The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-12
interview OF the Virginia IDeiegntien with
the President-The Address OF the Delegation
and Specch OF the President.

and Speech OF the Pfeshnht
IReported especially for the Star.
Tho delegation deputed by the Virginia
D., ar;slature TO convey TO the President of the
lated States the resolutions approving his
,snonstruction policy We're received by him At
tho White House this morning.
rho committee consists Of eight members ::
Nessrs. f.. F. Keen, A 5. Gray, and Dale
Carter. from the Senate, and Messrs. John Is.
baldwin, James Marshall. p. X. Grattan, A.
q Pendleton, and w. L. Joynes, from the
House of Delegates ihey are mostly gentle
men OF acknowledged ability, and it Is claimed
fully repre- nt the State, geoS raphically and
noIitically being from north, south, east and
west Virginia, and of every shade of past and
present politics. James Marshall, = venerable
looking gentleman is a nephew of the celebra-
ted Chief Justice of that name. Marshall,
Grattan, and Judge Joynes, are among the
ablest lawyers of the State.
Mr. Baldwin, Speaker of the House of Dele
gates as chairman of the committee, present
ed the resolutions and delivered the follow
ing address on behalf Of the committee.
ADDRESS OF Mr.. BALDWIN.
Mr.. President-We are committee Of SEN
ators and Delegates sent TO present toyou i'll
person certain resolutions which have re-
Ieivcd the unanimous approval OF the General
Assembly of Virginia.
we come as Representatives sent by one of
the States of this Union 10 confer with our
Constitutional President in regard to matters
affecting the common government, and there
fore Of interest TO all the States and all the
people.
We come to you, Mr. President, for the rea-
son that you recognize our common interest In
the Government under which we live, ana
because thus far we have been denied the
constitutional means Of communication by
which other States and other people make
known their opinions, purposes, ana 1eenngs,
in the councils of the nation.
In declaring that the people OF Virginia ana
their representatives accept and abide by the
results of the late contest, and that they IN
tend in good faith to meet all the oDllgatlohs
thereby incurred, the General Assembly ex-
presses a sentiment and purpose which have
been uniformly recognized by our people, ihui-
yidualy and in masses, and In regard 10 Wnich
there is no hesitation or division III III VIZ
ginia
Chief among the results thus accepted is the
universal conviction that the Union of these
States is an established and enduring lact, ana
that the whole future Of our people is mas
solubly bound up for veal or woe, Win the
success or failure of the Government OF the
United States. We recognize that Govern
ment as our Government. It's Constitution is
our Constitution; the duties which it requires
are our duties, and the rights when IL pro-
misses are our rights.
Another great result alike accepted by our
people is the final overthrow Of the institution
of slavery. This has been completed by con-
stitutional amendment, the binding force OF
which is universally admitted for although
we were not represented in the Congress by
which il was proposed, the failure TO be so
represented was of our own choice.
The condition of the freedmen among us, and
the policy TO be adopted with regard TO them,
will be recognized by you as calling Tor the
exercise of the highest faculties OF the states
man and the best feelings OF the Christian PM
lauthropist. The General Assembly Of Nir-
ciaia is engaged earnestly in the consideration
of these subjects, and in anticipation OF the
results of their labors we can only say that
whatever policy may be adopted will be adj
dressed in good faith and with kind feeling to
tf,ft h.ay hyrGIp
and moral condition Of our freedmen.
Iou can understand and will readily be-
lieve that the feelings OF our people towards
these freedmen are those of kindness, sympa-
thy and good will, AMI that to treat them with
hars hness or injustice is opposed as much 10
our feelings rs il is 10 our interests ana our
sense of right.
The policy pursued by you, Mr.. President,
toward Virginia and other States in like con-
dition has IFS strong foundation III broad ana
comprehensive views of constitutional right
and of national policy, and must look for It's
ultimate success upon the conservative sense
of justice of the people OF all the States. LUIS
due however, TO you and TO our people, TO
assure YOU that, when our General Assembly
declare the universal approval OF that policy
BY the people of Virginia, they express What
each one of this committee here present knows
10 be 4 living truth.
II happens that your position places you
between us and Il threatened danger, ana the
General Assembly have but given voice 10 the
real feelings of our people when they tender
To YOU the warrilest thanks of Virginia Tor the
firm stand YOU have taken against the facility
with which il is proposed TO change the funda-
mental law. We would not, however, ciaim
as the only, or even the chief, merit OF the
course you are taking, that IL anords 10 us pro-
lection in time OF trouble.
1t is as defender of the general Constitution
that YOU deserve and command the commence
and support of the people Of the United States,
and il will be hereafter remembered as your
olni, m ha character Of pDuDllcun
statesman, that Under all the trying circum-
stances by which you are surrounded, you
have not only proclaimed the Constitution OF
the United States TO be the supreme law OF this
land, but have defended it alike from violation
and from innovation.
The President replied as follows:
SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT.
In reply TO the resolutions which you have
just presented, and the remarks you nave
made, so forcible, so clear, and SO concise, l
shall not attempt anything like fornal ao-
dress, bat will rather enter, rs IT were, INTO
conversation and rs u premise TO what may
say, you must p, rmlt me TO tender my tnanks,
first, for this visit, and next, for the gratinca-
ton afforded me In meeting with so many
intelligent, responsible, and respectable men
from the State you represent, bearing the sen
timents expressed in your resolutions ana III
the remarks acco lpanying them lhey are,
IS far as they rete. 10 the Constitution OF inc
country, the sentiments and the principles EN-
hraced IN that instrument. The preservation
Of the l'uion, as referred to, both III the reso-
lutious and in your remarks, has been from my
entrance into public life one OF my cardinaI
tenets and at the very commencement OF tiils
rebellion land i do not make the reinarh ioi
the purpose of bringing up anything that
has transpired that is unkind In It's cnaracterl
! set my face against the dissolution OF the
union of these States ] believed then, as l
believe now, and as you most unmist y, .s.er
express and indicate, that the rights OF All We,e
better secured in the Union than they couiq
possibly be out of it, and convinced OF inns :
from the first opposed all the EFFORTS maae 70
destroy the Union, Notwithstanding me severe
peril to which ! thus subjected mysei: Inc
result of the bitter ordeal through when we
have passed during the last four years Demon
strates most conclusiyely that the position .
then assumed and maintained was 4 correct
one 1t has proved most conciusivey, a!s So
that this Union cannot be dissolved ina. ti,e
experiment TO that end, after having been iuiiy
and fairly made has failed, and having ialieu,
IL is highly gratifying TO meet gentlemen as
intelligent and responsible as yourselves, WHY
are willing and anxious TO accept, ana uo
accept the terms laid down in the Constitntion'
and are willing to obey the laws mace IN pui
suance thereof We were at one poinS "neh
we separated which was painful In the ex-
IRENE but when we passed round through .ne
period of four years that has tried the Poweeris
OF the Government, land swing round 10 'nis
xa,sn ,oat