Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-05-24


and connected with II the duty of encouraging
the reorganizaton Of local governments IN
eacn OF these states To this subject, my fell
and the Cabinet was early cirected-wtth what
success need not point out to you I think
venture not too far in saying that history fur
eral authority has been established. recognized,
andlobeyed in every State south Of Mason and
Di1on's line. IApplause The local govern
menis in those States have been reformed sub
stantially TO meet their changed condition. re-
sulting from the abolition Of slavery, and are
now being peaceably administered. Doubt
less there are provisions in the cons sututIons of
some Of these States, as there are IN the laws
enacted by some Of their Legislatures. thai are
not in consonance with the views OF the moral
and liberty loving citizens OF the nation; bat
we cannot reasonably doubt that these viii
give place 10 better provisions and better laws,
under the inn iuence Of the Federal Govern
ment and their own material necessities. But
one thing remains, my ellow-citizsns, TO COM
plete the work OF restoration, and 10 clothe the
southern States with all their constitutional
privileges and that Is. their representation IN
Congress. GApplause.l Upon this, with the
regret, that ther. i n sS1 a,trans r.sre aeep,s
President and our friends IN Congress But
You will have observed that this difference ~
not as 10 who shall represent the Southern
sties. Their loyalty - 20 be- tested nv the
'aking of the oatps prescribed by the CoustItu-
tlon and the laws-required alike bv the Pres
loent and Congress. and for every senator and
South. The difference, then, " not ~ 10 trbo,
but as 10 CheR. these States shall be represent
ed. The whole theory Of the Executive pro-
gramme for the restoration OF the southern
States looks the early admission OF loyai SEN
ators and Representatives from those sStatrs
lapPlause. while the Congressional prO-
gramme. as far as 1t had been developed, looks
10 delay, conditioned on the adoption OF Ger
tain amendments to the Constitution
Now. my friends, we must not overlook the
faet that II this difference be not adjusted. n
Lead M a lg.d
10 unfortunate results, not only 10 the south
eTn STATES, but Ia all the country-and NAV
not add, TO the l mon party, IN whose interests
i learn your ASSOCIATION has been oryani irsd
i need not tell YOU. or those W no Intimately
know me. that IL - lH the continued aScendan.v
OF ne mon party that l rely for the peace
Iced not tell you II was (ai pariT'tn .he r.ld
and At the ballot box. Nd IN. nation tr,-,
the assaults Of armed rebellion. GAnpIausp
viii only acd. It is TO that party. founded ON
the principles OF the BaliimoTc platform. 1
look 20 establish inGestTuctibly, on me basis OF
justice and constf utioual egualIrv th. rrrnr.
oi All lhe STATES OF our common country. IAp-
plause.i Let me refer one moment 10 ia. tf.r-
terence between The President and Cougrr-s
l want - deal frankly with Won. whom / ---
tha, DO not believe these differences grs 49,
reconcilabtp. / do not believe tEerp Is amy
cause OF separatlO.a between -he President aud
The majority IA Congress. IATplauspF Nay.
II / am not greatly al fault. time and discus
sion are bringing the President and CousrsSy
rapidly together on the basis OF a common
platform OF action. TApplause.f Certain an
i, they are not as wide apart a. NJ the opening
OF Congress. Then prominent Senators aud
Representatives argued that the insurcant
States, by the act OF rebellion. had comuirt.d
suicide, and should be treated as conquered
provinces and territories: then II was arrued
by some distinguished Congressmen that mo
public safety imperatiyely demanded that this
condition should be imposed unon Them an
but these propositions are not now argued IN
Congress, and dc not think that i'm the future
We shall hear them bated / see in this fact
a steady and encouraging advance toward
pfactlcal adjustment, and may we not reason
ABLY hope their concessions were made 10 me
end OF securing recon nciliation. satisfactory and
full, that shall be alike consistent with th.
dignity and patriotism both OF the Executive
and Cor rgress Every consideration OF na
tTiotism and wisdom favors such a resuIt Inc
work OF restoration calls for every concession
authorized by the Constitution. I will nor
doubt that thls concession VIII he made, and
TIE results of the war, by which the nation was
preserved, Will be secured and perpetuated ON
the basis OF peace and concord between the
people OF all the sections Of the country.
have s;ld much more than expected. and
return my thanks arSin for the friendly call
and now bid you very good night.
Inc band then headed the multitude and pro-
ceeded to the residence OF Attorney General
Speed, on II street, where an air was pIayad.
and IL was then announced that the Attorney
General was not at home.
Secretary Harlan, who resides a few doors
east Of AttoI ney General Speed. was next corr
pllmented. Repeated calls were made for him
when Hon Green Clay Smith Announced rb.r
Secretary Harlan had written a letter, which
would De read upon the return 10 the club
room.
The band and the members of the club then
PROCEEDED 10 their room on 18th street, when
'ne IonO"lng leSers were lead, after which the
sSsar sas"S s.sPssssa g: 80 --.-p. u.rr..
ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFIC y, WASHING
TON. May %, ls66-Dr. J. b. Ferguson. Corrss-
J onding Secretary National JniOa CIHb-Sir.
Late yesterday afternoon i received your no.
tlce that would be serenaded tins evening N
eight o cleck. As you have seen fit 10 nofitv
me OF this intended compliment i presume
that an address will be expected II is right
thereiorr, that should say beforehand that
Inc shortness OF the time and pressing engage
ments viii not permit me TO prepare a fitting
address, and L most respectfully state that 4
must be excused from speaking on the ocea-
sion. Your obedient servant
JAMES SPEED.
LETTER OF SECRETARY HARLAN.
DEPARTNENT OF THE INTERIOR, WASHING
TON, ID. e, May %, lS66.-Sir. Several days
since 1 received a note signed by Won As Pres,-
dent OF the National Union Club, informing
me OF their intention 10 serenade the President
ana MS Caolnet ofncers on an evening which
you there named, and a note from the secre-
tary OF this organization, announ cling it's post
ponement on account OF the character o{ the
weather have to-day received a third note
signed by the corresponding secretary inform
ing me that the serenade will be rendered this
evening, at o'clock.
After rendering 10 you and the club ny
the number 20 be thus honored, L regret 10 he
compelled TO add that my official engagements
render II impracticable for me 10 be present
This circumstance gives me less pam as /
am not conscious OF having done anything
which entities me personally to the honor Of
such an ovation.
And IL this proposed call - intended, as the
newspapers ASSERT, TO furnish the officials con-
nected with the Executive Department of the
an opportunity 10 announce their
opinions on political subjects, L am inclined TO
think II pardonable egotism for me 70 suppose
my opinions are fully known TO all who NAV
consider them OF sufficient conseouence 10
merit passing notice, as have frankly pro-
claimed them on the floor Of the Sena:e and
from the rostrum for ten consecutive years
next preceding the commencement Of nv SER
vice as Secretary OF the Interior, and have not
AT any time since, when occasion required il,
failsd 10 express my views with co ual caudor
As mypolItical affiliations In the past have not
been doubtful, do not intend tnat they shall be
so in the future. I have been four times elected
% seat In the United States Senate by the
legislature OF Iowa, as representative Of the
Republican Union party, and as a member of
that political organization 1 was appointed 10
the ofhce now hold. To betray the con fidence
thus m Won Ia ha = r,..,o.-...E-.-