Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-02-15

Reception of Senators and DelegateS
from the Old DOmIniOn-Their Adj
dress-Mr. JOhnsOn'S RePIY-COm-
pIete Definition of His POIicy-The
GUnion TO be Restored" His Cardin-
al standpoint. .....,,ta .......,. ...,-...r
WASHINGTON, Saturday, Feb. 10.
This afternoon committee from the
Senate and Houseof Delegates of the State
of Virginia, called upon President JOhn-
son for the purpose Of presenting him with
resolutions adopted by the General Assem-
bly, of Virginia.
The followiug-named gentlemen consti-
tuted the committee: rt
From the SeHqte-Messrs. z. F. Keen,
A. S. Gray and Dale Carter. I
From The House Of DclegdteS-Messrs. John
B. Baldwin, James Marshall, A.. X. Graf
tan, A. G. Pendleton and VIM, i. Joynes
They are gentlemen of acknowledged.
ability, and it Is claimed fully represent the
State geographically and politically, being
from North, South, East and West Virginia,
and of every shade OF past and present
politics. ,I.l@..r l' IN ,i.i
James Marshall, a venerable-looking
gentleman, is nephew of the celebrated
Chief-Justice Marshall.
Messrs. Marshall and Grattan and Judge
Joynes are among the ablest lawyers OF the
State.
Mr.. Baldwin, Speaker of the House of
Delegates, as Chairman of the committee,
presented the resolutions, and delivered the
following address in behalf of the COM
mittee: '.. . a... or.
ADDRESS OF MR.. BALDWIN.
Mr.. PRESIDENT We are committee of
Senators and Delegates sent to present to
in which
have received the unanimous approval of
the General Assembly Uf Virginia. We
come as representatives sent by one of the
States of this Union to confer with our
constitutional President in regard to mat
ters affecting the common Government, and
therefore of interest to all the States and all
the people. ..... ....... =
We come to you, Mr.. President, forthe
reason that you recognize our common in
terest in the Government under which we
live, and because thus far we have been
denied the constitutional measures of COM
munication by which other States and
other people make known their opinions,
purposes and feelings in the councils of the
nation. ff-.--- ....-...r1
In declaring that the people of Virginia
and their representatives accept and abide
by the results of the late contest and that
obligations thereby incurred, the General
Assembly expresses sentiment and a
purpose which have been uniformly recog-
nized by our people individually and in
masses, and in regard to which there is 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 an endur-
ing fact, and that the whole future of our
people is indissolubly bound up, for veal
or woe, with the success or failure of the
Government of the United States. We rec
ognize that Government as our Govern
ment. Its Constitution is our Constitution.
The duties which itpromises are our rights.
| Another great result alike accepted by our
people is the final overthrow of the institu-
tioI, Of slavery. This has been completed
| by Constitutional amendment, the bind
! ing force of which is universally admitted,
| for although we are not represented in the
! Congress by which it was proposed, the
| failure to be so represented was our own
choice. The condition 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 high
| est faculties of the statesman and the best
| feelings of the Christian philanthropist
| The General Assembly of Virginia is en-
| gagged earnestly in the consideration of these
| subjects, and in anticipation of the results
| of their labors, we can only say that what
ever policy may be adopted will be adopted
| in good faith and with kind feeling to the
| Improvement of the physical, intellectual
| and moral condition of our freedmen. You
can understand and will readily believe that
the feelings of our 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 condition, has its strong
foundation in the broad and comprehensive
| views of constitutional right and of nation
| al policy, and must look for its ultimate
success upon the conservative sense of JUS
tice of the people of all the States. 1t is
due, however, to you and to our people, tC
assure you that when our General Assembly
declares the approval of that policy by the
people OF Virginia, they express what each
one of this committee here present knows
| to be Ii ring truth. It happens that your
position places you between us and threat
ened danger, and the General Assembly
have but given voice to the real feelings o.
our people when they tender to you thE
iwarmest thanks Of Virginia for the firm
stand you have taken against the facility
with which it is. proposed to change tht
| fundamental law, We would not. hOwev-
i er, claim as the only, or even the chief merit
of the course you are taking, that 1t afford:
to us protection In time of trouble. 1t IL
as defender of the general Constitution tha
you deserve and command the confidence
and support of the people of the United
Stotae and n will he hhrpafsar rom 4, laear