The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1867-03-15
speech Of Governor Morton I'm
Washington.


ming, to Senator Morton, by the In
dianians resident in this city, was a
very pleasant and successful affair."
The Governor was happily introduc-
ed by Colonel Henry y. Washburne,
of the House. After thanking his
friends for the compliment they paid |
him, and referring with pride to the
record made by Indiana in war and
in peace, the Governor continued as
follows:
Congress has recently passed
great measure of reconstruction. 1t
is intended by that law TO extend
protection TO loyal men of the South,
black and white, by the strong arm
OF military power--to protecS them
against persecution aud murder, and
from being driven into exile. 1t also
provides means for the restoration Of
the rebel States TO the enjoyment OF
civil and political rights. 1t places
the ballot in the hands of the colored
man for his own protection, for the
protection Of the white Union men of
the South, for the protection Of the
Government, and for the reconstruc-
ton of society upon new and solid
basis, that shall endure forever.
do not pretend that it is perfect. /
took an objection to it from the first,
that is, that it failed to provide any
method for Initiating new State Gov
ernments, and trust that this de.
feet will yet be removed by o sup
Elementary bill, that shall provide
ways and means by which the new
organization shall he brought into
existence. And l hope the Presi-
dent will execute it in its letter and
spirit. trust, too, till such provis.
ION is made the people of those States
will set themselves about that work
voluntarily. The people of the South
nave done nothing for the last few
years but make terrible mistakes =
They made q fatal one when they
embarked in rebellion which cost
them nearly q half million of lives
and made their country desolate. 1t
was undertaken in the interest Of
slavery. 1t ended by destroying
slavery and elevating the slave to
political and civil equality with his
master. They made another mistake
at the end Of the war when the dc.
lnanded the immediate return to the
enjoyment Of civil and political pow.
er, just as If nothing had happened.
That was mistake, not only against
common justice, but against common
sense. And they made another mis-
take in supposing they could perse.
cute Union men into exile, and even
unto death, with impunity, and with
out being overtaken 18th the ven
geance of the people. They made
continuous mistakes in accepting the
pernicious counsels OF the peace mon
of the North. The people of Alex.
andria made q foolish mistake last
Tuesday, when they detied the law
OF Congress, and the national author.
ity, by refusing colored men the right
to vote, and the Southern people will
make a fearful mistake ii hey refuse
to accept the terms and conditions
provided by that bill. There may
he delay in reconstruction. The
good hour may be put off, but il will
not be definitely postponed. l have
faith in the destiny OF the nation. l
believe that all yet be well; that the
bleeding wounds OF our country will
yet be staunched: that in course OF
few years the reconstruction of So
ciety upon new basis, founded on
the equal rights of all, will be firmly
established that emigration from the
North and from Europe, carrying
with it capital, industry and skill,
and the great panacea, Time, will yet
restore a peaceful fraternal condition
of things between the North and
South, aud throughout the whole OF
this vast country. l cannot forbear
referring to the last time l stood
upon this verandah, and spoke to the
people. 1t was two years ago, on a
pleasant afternoon in the middle OF
March. President Lincoln was stand
ing at my side. Many of you will
perhaps remember the occasion. 1t
was three or four weeks before his |
untimely death, and it was afterward
that Booth, with folded arms and up.
turned face, leaned against that lamp |
post and gazed calmly upon the ian |
whose murder he had then contrived |
| am permitted to return here to |
night, and it it is permitted to disem-
bodied spirits to revisit the scene of
their trials, triumphs, and death, may
we not hope that this great spirit is
now lowering over the nation, and
will inspire all hearts with that love
OF liberty, justice, and truth, by which
he was animated throughout his life.
A = 4 .---