The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1866-03-10
Conversation between the Presi.
dent and Gov. Cox, OF Ohio.

Washington, Feb. 27.-Gov. Cox, of
Ohio, after an interview with the Presi-
deut reduced the conyersation to writing
and read it to the Ohio delegation. The
President said his policy had simply
aimed at the earliest possible restoration
of peace on the basis of loyalty. No
Congressional policy had ever been adopt
ed therefore, when he entered the Office
he was obliged to adopt n of his own.
Congress had no just ground of complaint
that he had done SO. He was satisfied
that no long continuance of military gov.
lernment could be tolerated that the
whole country demanded the restoration
of civil government; and that not to give
il to the lately rebellious States would be
an admission of failure of the Admins
%tration, and of the party which carried
through the war. A proper system Of
pacifeation would be one which tended
Everywhere to stimulate loyalty rather
than to impose direct external force.
Thus in the case of the Freedmen's Blu
reau, he was not against the Bureau in
toto, for he was still using it and might
continue to do so for more than a year
yet. He would say to the South: 81
will put an end to it just as soon as you
make it necessary for the protection Of
the freedmen. Thus hope stimulate:
them to do right while they are not dis
couraged by the idea that there is no end
to what they regard as military govern.
ment." In precisely the same way he
had acted in regard to civil affairs gener-
ally in that section. He imposed the
following conditions, namely the amend
ment of the State Constitution excluding
slavery, the acceptance of the same amend
ment to the Constitution of the United
States, the reputation of the rebel deb
and the admission of the freedmen t.
various rights. To stimulate them {,
accept these conditions, and in the alb
sence of any Congressional plans he en-
gagged that on their acceptance with eyi
dence of good faith he would permi
them to reorganize their State Govern
menis, and as far as Executive acts coulC
do it he would restore them to their posi-
ton in the Union. They had so far &C
cepted the conditions that he REGARDED
the experiment as successful. There wa.
but one respect in which these States di.
not exercise their full rights, and tina
was representation in Congress. In thi
he had advised that the same principl
stimulating loyalty be applied. He woul'
admit only such representatives as are ii
fact loyal, and can give satisfactory evi
denee of it. He did not ask to be
Judge of the elections and qualifications G
members of Congress or of their loyalty
Congress was its own Judge and he ha'
no idea of interfering with its Constitu
tional rights. His whole heart was wit
the true men who had carried the countr.
through the war, and he earnestly desire,
to maintain a cordial and perfect under
standing with them.
h Such is the statement of the Presiden.
% this important matter, and if you coul'
meet his straight forward, honest lool
and hear the hearty tone of his voice as
did, I am well assured you could believ.
with me, that although he may not re
ceivc personal assaults with the forbeaI
ance Lincoln used to show, there is N
need of fear that Andrew johnson is nc
sincere in his adhesion to the principle
upon which he was elected. Very truI
yours, (Signed) j. D. Cox.