Year: 1866

of this duty. Yon approached it will


that single hearted devotion to tn,


Union which has characterized you


whole public life, devotion which


has never faltered, although it ha


subjected you to unjust misrepresen


tDns and painful sacrifices. Yo,


sought the principles of your public


policy in the Constitution, and tn,


sanctions of your public conduct il


the approval Of your own conscience


and the favor of the people. You


formed plan of administration which


needed only the harmonious co-opera


tien of all departments Of the Gov.


erment to become effectual in the
complete restoration of tho Union.l-


That cooperation was wanting on the


part of department Of the Govern.


nientwhich, under the Constitution


should truly represent the popular


vii, but which has utterly failed to
doanything to answer the demand OF


TIN people for restored Union and
ar abiding peace. 1t would be an
ide afectation if, upon the journey
which brings you before the people OF
SC many States, we were to welcome


yu simply as the Chief Magistrate,
AID to forget that you are the Chief
Magistrate at issue with Congress up
On the most serious and important
question of our public affairs. The
p,ople will not keep silence upon this
issie. They will hail your presence
among them because Of the opportu-
nit it affords them to express that
approval which is not needed to sus-
tain your courage, but which will
cher and strengthen you in the course
yoi are pursuing with the resolution
AMI perseverance, which belong TO true
AMI intrepid craftsmanship. The peo-
pl, see, on the one hand, that the pol
icy of Congress is founded upon prin-
ciIles which find no warrant in the
Constitution; that this policy, if carried
ou, will make the blood and treasure
larisbed in the war a vain and useless
sacrifice, close the door of reconcilia-
tidn between the North and the South,
pTpetuate disunion, destroy the sys-
ten of government which the Consti-
tuition established, and substitute CEN
tralized despotism in the place of reg
ulated liberty. They sec, on the other
hand, that your policy, in respect to
the restoration of the States, is con-
sistont with the letter and spirit of the
Constitution; justified by the solemn
declarations of all departments of the
Government in regard to the purposes
of the war, and will give us back a
Union of equal States, and renew the
fraternity of the people. We rejoice
that you adhere TO this policy with the
SdtsfSe dsncet 9Taf shyhioh the aqe2sl9gs asi
pronounce their verdict upon this
great issue, will so decide it as to Sc
cure to themselves and their posterity
the blessings of peace, union and lib
erty.


In his enumeration of the degrees
of honor due to men who have rem
dered great services to mankind, Lord
Bacon assigns the highest place to the
founders Of empires, But history in
structs us that the later generations,
who have long enjoyed the happiness
and prosperity which established in
stitutions bestow, award honor and re-
nown equal TO that Of the founders,
to the men who become the saviors of
tho State. Already the voice of the
people places side by side with tho he
roes Of the Revolution the leaders
whose valor aud patriotism have pre-
served the Republic. We, who have
seen the Union emerge victorious from
the storm of civil war, and our pos
terity, Who will be born into the full
inheritance of glory and liberty which
the Union has created, will not with
hold this recompense OF honor from
any who, by distinguished civic SER
vices, contribute to the salvation of
the Union. May it be the felicity and
triumph of your career, to see the wis
dom of your policy yindicated against
all opposition, and all your efforts
crowned with complete success. Then,
ascending from its ancient foundations
amid the acclamations of grateful
and reunited people, the temple of our
Union shall be robuilded, glorious in
its recovered beauty, and enduring as
the continent.


THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.


Fellow -oitizens--I tender to you my