Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-08-23

strict observance of all its obligations. with
kindness and fraternal love everywhere pre-
vailing, the desolations of war will soon be re-
moved its sacrifices of life, sad as they have
BEEN will with christian resignation be referred
to Providential purpose of fixing our beloved
country on firm and admirable basis which
viii forever place our liberty and happiness be-
yond the reach of human peril.
Then, too, and forever, will our Government
challenge the admiration, and receive the res
pect of the nations of the world, and we in nc
danger of any effort to impair our rights or to
impeach our honor; and permit me, sir, in
conclusion, that great as is your solicitude for
the restoration -four domestic peace, and your
labors to that end, we rejoice that You have al
so watchful eye to the rights of the nation
and that any attempt by an assumed or actual
foreign power to enforce an illegal blockade
against the Government or citizens of the u
nited States to use your own mild but ex-
pressive words, " will be disregarded" In this
determination, am sure you will receive the
unanimous approval ofyour fellow-citizens."
The President was sensibly affected by the
address and the enthusiasm with which it was
received, and, after expressing his embarrass-
ment, proceeded. We give few paragraphs
We may justly conclude that we are NOV
ing under proper inspiration, and that the
flnger OF an over-ruling and unerring Proyi-
dence is directing this great move in our affairs.
The nation is no longer in its old peril. 1t has
just passed through great, bloody, and mo-
mentous ordeal; but while we have passed
through that, we may yet find ourselves not
wholly relieved of the clouds that surround u.s.
Every effort has been made, as far as the
Executive department of the Government is
concerned to restore the Union and the Gov
eminent, to bring about harmony, to pour oil
into the wounds that had been inflicted, to APP
ply remedies equal to the evil, or, in common
language, to prepare plaster, healing in its
character, co-eXtensive with the wound which
had been inflicted"
We all thought we had partially succeeded.
AS the work progressed, and as Cancellation
seemed to be assured and the country to be-
come united, we found a disturbing element in
possession of power, and, in making aliusion to
that, | shall make no more than has been made
in the Convention, and by the distinguished
gentleman who has delivered the eloquent adj
dress we have just heard--no more than the
occasion and the times Justify.
ave have witnessed in one department of
the Government every effort made, as it were,
to prevent the restoration of Peace, Harmony,
and the Union We have seen a body assum-
ing to be the Congress of the United States,
when in fact it was but a Congress of a part of
the States. We have seen a Congress assum-
ing to be for Union, when every single step
they took, every single act they performed, was
to breed disunion, and cause the disruption of
the country. We sec every step that has been
taken, instead of bringing anew reconciliation
and harmony, has been legislation that partook
of the character of punishments and penalties,
and that the spirit of hatred and revenge has
been tie policy of one department Of the Gov
eminent.
"There are those who are usurping the pow
ers of and trampling upon the Constitution
| have felt it my duty, in connection with my
Office, to call their attention to these proceed
| ingS; but when they come to examine and ask
,oho is the tyrant, the people must decide. The
elements of tyranny are not in my nature, not
in my heart, nor have they ever appeared in
my practice. On the contrary, there Is not
feeling of my heart that is not against it
"B,R hdring taken my stand upon the broad
principles Of liberty and Of the Constitutions
there is not poIcer on earth that can drtre me
from II.
1.-THE President was here obliged to stop for
some moments, in consequence OF Tire lord con-
tinued applause that greeted this Jackeonian
uttcrance.
Upon that broad platform have taken my
stand and have not been awed, nor dismay-
ed, nor intimidated by the threats Of their en-
croachments. stood there, in conjunction
with patriotic spirits, sounding the tocsn of a
larm that +" the citadel of liberty is encroached
upon"
If | wanted power, or If | wanted to per-
petuate my present power and that of those a
round me, how easy it would have been for me
to have laid hold of the power that misplaced
in my hands with the bill called your " Freed
mems Bureau" Elaughter;] and thearny placed
at my discretion, | could have remained at the
Capital, with fifty or sixty millions Of an APP
preparation, and the machinery to be worked
by my own hands, my satraps and dependents
in every township and every district in the u
nited States, and with the " Civil Rights Bill
as an auxiliary, laughter | could have pro-
claimed myself dictator. My pride and pleas
ure are If harc any, to retain and hold po-
sition Which kceps and sustains the power in
the hands of the people. 1t is upon, the PEG
pie have always relied, i is upon them that
| now rely.
A VorcE.-They won't disappoint you, Ell
ther Applause.
Irepeat, further that neither the taunts nor
the ieers of Congress, nor subsidized, calum-
mating press can drive me from it." Cheers
Death OF John c. Rutherford.