The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-01
recent paper this significant paragraph

DAYTON, ONO, February 20.
The Democracy of Dayton had jolli-
fication over President Johnson's veto
of the Freedmen's Bureau bill this
afternoon, firing one hundred guns
Mr.. Vallandigham made brief speech
saying the Democracy did not elect Mr..
Johnson, but it is now their duty to
stand by him. He announces mass
meeting in future for exultation. A flag
floats from Mr.. Vallandigham's win
dow.
Mr.. Poland. May ask which flag il
was?
Mr.. Sherman. don't know. The des-
patch does not state.
Mr.. Nye. If he flew his own flag, it
was rebel flag.
Mr.. Sherman. Now am aware of no
calamity more disgraceful than for US
by our divisions to surrender to men who
were enemies to their country in time
of war any or all of the powers of this
Government. He who contributes In
any way to this result deserves the exc
crations Of his countrymen. This may
be done by thrusting upon the President
new issues, In which the well-knOwn
principles Of his life do not agree with
the judgment of his political associates.
IL UCOuOhC ny CObtIONCt-
sizes of a personal character. 1t may be
done by the President turning his back
upon those who trusted him with high
powers, and thus linking his name with
one of the most disgraceful in American
history-that of John Tyler. / feel
an abiding confidence that Andrew
Johnson will not and cannot do this.
And, sir, who will deny that the over
bearing and intolerant will of Henry
Clay contributed very much to the de-
lection of John Tyler? But the division
of the Wing party was an event utterly
Insignificant in comparison with the
evil results of division in the Union
party. Where will be the four millions
Of slaves who, by your policy, you have
emancipated? What would be their in
evitable fate if now surrendered to the
custody of the rebels of the South? Will
you by your demand for universal suf-
frage destroy the power of the Union
party to protect them in their dearly
purchased liberty? Will you by new
issues, upon which you know you have
not the views of the people, jeopardize
these rights which you can, by the aid
of the Union party, secure to these
freedmen. We know that the President
cannot, will not, and never agreed to
sal suffrage and dead states. No such
dogmas were contemplated when, for
his heroic services in the cause of the
Union, we placed him side by side with
Mr.. Lincoln as our standard bearer
Why divide upon them? Why not COM
plete the work SO gloriously done by our
soldiers by securing Union and liberty
to all men, without distinction of color,
leaving to the states as before the ques-
ton of suffrage? Sir, the curse Of God,
the maledictiOns of millions of our peo-
pie, and the tears and blood of men
made freemen, will, in my Judgment,
rest upon those who now for any cause
destroy the unity of the great party that
has led us through the wilderness
Of war. We want now peace and repose. 5
We must now look TO our public
credit. We have duties to perform
to the business interests of this
country in which we need the
assistance of the President. We have
every motive for harmony with him
ana with each other, and for generous
and manly trust in his patriotism. If
ever the time shall come when can no
longer confide in his devotion to the
principles upon which he was elected. 1
will bid farewell to Andrew Johnson
with unaffected sorrow. i we'll remem-
Der when he stood in this very spot five
years ago, repelling with unexampled
courage the assaults Of traitors. He left
In their hands wife, children, property,
and home, and staked them all on the
result. 1 well remember that when n
retreating General would have left
Nashville 10 its fate, again, with heroic
courage, he maintained his post. IwelI
remember the fierce conflict and trials
through which he and his fellow-com-
patriots in East Tennessee maintained
our cause in the heart of the Confedera-
cy. / well remember the struggle he
had with the aristocratic element of
Tennessee-never ashamed of his origin
and never far from the hearts of the
people. Sir, you must not sever the
great Union party from the loyal ele-
ments of the Southern States. No theo-
ries of possible UtOpian good can COM
pensate for the loss of such patriotism
and devotion. Time; as he tells you IN
his message, is a great element of re-
form, and time Is on your side, | re-
member the homely and encouraging
words of a pioneer in the anti-slavery
cause, an expelled Methodist preacher
from the South, who told those who
were behind him in opinion, /" Well.
friends, I'll block awhile we must ali
travel together" So 1 say to ali who
doubt Andrew johnson, and who wish
to move more rapidly than he can, to
block up awhile, to consolidate this great
victory, with the certainty that reason
and the Almighty will continue their
work. All wisdom will not die with
US. The highest human wisdom is to
do all the good you can, but not to sacri-
flee possible good 10 attempt the i'm
practicable. God knows that l do NOT
urge harmony and consolidation from
personal motives. The people of nv
native State have entrusted me with :,
position here extending four wears he
yond the termination of the Presidential
office of the present incumbent He
can grant me no favor. If believed for
a moment that he would seek an alliance
with those who, by either arms or colIn-
Gil, or even apathy, were against their
country In the recent war; aud will turn
over to them the high powers entrusted
to him by the Union party, then. sir. he
Is dishonored, and will receive no as
sistance from me. But I will not force
him into this attitude. Ifhe shall prove
false to the declarations made by him in
his veto message that his strongest de.
sire was to secure to the freedmen tho
full enjoyment of their freedom and
property, then l will not quarrel with
him as to the means used. And while.
as he tells US in this same message. he
only asks for States to be represented
which are present in an attitude of Iov-