The weekly union record., 1866-03-03
The President Explains.

WASHINGTON, February 27th.-Governor
Cox OF Ohio, after au interview with the Pres
ident, reduced the conversation to writing and
read it last evening to the Ohio delegation.
The President said bis policy had simply
aimed at the earliest possible restoration of
peace on the basis of loyalty. No Congress
ional policy had ever been adopted. There
fore when he entered the Office be was obliged
to adopt one of his own. Congress had no
just ground of complaint that be had done so.
He was satisfied that no long continuance of
military government could be tolerated that
the whole country demanded the restoration of
civil government, and that not to give it to
the lately rebelious States, would be an ad
mission Of failure OF the Administration and
of the party which carried through the war
proper system of paei6cation would be one
which tended everywhere to stimulate loyalty
rather than to impose direct, external force
Thus in the case Of the Freedmens Bureau
be was not against the Bureau in toto, for be
was still using it and might continue to do SO
for more than year yet. He would say to the
South, will put an end TO il just as soon as
you make 1t necessary for the protection OF The
Freedmen. Thus hope stimulates them to DO
right, while they are not discouraged by the
idea that there Is DO end to what they regard
as military government In precisely the same
way he had acted 10 regard to civil affairs
generally in that section. He imposed the
following conditions, namely The amendment
OF the State Constitution, excluding slavery !;
the acceptance of the same amendment 10 the
Constitution of the United States; the re.
pudiation of the rebel debt and the admission
of the freedmen to various rights. To stimu-
late them to accept these conditions. being
such as, using his best Judgement and in the
absence Of any Congressional plan, he thought
the nearest right OF any be could frame, be en-
gagged that on their acceptance. with evidence
OF good faith, be would permit them to reor-
gauize their State Governments aud, as far as
Executive acts could do it, be would restore
them to their position in the Union. They
had so far accepted the conditions that be
regarded the experiment as successful. There
was now bat one respect in which these States
did not exercise their full rights, and that was
representation 10 Congress 10 this, be had
advised that the same principle of stimulating
loyalty be applied. he would admit only such
representatives as are 10 fact loyal and can give
satisfactory evidence of it. He did not ask
to be judge of the elections ard qualifications
OF members of Congress or of their loyalty.
Congress was its Own judge, and be had 10
idea Of interfering with lis constitutional
rights. His whole heart was with the true
men who had carried the country through the
war, and be earnestly desired 10 maintain
cordial and perfect understanding with them.
This sentiment be regarded as entirely consis-
tent with a determined opposition TO the OBJ
structive policy Of those extremists who, as be
believed, would keep the country in chaos till
absolute ruin might come upon Us. Governor
Cox says, in conclasoD
Such Is the statement of the President on
this important matter. and if you could meet
his straightforward, honest look, and hear the
hearty tone of bis voice, as did am well
assuerd you could believe with me, that al
though be may not receive personal assaults
with the forbearance Lincoln used TO show,