The Placer herald., 1866-03-24
The Presidents Interview with the Mon
tana Delegation.

city, called upon the President. b. NJ. Plnney
United States Marshal for The Territory; Chief
Justice Hosmcr. General Barrows and twenty five
or thirty others were among the number. Mr.
Pinney addressed the President on behalf Of the
delegation. He said:-
Nh. President = 1t becomes my duty, rs a men,
ber of this delegation. to assure you that the
principles announced in your annual message to
Congress. and your policy in relation TO the pres
ent political condition Of this country. has glad
dened the hearts Of the people of or own noun
tain land Montana. We are using no idle or
unmeanng words when we assure you that we
take the greatest possible pleasure in saying that
we recognize in you, as the Chief Magistrate OF
this great nation, person who possesses that
sound mind, that general know Wedge. that firm
and patriotic devotion to the real interests and
welfare OF the whole country which are so neces-
sary to carry it safely over the ocean of political
speculation and debate We attach no great i'm
portance TO this observation Of feelings in re-
lation to yourself; but We should be doing injus-
tice to ourselves. and injustice to the people OF
the Territory Of Montana and should merit their
severest censure, If we did not say that we firmly
believe that If you meet with cordial and gen.
erous support on every hand this nation will come
forth from this present political crisis stronger
and better nation. prepared to take higher
stand and do nobler work on the platform OF
history than has ever yet been allotted to any
nation Of the earth. Montana has scarcely bad Il
two years political existence. and already num-
bers fifty thousand inhabitants. Places of habi-
tation and of business are dotted all over her fer
tile valleys, and her numerous thoroughflres are
constantly trembling with the crush OF merchan-
disc. The gold and silver which the Almighty
had long kept hidden and garnercd up in her hills
and ravines have been revealed or discovered ut
time when the nation needs new channels OF How
ing wealth to supply her treasury. And Montana
possesses, as we'll great mineral wealth, all
those agricultural resources we'll calculated to
make her early. populous and powerful. At the
same time we trust we are not unmindful OF the
vast Importance of promulgating correct pollti'
cal sentiments. We believe that we are starting
right, and will be starting right if we advocate
zealousy those great political truths which you
have proclaimed to this country and to the world.
and which we understand to be the foundation OF
all good government.
The President replied as follows:-
GENrLEMEN-It is no ordinary pleasure for me
sentiments which you have announced. To re-
ceive so large and respectable Il body Of intelli-
gent gentlemen from that remote region of coun-
try from which you come is highly gratifying to
me. In response, sir, addressing Mr.. Pinney) to
the eloquent manner in which you have expressed
the sentiments and feelings of those whom you
represent on this occasion, might content myself
with simply returning my thanks for your kind
expressions; but you have made some allusions
to which, under the circumstances that surround
us, cannot be Indifferent. You have alluded to
the great principles Of our Government having
been enunciated in paper sent short time
since to the Congress Of the United States. The
declaration by me OF those principles was not me
result OF impulse; it was the result OF thorough
and calm consideration of those great truths
which lie at the foundation of all free govern.
ments. Those who understand these truths and
have laid them down rs their guide cannot fail to
understand the doctrines enunciated in that mes
sage. 1t is not necessary to inquire whether they
emanated from this man or that man. Those who
understand and believe in these principles, no
matter from what standpoint they look at them,
will find themselves, involuntarily and impercep-
tibly it may be, but surely, coming together in
all great struggles that may take place in regard
to them; while those who disclaim them, who are
wiling to repudiate them and set them at nought,
will he found dsintegrating and travelling in
divergent directi, n, for this reason. There may
be many now coming together without any pre-.
vious concert or arrangement, but imperceptibly.
because they agree on these great principles. l
think, gentlemen, there is no one who Gin mistake
the great cardinal principles that are laid down
in that message. They comprehend and embrace
the principles upon which this Government rests,
and upon which, to be successful, / must be ad-
ministered l care not by what name the party
the Government may be denomina-
ted the Union, the Republican party, the Demo-
cratic party, tue American party, or whit not
No party can administer the Government success.
FULLY unless it is administered upon the great
principles laid down in that paper. You would
meet with the same success in attempting to carry
Oh the Government upon any other principles
than those which are found in the Constitution,
40 you would ii you should take hold of piece
of machinery that had been constructed aud train
ed to run tremendously in one direction, and at
tempt by reverse action to run 1t in an opposite
direction. say again that think no one can
fob th,< otvsu oC III 10
easy for persons to misrepresent it., and make as
sertions that this, that or the other has taken
place or will take place; but think may &c
permitted 10 say to you on this occasion that
taking all my antecedents- going back to my ad-
vent into public life and continuing down to the
present timc-the cardinal doctrines set forth in
that paper have been my co lstant guide. After
having gone so far it is too late for me turn and
take different direction. They will be my guide
from this time onward, and those that understand
them may know where shall always be found
when principle is involved Here let me say 10
you, in order to disabuse the public mind, SO far
as it is possible for an individual to do so, that
nv political glass has well nigh run out If
were disposed to refer to myself, might trace my
career back to my log cabin; then an alderman
and O mayor in a village; then through both
branches OF the State Legislature; then, for ten
years in the national House OF Rep
lesentatives; then through the gubernatOrial
Provisional Governor, with slight participation
10 military affairs; then Vice President, and now
in the position occupy before you. And now.
ia this position, ii can be instrumental in res
Loring the government Of the United States in
to their true position in the Union those
States whose relations to The national government
have for time been interrupted by one Of the
most gigantic rebelions that ever occurred in the
world SO that we can proclaim once more that
we are united people, shall feel that the mea-
overfowing. Aud at that point if there be amy
who are envious and jealous OF honor and posi-
ton, l shall be prepared to make them US polite a
bow as know how, and thank them to take the
place have occupied, for my mission will have
been fulfilled. In saying this, in the performance
OF my duty and in response to the encouragement
you have given me, ieel that am in y condition
not to be arrogant, nor to feel imperious or su-
percilious. leel that can afford to do right;
and SO feeling God being willing. intend to do
right; and SO far as in me lies intend to admin
lister this government upon the principles that lie
a. tho tnund,tion of IT, can inform all aSDi-