The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-07-09
PATRIOTIC REPLIES TO THE TAM
MANY SOCIETY.


President johnson and the membe of his
cabinet were invited to attend the meeting of
the Tammany Society, in New York City, on
the 18th. They wrote letters acknowledging
the invitation, spoke in high terms of the
patriotism OF the society and expressed
hope that the southern congressman would
be admitted and the Union restored. We
make a few extracts. President johnson
said:
Now that war has ceased, return to the
constitution of our fathers, rigid adherence
to its principles, increased reverence tor its
sacred obligations, restored, lnviEoratsd
and permanent Union. and a fraternity of
feeiIng that shall make Us people one and
inssparable, ara our highest nead. There
can De for the patriot no higher duty, no
nopier work, than the obliteration OF the
prejudiees. which, resulting from cur sangu-
mary conflict, retarded Cancellation aud pre-
vent that restoration OF ali the states to
thelr constitutional relations with the federal
government which is essential TO the unity
strength and restoration of the nation.
Mr.. Seward, the secretary of state, said /:
| rejoice with the society that the conflict
of arms has ceased that the authority of
the government has been viu1icated and
shat she flag of the Union now floats tri-
umphantly over every foot Of national DOM
ain. On the other hand, L mourn with the
society, that the perfect Union given to US by
our patriotic forsiathers has not been entirely
restored, that II sovsreig n states are denied
representation in the federal congress and
are not recognized as coordinate parts In the
federal legislation. How strange all this
We have killed disunion outright, and killed
African slavery with it, and are not yet
completely reunited.
L desire, IN this respect, that the two
houses OF congress will apply the oonstitu-
tional test, with all the improvements of leg
islatien upon IL, and thus admit these states
and representatives who are loyal, and reject
only those against whom the crime of dis
loyalty shall be established. | believe, with
the Tammany society, that the Union was
created TO be perpetual, and that the stat 80
are equal under the constitution, that the
restoration of the Union by the recent war
ought to be acknowledged by all the depart
ments of the federal government, that spirit
of magnanimity and fraternity should pre-.
vail il all our councils, and that the south,
having accepted the lessons OF the war, and
relinquished the hsresiss OF seoes sion
should, just SO far as she comes in the atti
tude OF loyalty and the persons of 10y al quail
| lie I representa- be admitted TO repre-
sentation. L want north. 10 south, Mt
east, no west, no divisions of sections and
classes, but one united people.
Mr.. Welles, the secretary of the navy, said
To the honor of your society it has In nj
| times-under ali circumstances, in war and
| IN peace, been faithful to the Union aud the
rights OF the states. At no period since it,
organization have it's teachings and prInci
pies been in more need than now, when, tn,
victories of the republic having suppressed
| the false theories that the Union can be di
vided by secession or the voluntary with
drawal of state from its federal duties and
obligations, we are compelled TO encounter
| the opposite extreme of compulsory exclu
sion by which the centralists deny TO clever
states, representation in congress which il
! guaranteed to them by the constitution
| This doctrine of compulsory exclusion j,
| scarcely less Offensive than that of voluntary
secession each is fatal to the perpetuity o
the Union. After a long and exhaustive wa
| which has cost US so much blood and treas
ure, the country needs repose that indus
| try, commerce and the arts of peace may re
| vive, and friendly relations between the states
and people may be re-essablished. Friendly
feeling among the people is to be encouraged
and must superce0e hatred and revenge
No portion of the states can be deprived O
their Just rights without producing estrsnge
ment.