The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1866-02-21

WASHINGTON, February l0,-This af
tcrnOOn committee from the Senate and
House Of Delegates of the State of Virginia
ca led upon President 10 nson, for the pur-
pose Of presenting him with the resolutions
adopted ly the General Assembly OF Vir-
ginla. The following named gentlemen CON
s,Ituted the committee:
From the Senate-Messrs. L. L. Keen,
\. $. Gray and Dale Carter.
From the House Of Delegates-Msssrs.
John B. Baldwin. James Marshall, 4. X.
Grattan, A. q. Pendleton and William I.
Jaynes.
They are gentlemen of acknowledged
ability, and, it is claimed, fully represent
the State geographically and politically, be-
ing from North, South East and West Yir-
glnia, and every shade of past and present
politics
james Marshall, venerable looking gen
tieman, is nephew of the celebrated Chief
justice Marshall. Messrs. Marshall and
Grattan, and Judge ,Iaynes are among the
a5iest lawyers of the Safe Mr.. Baldwin,
Speaker oithe House OF D, legates, as Chair
man OF the COMMITTEES, presented the reso.
lutions and delivered the following address
in bchali of the Committee:
Mr.. Presidents: We are Committee of
Senators and delegates sent to present you
IN person certain resolutions, which have re-
celvcd the unanimous approval of the Gen
eral Assembly OF Virginia. We come as
Representatives, sent 10y one of the States
OF this Union, to confer with our Con&titu-
tlonai President in regard TO matters affect
ing the common Government, and there
fore Of interest tn all the States aud all the
people.
We como to you, Mr.. President, for the
reason that you recognize our common in
tcrost III the Government under which we
I've, and because thus far We have been de-
MED the constitutional measures of commu-
njcation BY which other States and other
people make known their opinions, purpo-
ses and feelings in the councils Of the Ma
ton.
ln declaring that the peoplA Of Virginia
and their representatives. accept and abide
by the results Of the late contest. and that
thtg intend, in good faith, to meet all the
obligations thereby incurred, the General
Assembly expresses u sentiment and pur-
pose which have been uniformly reorganiz-
ed by orr people, individually and in mas
scS, aud in regard to which there is no hest
taton or division in all Virginia. Chief
among the results thus accepted is the ami
vcrsal conviction that the Onion Of these
States is an established and an enduring
fact, and that the whole future of our pco-
pie is iudj solubly bound up, for wear or
woe, with the success or failure of the Gov
eminent of the United States.
We recognize the Government as our own
Government; its Constitution is our ConSti-
tution,sand the duties which it promises are
our rights. Another great result alike ac
copied by our people is the final overthrow
Of the institution Of slavery, and this has
been completed by Constitutional amend
mcnt the binding force Of which is univer-
sally admitted, for although We was not rep
resented in the Curgse&s by which it WAS
proposed: the failure to be SO represented
was onr own choice.
The condition Of the freedmen among us
and the policy to be aloptc wi h regard to
them viii be recognized by You as calling for
the exercise Of the highest faculties Of the
statesman and the lest feelings of the Chris
tain phlanthropiat, The General Assem-
bly, Of Virginia Is engaged earnestly in the
consideration Of these subjects, and in uutic-
ipaton of the result Of their iabors. we can
only say that whatever policy may be adopt
ed VII be addressed in good Faith and with
kindly feeling to the Improvement Of the
physical, intellectual and moral condition Of
our freedmen.
You o&a understand, and readily ScIieyc,
that Ike feeling Of our people toward these
freedmen We those OF kindness, sympathy
and good will, and that TO treat tenn with
harshncas og injustice is opposed as much
to our tcl.i a. s5 it il to our interest and
our sense Of right
The policy pursued by you, Mr.. President,
toward Virginia and other States in like
has its strong foundation in broad
and comprehensive views Of constitutional
right and national policy, and must look tor
its ultimate success upon the conservatives
sense OF fjuStice OF the people of all the States;
1t is due, however, to you, and to our peo-
pie to assure you that when our General As
semhIy declares the approval Of that policy,
by the people Of Virginia they express what
each one Of this committee here present
knows to be living trlth.
1t happers that your position places you
between Us and a threatened danger, and
the General Assembly have but given a
voice to the real feelings Of ollr people when
they tender to you the wmmcSt thanks OF
Virginia for the firm stand you have taken
against the facility with which it il proposed
to change the fundamental law. We would
not, however clalm as the only, or even the
chlet merit OF he course you are taken that
It affords to uS protection in time Of trOu-
be-
1t is as q defender Of the general Consti-
tuition that you deserve and command the
condolences and support OF the people of the
United States, and it will be hereafter re-
membored, as your highest claim to the
character Of Republican statesman, that
under all the trying circum stances bY which
you are surrounded, you have not only pro-
claimed the Constitution of the United
States to be the supreme law Of the United
States to be the supreme law of this land,
but have defended it alike from innova-
ton.
RESPONSE NF TIE PRESIDENT TO THE VlR-
GINA LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION.
The President, in reply said
GENTLEMEN: In reply to the resolutions
you hope just presented to me, and the clear
and lorcihle and concise remarks which you
have made in explanation Of the position of
Virginia, shall not attempt to make a for
mai speech, but simply enter into plain
conversation in regard to the condition of
things in which we stand. AS premise to
what may say, permit me first to tender
you my thanks for this visit. and next to
express the qualification feel in meeting so
many intelligent, responsible and regpecta-
BILE men of Virginia, bearing to me the sen
tin ents which haze cen expressed in the
resolution of your Legislature, and in the
remarks accompanying them. They are SO
far as they refer to the Constitution of the
country, the sentiments and the principles
embraced IN that charter ofthe Government
The preservation, Of the Union has been,
from my entrance into public life, one of
my cardinal tnnets. At tho very incipien-
cy of this rebellion | set my face against the
Of the States.
do not make this allusion for the pur-
nose of bringing up any thing which has