Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-10-11
LINCOLN AND JOHNSON.

From very able and timely speech, deliver
ell bv Hon. c. C. Iangdon, of Alabama, IN
BROOKLYN. we make the following extracts,
which are well worthy the consideration OF those
who were sincere supporters OF Mr. Lincoln
TIN no, rcvopNn LINCOLN AND OF Mr.. JOHNSON.
The Radicals are unceasing in their abuse of
President johnson for failing, as they allege, to
carry ont the policy of Mr.. Lincoln. | have
said that Mr.. Lincoln would have adopted a
les stringent policy towards the South than
has Mr. johnson. The question will naturally
arise here. bv what authority do I presume to
sneak for Mr.. Lincoln? Strange as it may ap-
pear. have the authority, in the very words Of
MIR. Lincoln. uttered in the city of Richmond,
and put in writing by his own hand only DAY
or two preceding his death. l received them
from the gentleman to whom they were address,
ed-a gentleman Of the pureSt character ana
the Hottest integrity-an eminent Jurlst, VINO
has held high positions in both the United
States and the late Confederate Government,
whose private character is sure guarantee OF
the entire truthfulneSs Of his statements. lie
met Mr.. Lincoln at Hampton Roads, and sub
sequently at Richmond, and | give you the
statement in his own language:
Mr.. Lincoln, in his remarks at Hamp ION
Roads andin Richmond, in my hearing, declared
that the paramount object of his policy was to
restore the Constitution and the Union without
diminution. ConfscatiOns, pains and penalties,
and laws of prescription were spoken of by him
and MIR Seward in his presence at Hampton,
as the offspring of revolutionary passions the
fercest passions Of the war, which were 10
perish bv the termination of the war. lie said
in Richmond, and put it in writing, that there
were but three
CONDITIONS OF PEACE.
LIST. The restoration of the National authori
ty. ID. No cessation of hostilities till that be
accomplished. Sd. No receding from his posi-
ton on the subject of slavery, as exposed in his
proclamations and other documents. All other
questions were TO be settled ON terms of the
Z" sncereSt hberaGty."
These were about the last utterances of Mr..
Lincoln on earth. They proved to be, as it
were, his dying words. You will notice how
perfectly they harmonic with all his previously
expressed views, and with the resolution adopt
ed by Congress. There can be no doubt then as
towhatwould have been Mr. Lincoln'S policy had
he lived to carry it into effect. He had sue
ceeded in putting down the Rebellion, he had
effected the abolition OF slavery, there was no
longer an armed resistance to the National au
thority, the war had ceased, and all that was
necessary to crown his administration with res
plendent glory, and cap the climax of his own
fame, was the restoration of the seeding States
to their former position in the Union. The
Union restored, and peace and fraternalrelations
among the several States so established and his
highest ambition would have been gratitied.-
How speedily, and at the same time how mildly
and gently, this result would have been attain
ed, may be inferred from the language used by
him at Hampton and Richmond. Had he lived,
gentlemen, hesitate not to say, the Union
would long ago have been restored in terms far
more liberal TO the South than is the policy of
Mr.. johnson, liberal and just as l acknowledge
that policy to be. And yet Mr.. johnson is de
nOunced as a traitor to the party that elected
him, and to the policy of Mr.. Lincoln.