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

much. lVoices-'.(io onn] I have only TINS
tin 70 say; l have desired and hoped for the con-
unuation Of the great Union party, with which
nave been ever identified. TCheers.1 But II
lis leaders can present nothing better than the
programme of the committee, 1 am greatly
ICheers.I - o''' VIII Oe numbered
trust fellow-citizens, that this will not be
the case; that il will discard its hostility and
iIs attempt TO continue alienation between the
TWO sections OF the country, and that II Will
embrace those principles which look 70 har-
mony, TO restoration. and TO peace. II it should
90 tnls, II Will continue 10 be the great aud
controlling party Of the country, and cover
itself with imperishable glory. II il does not,
ns days are numbered, and the epitaph that
Will be written on il will oe, 1t knew how 70
prosecute The war with vigor, but it lacked the
wisdom TO avail itself of the benefits OF vic
tory" GApplause. and three cheers for Sec
The Secretary of War was next called upon
the band playing Rally round the flag"
when Johnny comes marching home" and
other airs. Secretary Stanton said:
SECRETARY sTANToN's SPEECH.
Gentlemen: On the afternoon OF Thursday,
the 18th OF this month, ! received a no.e from
the secretary OF the National Union Johnson
Club, telling me II was the design OF the asso-
cIatIon 10 serenade the President and his Cab
met. and that l would be- called upon AZ nv
residence Immediately on the receipt OF this
note reply was sent 10 the secretary, express
ing my thanks for the compliment. and de-
clinIng the honor of the serenade: a similar
compliment by the patriotic ASSOCIATION OF tne
been declined.
Two reasons induced my action. The last
time public speech was made from this -pOJ
III answer TO a Serenade was the night ot Fsi-
day. the lith day OF April, 10. Al Jha- mo-
ment. when we were rejoicing over the down
tall OF the rebellion, one OF IT. instruments vas
numbering Mr.. Lincoln. You Will nOt think
| il strange that n complimentary occasion
fraught with such associations should No. be
coveted. Besides, as the head OF a department
my public duties have been simply executive:
and IL has always been my aim 10 avoid tren ch-
ing upon duties deyolVed upon others, and 10
avoid mischief by premature discussion OF
matters entrusted 10 the legislative branch Of
the Government and under its consideration.
But the call OF this evening relieves M from
any imputatIon OF IntTuding my opuioIs upon
you. / shall therefore declare them briefly
and plainly; and TO the end that they NAV be
neither accidentally misunderstood. nor will
fully misrepresented, what i. is my purpose 10
| say on this occasion has been written
After four years of war the authority OF the
Federal Government was established through
out the whole territory of the United STATES,
al a sacrifice Of over three hundred thousand
lives of loyal soldiers and cost of more than
three Thousand millions OF dollars Nearly
every household in eighteen loyal States is
mourning its loved ones slain by rebels: a tax
which may last fer generations Is LAID upoa
the food and ralment and necessities of every
family, and in the price of their daily bread
the twenty million inhabitants OF TIE loyaI
States feel, and will long contInue TO feel. what
IL cost 10 uphold their Government against re-
bellion.
The Office OF President devoIvpd upor Mr..
Johnson at The death OF Mr.. Lincoln, on the
18th day of April, 1865. Thirteen days before
that time, Richmond, the sea, of the rebel gov
ernment, had been capthred. and six DAYS la
Ter The rebel commander-iu-c chief, Robert l..
Lee, routed and vanGuished, surrendered ais
army as prisoners of war 20 General Grant
and The forces under bis command. By these
rapidly succeeding events the rebel govern
ment was overthrown. its strength and hone
exhausted, and in every State its armed forces
and official authorities gave themselves un As
prisoners of war. The Presidents annual
message 10 The present Congress thus clearly
states the condition of the country. and the
question thereby imposed upon him
/" L found the States sufferingrrom the effects
OF civil war. Resistance to the General
Government appeared 10 have exhausted it,
session Of their forts and T sfseTs. and .s;-
armies were IN the occupation of every State
which had attempted 10 secede. Whether the
territory within the limits of those States
should be held as conquered territory, under
military authority emanating from the PresI-
dent as the head OF the army, was the first
question that presented itself for decision"
After stating the objections 10 the continu-
ance of merely military rule, the alternative
course chosen by him and supported by his
Cabinet is thus clearly set forth:
provisional governors have been an poin ted
for the States, conventions called governors
elected, legislatures assembled, and represen-
tatlyes chosen TO the Congress of the United
States Al the same time, the courts of the
United States, rs far as could be done, have
been reopened, so that the laws of the United
States NAV be enforced through their agency
The blockade has been removed and the Gus
TOM houses re established in ports of entry so
that the revenue OF the United States NAV be
collected. The Post Office Department re-
news its ceaseless activity, and the General
Goyernment is thereby enabled to communi-
cate promptly with its officers and agents.
The courts bring security u persons and prop
erty; the opening Of the ports in vte the resto.
ration OF industry and commerce; me post
office renews the facilities OF social intercourse
and OF business"
No one better than Mr.. johnson understood
the solemn duty imposed upon the National
Executive to maintain the national authority,
vindicated at so great a sacrifice, and the OBJ
legation not to suffer the Just fruits of so fierce
astruggle, and OF so many battles and victo.
ries, TO slip away or turn TO ashes. In many
speeches TO delegations from loyal States III,
dispatches TO provisional governors acting
under MS authority, and in declarations made
to the public for their information, there was
no disguise of his purpose to secure the peace
and tranquility OF the country on just and
sure foundations.
These measures received the cordial support
Of every member of the Cabinet and were An.
proved by the sentiments declared by conyen-
lions in nearly all Of the States. One point OF
difference presented itself, namely: the basis Of
representation. BY some II was thought iust
and expedent that the right Of suffrage in the
rebel States should be secured In some form to
the colored inhabitants of those States, either
as universal rule or to those qualified by
education or by actual service as soldiers who
ventured lite for their Government. NV own
mind inclined to tins view, but after calm and
full discussion my judgment yielded to the ad.
verse arguments resting upon the practical
difficulties TO be encountered in such a meas
ure, and to the Presidents conviction that to
prescribe rule OF suffrage was not within the
legitimate scope Of his power
Inc plan OF organization embodied in the proc.
iamatlon to the people Of North Carolina, and
the instructions TO the Provisional Governor
OF tnat State. exhibit the system and princi-
pies prescribed by the President for the substi-
tu,ion OF civil authority in the place Of univer-
sal military rule in the insurrectionarv States
In thn plan two things presented by the proc.
lamation and the Presidents instructions are
worthy OF special notice:
First: That the exercise Of the organizing
powers specifically and absolutely restricted
70 the people .'who are loyal to the United
States, and no Others" This is in accordance
with the views often declared by Mr.. johnson
from the commencement Of the rebellion, and
under the most impressive circumstances
secondly. The choice OF delegates was not
only limited to loyal people and no others. but
constitutional guarantees were req uIred IN res
pect 10 the emancipation Of slaves and the
repudiation of the rebe! debt. a sound reason
Tor such guarantees in respect TO slavery is
N