound
eason for such guarantees in respect TO
lavery is stated by the President in his
tho necessity Of the
violence of sincerity in the future maiRten-
nee Of the Union"
These views avnca,sal Ia, tho President |