Year: 1865

/


preserved it must be on the principle Of


fraternity. A State cannot go out Of the


Union, and, therefore, none of them hsving


gone out, We must deal with the question


of restoration and reconstruction. He sus-
| pected that he was better State rightsf


man than some of these now here. He al


ways thought that slavery could not be sus-


tanned outside of the constitution of the


United States, and that wherever the ex-


pertinent was made it would be lost.


Whether it could or could not, he was for


the Union, and if slavery set itself up to


control the Government, the Governments


must triumph and slavery perish. Tho in


stitutiOn Ofslsvsry made the issue and we


might as well meet it like wise and pa


triotic men institutions must be subordin-


ate to the Government, and as slavery,


had given way, he could not, if he would,
restore it to its former position. Knowing


that some whom she now addressed look
on him as great peoples man and radi-
cal, but however unpleasant it might be to
them, he had no hesitation in saying that


before he entered this subject to monopo-
lie and perpetuate and entail. For this be
used to be denounced as demagogue. We
had had a monopoly in the South in slaves,
though he had held slaves and had never
sold one. From Magma Charta we had de-
rived our ideas Sffreedom of speech, liberty
of the press, and that private property
should not be taken for public uses
without just compensation. He had
these notions Of freedom. His mind was
therefore, opposed to class legislation. Be-
ing proyidentially brought to his present
condition, he intended to exert the power
and influence of the Government so as to
place in power the popular psrty of this
nation. He proceeded on the principle
that the great masses are not the mush-
rooms about a atump which wet weather
supplied. He believed that this nation
was sent on great mission, to afford an
example of freedom and substantial happi- !
ness TO all the powers of tho earth. The |
Constitution Of the United States, in speak
ing of persons to be chosen as Represents
tives in Congress, says that the electors in
each State shall have the qualifications re-
quisite for the electors of the most numor-
GUS branch of the State legislature. Here
we find q resting place. This was the point |
at which the rebellion commenced. All
the States were in the Union, moving in
harmony, but portion of them rebelled
and, to some extent, paralyzed the opera
tions of this Government. There is Con-
stitutional obligation resting on the United
States Government to put down rebellion,
suppress insurreetiOn and repel invasion.
The slaves went into the war as slaves aHd
came out Ireemon of color. The friction of
the rebellion has rubbed out the nature and
character of slavery. The loyal men who
were compelled to bow and submit to the
rebellion should, now that the rebellion is
ended, stand equal to loyal men every
where. Hence the wish for restoration and
this trying to get back the States to the
point at which they formerly moved in
perfect harmony. He did not intend to
serve any particular clique or interest,
he would say TO the delegation that
slavery is gone as an institution. There
was no hopes that the people of
South Carolina would be admitted to the
Senate or House of Representatives, until
they had afforded evidence by their con-
duct of this truth. The policy now is
-avt7-ty-.-vsssIu- st--.------- ~ --~-----
--1-ea----sl----.l;susry style but by the
people.


While the war has emancipated slavery
it has also emaneipated large number of |
white men. He would talk plain, as the |
delegation had said they desired him to do
He could go TO gentlemen who had owned |
fifty or one hundred slaves snd who did |
not care as much for the poor white man as
they did for the negro. Those who own |
land have the capital to employ help,
and, therefore, some of our Northern
friends grieVed, when they living afar off |
think they can exercise a greater control |
over the freedmen than Southern men who
have been reared where the institution of |
slavery prevailed.


Now, hedid not want the late shareholders
to control negro votes sgaisst white men.
Let each State judge of the depository of
its own political power. He was for eman-
cpatiOn. He was for emancipating the |
white man as well as the black.


Mr.. Holmes asked: Is not that already
accomplished


The President replied that he did not
think the question fully settled. The ques-
tion as to whether the black man shall be
engrafted in the Constitution will besettled |
as we go along. He would not disguise
the fact that while no had been prosecuted
and denounced atthe South as a traitor, he
loved tho great mass of the Southern peo-
pie. He opposed the rebellion at its break
ing out, and fought il everywhere, and
now wanted the principles of the Govern
ment carried out and maintained.


Mr.. Holmes interrupted by saying: We
want to get back to the same position as
you describe, as we are without law. No
courts are open, and you have the power of
us.


The Presiden { replied that the govern
ment cannot go on unless it is based on
right. The people of South Carolina must
have convention and amend thoir consti-
tuition by abolIshing slavery. This must
be done in good faith, and the convention
or legislature must adopt the proposed
to the Constitution Of the
United States which prohibits and excludes
slavery everywhere.


One of the delegates said: We are most
L---- - ,.,aro |
than enough Of military despotism.


The President resuming said: As the
Executive he could only take the initiatory
steps to enable them to do the thing which
it was incumbent upon them to perform.


Another of the delegates remarked: It
was assumed in some parts Of this country
that in consequence of the rebellion, the
h haveforfsited their rights as
of the Confederscy and that if re-