Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-02-16

the resolutions passed by that body endors-
ing his policy Of restoration, and declaring
the LOYALTY Of the State to the Government
1nof the United States, had very interesting
y Interview with President Johnson at the Ex-
ecutive mansion on Saturday afternoon.
The delegation consisted Of the following gen
tlemen Messrs. Z +. Keen, a. S. Gray
and Garter from the Senate, and Messrs.
JohEpB. Baldwin, James Marshall. 2. E.
Grattan, 4. G. pendleton and II. 7. Joynes
from ths House of Delegates. -
THEIR nj EIos.
A fow moments after The delegation entered,
Z the President appeared, and was addressed
as follows by Mr.. Baldwin:
Mr. President We are committee Of
the Senate and House Of Delegates of the
State of Virginia, sent to present to you in
person certain resolutions which received the
unanimous approval Of the Senate and House
of Delegates. With your permission Twill
read them.
After reading the resolutions, Mr.. Bald
win proceeded to deliver the following ad-
dressinalehalf of the delegation:
ybREss OF MR.. BALDWIN.
M. president We are committee Of
Senators and Delegates sent to present to you
in person certain resolutions which have re-
ceived the unanimous approval of the Gener-
al Assembly Of Virginia.
We come as representatives sent by one
of the States of this Union to confer with
our constitutional President in regard to mat
tiers affecting the common Government : ana
therefore of interest to all the States and all
the people. We come to you, Mr.. Presi-
dent, for the reason that you recognize our
common interest in the Government under
which we live, and because thus far we have
been denied the constitutional means Of COM
munication by which other 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 obliga-
tons thereby incurred, the General Assem-
bly, expresses sentiment and a purpose which
have been uniformly recognized by our peo-
pie individually and in masses, and in regard
to which there il no hesitation or division in
all Virginia.
Chief among the results thus accepted is
the universal conviction that the Union of
these States is an established and enduring
fact, and that the whole future of our peo-
pie is indissolubly bound up, for veal or
woe, with the success or failure of the Gov
eminent Of the United States. We recog-
nize that Government as our Government
its Constitution is our Constitution the du
ties which it requires are our duties, and the
rights which it promises are our rights.
Another great result alike accepted by our
people is the overthrow Of the institution Of
slavery. This has been completed by con-
stitutional amendment, the binding force of
which is universally admitted for although
we were not represented in the Congress by
which it was proposed, the failure to be SO
represented was of our own choice. The con-
dition Of the freedmen among us, and the
policy to be adopted with regard to them,
will be recognized by you as calling for the
exercise of the highest faculties of the states
man and the best feelings Of the Christian
phlantbropist. The General Assembly of
Virginia is engaged earnestly in the consid-
Grafton of these subjects, and in anticipation
of the results Of their labors, We can only say
that whatever policy may be adopted will be
addressed in good faith and with kind feeling
to the improvement Of the physical, intellect
raj and moral condition Of our freedmen -
Y Il can understand and Will readily believe
that the feelings of FOUR people toward these
freedmen are those Of kindness, sympathy
and good will, and that to treat them with
harshness Or injustice is opposed as much to
our feelings as it is to our interests and our
sense of right.
The policy pursued by you, Mr. President,
toward Virginia, and other States in like con-
dition, has its strong foundation in broad and
comprehensive views Of constitutional right
and Of national policy. and must look for its
ultimate success upon the conservative sense
of justice Of the people of all the States It
is due, however, to you and to our people to
assure you that when our General Assembly
declare the universal approval of that policy
by the people Of Virginia, they express what
each one of this committee here present knows
70 be a living truth. 1t happens that your
position places you between us and threat
ened danger. and the General Assembly have
but given voice to the real feelings of our
people when they tender to you the warmest
thanks Of Virginia for the firm stand you
have taken against the facility with which it
is proposed to change the fundamental law
We would not, however, claim as the only,
or even the chief merit Of the course YOU are
taking, that it affords to lis protection in time
of trouble.
It is as defender Of the general Constits,-
ton that you deserve and command the con-
fdenee and support of the people of the Uni
ted States, and it will he hereafter ren,e,n-
bered as your highest clsiln to the character
OF Republican statesman, that under all the
trying circumstances by which you are sur
rounded, you have not only proclaimed the
Constitution Of the United States to be the
supreme law Of this land, but have defended
it alike from violation and from innovation
RESPONSE OF PRESIDENT JolIssox.
The President said:
In reply. gentlemen. to the resolutions
you have just presented to ME, and the clear
and forcibie and concise remarks which Won