Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-03-01


Endorsing his Reconstruction Policy:
Fellow-citizens, / was about to tender nv
thanks to the copmittcc who waited upon me
aud presented me with the resolutions adopted
on this occasion-resolutions as i understand,
complimentary to the policy pursued by this ad-
n,inistraton since it came into power. i nm
free to say to you On this occasion that tits ex-
trcmely gratifying 10 know that so large q por-
ton Of my fellow-citizcns approve and endorse
the policy that has been adopted and is intend
ed to be carried out; IArplause
That policy has been one which was intend
ed to restore the glorious Union Of the States TO
their original relations to the government Of the
United States. Prolonged applause, This
seems to be day peculiarly appropriate for
such manifcstations-thc day that gave birth to
him who founded this government the Father
of his Country; Of him who stood at that pc
riod at the head of the government, when all
these States entered the Union. This day, l
say, is particularly appropriate to endorse the
restoration Of the Union Of the States founded
by the Father of his Country Washington,
whose name this city bears, is cmbalmed In the
hearts ofall wholovefree government. [Avoice:
$50 is Andrew Johnson Washington; who,
in the language of his eulogist, "was first in
peace, first in war, and first in the hearts Of his
countrymcn." No people can claim him, for no
nation can appropriate him. Hisreputation and
life are the common inheritance fall who love
free government.
to-day had the pleasure Of attending tho
Washington National Monumental Association,
which is directing its efforts to complete the
monument erected to hismemory. ] was glad
to meet them, and so far as could, TO give
them my humble influence. A monument is be-
ing erected 10 him who founded the government,
almost within stones throw OF the spot from
which address You. Let it be completed.
Let the pledges which all these State associa-
tons and corporations have placed in that mon
ument, of their faith and love for this Union, be
preserved. Let il be completed, and In this con-
neetion let me refer 10 The motto upon the stone
sent from my own State, God bless her. "a
voice, "and bless you,"] A State which has
struggled for the preservation Of the Union, in
the field and in the councils of the nation, now
struggling, in consequence Of the interruption
that has taken place in her relations with the
Federal government, growing out Of the rebel
lion, but struggling to recover her relations with
the government, and 10 take her stand where
she has stood since 1896:
Inscribed upon the stone sent here TO be
placed in that monument Of freedom, and in
commcmoration Of Washington, stand by that
sentiment and she is now willing 70 stand by
| IT, 1t was the sentiment enunciated by the Inn
mortal Andrew Jackson " The Federal Union
lit must be preserved wild shouts Of ap-
plause The Federal Union-it must be pre-
served. fRenewed applause:]
Were it possible 10 have the old man whose
statue is now before me, and whose portrait is
behind me in the capital, and whose sentiment
is inscribed on the Stone deposited in the nonu-
nent-were it possible to Communicate with
the illustrous dead, and he could be informed Of
or made TO UNDERSTANDING working and progres,
Of faction, rebellion and treason, the bones Of
the old man would stir in thcif cofiu, and DO
would rise and shake of the habiliments Of the
tomb-he ewouldextendthatlo longarm and finger
of his-he would reitcrate that glorious senti-
nent, +" The Federal Union must be preserved y
| lApplausc.] ~ ~ s.rr
But we sec and witness what has transpircd
since cehisday-werenembe what didin 1888,
when treason, treachcry and ipfdelity to the
government and constitution Of the United
States then stalked forth 1t was his power
and influence that then crushed the treason in
its infancy. It was then stopped only for q
time The spirit continuedj there were rnen
disafectcd TO the government both North and
South we had peculiar institutions Of which
some complained aud to which others are at
tached. - tstisas ~
4 One portion ofour sdyocated that
cnstitution In the South, another Opposed II in
Ishe North. and i resulted u tv~. sftremes.- =
\ One IL the South re.cbpt - rh;eb