Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-02-20
BETWEEN MR.. JOHNSON
AND THE VIRGINIA DELEGATION.

The State Of Virginia Impressively Repre-
sented at the White House Interesting
Interview with the President by Dele
cation from the Legislature Patriotic
Address of Hon. 1ohn B. Baldwin, Speak
er of the House of Delegates Eloquent
and Touching Reply Of the President.
On Saturday, the 10th inst, about II clock,
the delegation from the Legislature of Virginia,
consisting of Messrs John B. Baldwin, Speaker
of the House of Delegates, Judge William T.
Joynes T. K. Grattan, A G. Pendleton, and
James Marshall, of the House of Delegates,
and Messrs A. S. Gray, E. Z. Keen, and Dale
Carter of the Senate, had an interview with
President johnson, and rendered him a copy of
the resolutions passed by the Virginia Legisla-
tlre, endorsing the President $ policy and al
SO assured him of their cordial support of his
administration, and the great confidence felt in
him by the people of Virginia
Mr. Baldwin addressed the President as fol-
lows:
Mr.. PRESIDENT are a committee of the
Senate and House Of Delegates of the State of
Virginia. sent to present to you, in person, GER
tain resolutions which received the unanimous
approval of the Senate and House Of Delegates
With your permission | will read them.
Mr.. Baldwin then read them as follows:
Resolved by the General Assembly of Virgin
la That the people Of this Commonwealth, and
their Representatives here assembled, cordially
approve the policy pursued by Andrew John
son, President Of the United States in the re-
organization Of the Union. We accept the re-
suit Of the late contest, and do not desire to re-
new what has been so conclusively determined,
nor do We mean to permit any one subject to
our control to attempt its renewal or to violate
any Of our obligations to the United States Go
yernmeft. We mean to cooperate in the wise,
just and firm policy adopted by the President
with all the energy and power we can devote to
that object.
I'd. That the above declarations express the
sentiments and purposes of all our people, and
we denounce the efforts of those who represent
our views and intentions to be different, as cruel
and criminal assaults upon our character and
interests 1t is one of the misfortunes of our
present political condition that we have among
us persons whose interests are temporarily pro-
noted by such false representations; but we re-
" on the intelligence and integrity of those who
WELD the powers of the United States Govern
ment for our safeguard against such mahgn in
huences.
Sd. That involuntary servitude, except for
crime, is abolished, and ought not to be re-es-
tablished; and that the negro race among us
should be treated with justice, humanity and
good faith, and every means that the wisdom
of the Legislature can devise should be used to
make them useful and intelligence members of
society.
4th That Virginia will not voluntarily con-
sent to change the adjustment political power
as fixed by the Constitution OF the United
States; and to constran her to do so in her pre-
sent prostrated and helpless condition, with no
voice in the councils Of the nation, would be an
uniustifable breach of faith and that her earn
ast thanks are due to the President for the firm
stand he has taken against amendments of the
Constitution, forced through in the present con-
dtion OF affairs.
After reading them, Mr.. Baldwin proceeded
to deliver the following written address in be-
half Of the delegation:
ADDRESS OF MR.. BALDWIN.
Mr.. President We are a committee of Sen
ators and Delegates sent to present to you in
person, certain resolutions which have received
the unanimous approval OF the General As
sembly of Virginia.
We come as representatives, sent by one of
the States of this Union to confer with our con-
stitutional President In regard to matters affect
ing the common government, and therefore of
interest to all the States and all the people
We come to you, Mr.. President, for the rea-
son that you recognize our common interest In
the Government under which we live, and be-
cause thus far we have been denied the consti-
tutional means of communication by which 9TH
er States and other people make known their
opinions, purposes and feelings in the councils
OF the nation.
In declaring that the people of Virginia and
their representatives accept and abide by the
results of the late contest, and that they intend
in good faith to meet all the obligations thereby
incurred, the General Assembly expresses SEN
tnent and a purpose which have been uni