The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-03-28
Our Commissioners to Washington.

1t will be recolected that our State legislature sent
delegation to Washington for the purpose of pre-
sening to the president series Of resolutions passed
BY that body, setting forth the loyalty Of Lousiauians
and their appreciation Of his policy to restore the
Union. The commission, having accomplished its
work. arrived at New Orleans on the 2lst. The same
night both houses Of the general assembly met in the
senate chamber to listen to their report through Mr.
Egan. The following is the substance Of Mr.. Egan's
address, as reported in the New Orleans True Delta Of
the 22d:
Mr.. Egan began by recitng the manner in which
they had proceeded to Washington. On arriving
there, finding Hon. Randall Hunt Z. s. senator from
louisiana confined to his room by sickness, they pro-
cured the services of senator Sharkey OF Mississippi
to introduce them to the president and the following
day appointed by him for formal reception. AT
the time indicated they called upon the president and
laid before him their credentials and the resolutions
with which they were sent. At the same time, they
took occasion to make him fully acquainted with the
condition of the State and the of the people
They assured him that the resolutions presented were
not paper protestations but the frank, sin
cere utterances of the people, and faithfully expressed
their sentiments; that the people we're willing anc
DESTROYS of becoming more good citizens of the
Union; that the people of Louisiana still cherished
strong feeling of devotion to the principles OF the
\ constitution and republican form Of government
The president expressed himself peculiarly grathec
to receive the resolutions and hear those assurance;
directly from the people. He said he felt great inter
est in the future of Louisiana, and said he was willing
to accede to the people all that they claimed He wa:
satisfied they had an honest desire to accommodate
themselves to the situation OF affairs lie did not re-
card their professions idle insncere; and he wa;
willing to trust them in with all the people o.
the southern States. The commissioners were i'm
pressed at their interview, that the president wa:
7 IL
and firm in his resolution to carry out the policy he
has already indicated. He had idea Of yielding tc
the radicals he said he would steer his straight
forward as regardless Of the northern extremists h(
had done during the regardless of southern extre
miss. He wishes to rid the south of military occupa
ton and other evils but is retarded in his endeavo
to do so by the embarrassments with which his policy
I is being met by the radicals in congress. He wishes
the people to have patience, and he will steadily en-
deavor to restore them all their rights under the
constitution. The president favorably impressed
I with the commissioners and their views, and so ex
pressed himself on several occasions He requested
them to call on certain members Of the cabinet anC
! they did so, and met with great lrankness anc
kindness ard an assurance that all that the executive
could do being done to rehabiitae the southern
States as before the One member of the cabine
remarked to them You need but to do two things
run up the old flag and abolish slavery. You have
done both and now you should have all the rights anc
privileges to which any other State is entitled, and
you would have them but for the congressional oPpo
ston to the presidents policy" Another remarked
" If congress shall differ with the president today i
must yield tomorrow; and if not tomorrow, STILL III
time it yield; for he will adhere to bis line o.
policy, and has hope that be will ultimately succeed
The commissioners we're impressed in all their commit
nieations with the public men in the western and
northern cities through which they passed, that the
people everywhere are rising to the support OF the
presidents policy and endorsing his veto Of the freed
mems bureau bill With regard to the calling of con
venton in Louisiana, the president said that though
he not personally against it, yet he advised that
the matter be postponed lest the enemies of the south
might it against them and thereby tend to embar
rass his administration He stated to them he had nc
fears whatever of the people HIMSELF but advised this
course for the present a matter Of policy. lie
recognised the right of the people to have conven
ton, and hoped the proper time would soon arrive
| Mr.. Egan spoke of the impressions made upon the
mind Of the commissioners, from all they saw ant
heard while away, that the time cannot be distant
when the southern States must be readmitted and re
turned to all their constitutional rights.
The speaker sat down amid much applause.