Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-02-10

representation, / will make a single remark:
The great principle OF representation IL Inhe-
elements OF this Government; but the repre-
sentative should have the qualifications re
quired by the Constitution of the United States;
and those qualifications fitting him TO take his
seat in either OF the deIberative bodies most
uuquestionably imply that he who comes as 4
representative is loyal, devoted to the Union
and the Constitution of the United States. III
the people, in good faith, select such repre-
sentative, then he ought to be received.
must be permitted to say, further, that IN
going into this rebellion or insurrection against
the Government of the United states we have
erred, and that in returning and renewing our
allegiance, and resumng our relations with
positions and places ought to be conferred only
upon those who are truly loyal. L would even
add in this connection that If there Were only
$3.50 loyal men, or a sufficient number to take
charge Of the political machinery OF State,
that five thousand men are entitled TO do so, If
all the rest were otherwise. i look upon il as
being fundamentals compliance with the
principles and doctrines laid down here to-
day in the resolutions and the address that ac-
companied them-that loyal men only should
be permitted TO occupy public positions. Con-
fning these positions strictly TO such, feel
that the day is not far distant (and speak con-
fdingly in reference to the great mass of the
American peoplel when the people will de-
teImine that this Union shall be made whole,
and the great principle OF representation in the
Councils of the nation shall be ACKNOWLEDGED.
Representation is a fundamental principle in
out representation was one of the principles
that carried us through the Revolution, and
those great principles held good again; and If
we but perform our duty in adhering TO the
spirit expressed in the resolutions you have
presented. the American people will re-assert
and uphold those great principles upon which
the Government was Inaugurated. 1t can be
done. 1t will be done; and L think at no very
distant day, If the effort is fairly and fully
made, with forbearance, prudence, and discre-
ton.
/ would further say in this connection, that
il seems to me that the best policy that could
be adopted at present, would be restoration
Of these States upon correct principles.
We are not without our foreign difficulties;
but the very moment that il can be announced
that the union of these States is again complete,
and that we have resumed our career OF pros
perity and power, that very instant will these
foreign difficulties be settled. For there Is not
power or powers upon the earth that would
care TO have controversy, TO say nothing Of
an interruption ofrelatIons,with us as a united
nation.
1 will furthermore state that If this was
done, that which must in short time be
the currency of the United States-which is
thought by some to be inflated to a very
great extent-when we are restored, the area
for the circulation enlarged, the number of
persons increased, through whose hands il is
TO pass, the amount, or the quantity of COM
meTce enlarged and increased in which it is to
be employed, II will begin to approximate to
what we all desire,-to a specie standard
This is not all. i look upon the restoration
of these States as being essential to all our
former position, and peace and order once
more caused TO reign throughout the land all
the industrial pursuits renewed, all the ayoca-
tons of peace again resumed, the day would
not be very far distant when we could put into
the commerce of the world two hundred and
fifty or three hundred millions worth of cotton
and tobacco and the various other products
of the Southern States which would consti-
tute in part basis for this currency which,
repeat, it is thought by some TO be too much
inflated. Instead of the cone being inverted
with the large end and the small m
Just as we progress in this way, would the po-
siton be reversed, and the currency of the
country be made to rest upon sounder and
more enduring basis, and thus the interest, not
only OF one portion, but OF the whole country
be advanced
know nothing further that could saw as
expressive OF my feelings on this occasion,
which i assure You are not affected, than that
l shall continue in the same line OF policy that
have pursued from the commencement of the
rebellion mp TO the present period.
My effort has been to preserve the union of
these States. 1 have never for one moment en-
tertained the doctrine that State could with
draw from the Union Of its own will. The
attempt was made; it has failed. Ha wing from
the first entertained the opinion i have lust
expressed, OF course cannot now assume the
position that the relation of the State with the
General Government has been dissolved by
reason of the rebellion. i cannot be forced into
that position. Hence when the States and the
Constitution, 1 shall be in favor of their re.
Stunning their former relations and position 10
the Governments and will insist upon it,
You know as well as i do, land do not
intend TO be personal in what am going to
say,) that before the commencement and since
the commencement OF this gigantic struggle
lions Of the country, that there were extreme
men South and extreme men North.
To make use OF homely figure, (which
sometimes is as good as any other, even in the
illustration Of great and important questions,)
IL has been hammer at one end of the line, and
anvil al the other; and this great Government
has been kept upon the anvil, and hammered
upon before the rebellion, and since the rebellion:
and there seems to be disposition TO continue
the hammering until it (the Governmentl 10
destroyed. opposed il then; / oppose IL now
The struggle has been made, and the Gov.
eminent, in the assertion Of its power and the
maintenance of the principles OF the Constitu-
ton, swung round to one extreme, and with
the strong arm Of physical power, put the
rebelllen down. Now, as we swing along
round the circle ofthe Union, with a fixed, un-
altera6ie denomination to stand by IT, if we find
the counterpart or the duplicate of the same
spirit existing anywhere, all manifesting il
who are in the way, must get out of il, as the
government must move on with an mistaken
front and rest on q firm and immo veable basis.
am gratified to meet You here TO day. Let
us, in good faith, and in the fullness of our
hearts, and ON the principles you have enun-
clated here, of fealty to the Constitution, and
desire for the preservation of this Govern
ment with our faces turned heavenward,
swear by our Gods affairs that all shall sink
into the dust together but what this glorious
Union shall be preserved
am gratified to find that the loyal people Of
the country have proper view Of this whole
thing. and are developing il.
Now that the rebellion has failed, let us de-
termine to preserve the Government in its orr.
ginal purity and perfection. / thank you,
gentlemen, for the compliment you have paid
me, and respond most cordially TO what has
been said in your resolutions and address /
trust in God that the time will come when we
can meet under more favorable auspices.
Mr.. Baldwin said in order that the President
might feel assured that the delegates present
presented the sentiments Of the whole State of
Virginia, he would introduce them Individual.
ly, designating the particular section from
which they came.
They We're then severally introduced, and
after the President had shaken the hand Of each
he again took occasion to express his gratifica-
uon at meeting them, and reiterated what he
stated in an address to the Montana delegation
that he was not candidate for re election, and
had no other object or desire but the restoration
OF the Union in its original purity.