Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-10-02

hLeXaN0rlt JoulSOu CONSERVATIVE fioSooANS
Yesterday afternoon delegation OF the OIL
GERS and members Of thu" misunderstanding
Association Of Alexandria, waited upon the
President. Mr. VIM. D. Massey, alter intro
ducing the delegation, addressed the President
in their behalf as follows: ...-.---
Mr.. PRESIDENT: | have been delegated by
those who now surround you, all OF whom are
citizens Of Virginia and original Union men
A LARGE proportion Of them arc natives OF that
noble State, 'the mother Of Presidents
Others there are who, years since, adopted that
State as their future home for life ; and, sir, II
| were to particularlzc, / could point out 70
you many here present who We're the hrss 10
enter and the last to leave the ranks OF the
Union army in the late struggle through which
our beloved country has just passed,
We come to you, SIT, not as Anare" JoHil-
son, of Tennessee; not as the Chic1 ExccutlTe
Of the nation not rs I'm our eSllmat!on) the
highest official of the word-the President CT
the United States-but as children to q father
whom they feel has been kind iadul gent and
forgiving but has been the victim oil pcrSccu-
ton and abuse unparalleled by many OF those
whom he has devoted the best years OF his lite
to protect and, if possible, through you to
reach the minds and hearts Of our Union, loving
brethren throughout the entire length and
breadth Of cur cOuntly,in all appeal to them to
assist Us in Strengthening you TO continue IN
tic good work 50 nobly begun and SO patriot
caly carried on by you to restore our whole
country to its former condition OF peace, hal
mony, and prosperity.
and perhaps, sir, can the more fully III
form you, and, through you, convince the
lovers of the Union everywhere what arc the
real opinions and desires OF the truly loyal men
Of Virginia upon the political questions Of the
day, by reading to you Il copy OF series. OF
resolutions, adopted at a meeting OF the orlgl-
nal Union mon Of Virginia, held in Alexandria
September 7, 1866.
The resolutions were then presented, after
Which, Mr. Massey continued as follows
The meeting at which these resolutions were
adopted was held in pursuance oil 4 call publish
cd in the public papers, September |, 1866, and
was largely attended by those who were loyal to
the Government of their fathers and true to the
aware from practical experiences man hazardcd
| his life By declaring that be was q Union man
| in Virginia. and such men arc here to day to
| give YOU such encouragement and support as Il
| full approval Of your course by them can afford
| YOU: and they would take occasion to say to you
that they are ready and willing to stand by you
| us President Of the United States, and defend
tic Constitution Of their country from any at
tack that may como againstit or you from your
cncnlics East West, North, or South.
| In conclusion, Mr. President, permit NE to
assure you that, in all you have so tar done, you
have the hearty approval of the original
Union men of Virginia.
| Colonel Dulany then spoke u few words, say
ing he had travelled over the State of Virginia,
and he would say from personal observation that
| the President policy met the hearty approval
not only Of the original Union men, but OF all
the true men III the State.
| RESPONSE or TIE PRESIDENT
The President said, in reply, that the cordial
expression of confidence in him which was pre-
scented in the address was ut this time peculiarly
acceptable, and calculated to inspire him with
renewed determination to pursue the course he
had been pursuing until the struggle agitatlng
the country was ended. He would refer to his
past course as u conclusive indication and assur-
ancc Of his action in the future, and he trusted
that nothing he might do would ever lead any
to think that their confidence in him had been
misplaced. 1t was his design to effect as speed
| lily as possible Il restoration OF peace and lar-
mony throughout the whole country
| At the conclusion Of the remarks these dele
! cation retired.