Delaware Gazette

SPEECH OF POSTMASTER-GENERAL DENNISON AT THE LATE SERENADE.

Fellow-Citizens: I am not the less grateful to you for this call because of its being made on me in my official capacity and as a member of the Cabinet. And yet I am admonished by this fact, as well as the lateness of the hour, not to discuss many topics of public interest, on which, under other circumstances, I might be glad to express my views. I may say, however, that we have much reason to felicitate ourselves on the general condition of the country, in view of the perils through which we have so recently passed, and to congratulate ourselves on the promising future that awaits us. It is true that the restoration of the Southern States to all their constitutional relations to the General Government is not yet accomplished. So far as that duty or that consummation has devolved on the Executive branch of the Government, it has been fully performed. [Applause.] I cannot now recall any failure in this regard. With all these things you are familiar, and the country knows what has been done and what is doing. The close of the war brought with it the necessity of re-establishing the Federal authority in the insurgent States as rapidly as possible, and connected with it the duty of encouraging the re-organization of local governments in each of these States. To this subject, my fellow citizens, the attention of the President and the Cabinet was early directed, with what success I need not point out to you. I think I venture not too far in saying that history furnishes no parallel to such success. The Federal authority has been established, recognized, and obeyed in every State south of the Mason and Dixon's line. [Applause.] The local governments in those States have been reformed substantially to meet their changed condition resulting from the abolition of slavery, and are now being peaceably administered. Doubtless there are provisions in the Constitution of some of these States, as there are in the laws enacted by some of their Legislatures, that are not in consonance with the views of the moral and liberty-loving citizens of the nation; but we cannot reasonably doubt that these will give place to better provisions and better laws under the influence of the Federal Government and their own material necessities. But one thing remains, my fellow-citizens, to complete the work of restoration and to clothe the Southern States with all their constitutional privileges, and that is their representation in Congress. [Applause.] Upon this, with the loyal millions of the country, I regret, deeply regret, that there is any difference between the President and our friends in Congress. But you will have observed that this difference is not as to whether the Southern States shall be represented. Their loyalty is to be tested by the taking of the oath prescribed by the Constitution and the laws, required alike by the President and Congress—for every Senator and Representative from every State, North and South. The difference, then, is not as to by whom but as to when these States shall be represented. The whole theory of the Executive programme for the restoration of the Southern States looks to the early admission of loyal Senators and Representatives from these States, [Applause,] while the congressional programme, as far as it has been developed, looks to delay, conditioned on the adoption of certain amendments to the Constitution. Now, my friends, we must not overlook the fact that if this difference be not adjusted it may lead, in all probability, to unfortunate results, not only to the Southern States, but to all the country: and, may I not add, to the Union party in whose interests I learn your association has been organized. I need not tell you, or those who intimately know me, that it is in the continued ascendency of the Union party that I rely for the peace and prosperity of the country. [Applause.] I need not tell you that it was that party that in the field and at the ballot-box saved the nation from the assaults of armed rebellion. [Applause.] I will only add that it is to that party founded on the principles of the Baltimore Platform that I look to establish indestructibly on the basis of justice and constitutional equality the rights of all the States of our common country. [Applause.]

Let me refer one moment to the difference between the President and Congress. I want to deal frankly with you when I say I do not believe that these differences are irreconcilable. I do not believe there is any cause of separation between the President and the majority in Congress. [Applause.] Nay, if I am not greatly at fault, time and discussion are bringing the President and Congress rapidly together on the basis of a common platform of action. [Applause.] Certain it is they are not so wide apart as at the opening of Congress. Prominent Senators and Representatives argued

the insurgent States by the act of rebellion had committed suicide, and should be treated as conquered provinces or territories. Then it was argued by some distinguished Congressmen that the public safety imperatively demanded that this condition should be imposed upon them all; but those propositions are not now argued in Congress and I do not think that in the future we shall hear them debated. I see in this fact a steady and encouraging advance toward practical adjustment; and may we not reasonably hope these concessions were made with a view to securing reconciliation satisfactory and full, that shall be alike consistent with the loyalty and patriotism both of the Executive and of Congress. Every consideration of patriotism and wisdom favors such a result. The work of restoration calls for every concession authorized by the Constitution. I will not doubt that this concession will be made, and the results of the war by which the nation was preserved will be secured and perpetuated on the basis of peace and concord between the people of all sections of our country.

I have said much more than I expected, and return my thanks again for the friendly call, and now bid you a very good night.