The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-07-18
INTERVIEW BETWEEN SENATOR
SUMNER AND THE PRESIDENT.

was substantially as follows -
"Good evening Dir President" said Senator
Sumner, last week, upon entering the Presi-
dents room in the White House
{ "Good evening Mr. Senator" replied the
President. please be seated for moment un-
til finish letter to an old friend"
The letter being finished, the President turn
ed to Mr. Sumner, when the latter said:-
"Mr President, l have called upon you for
the purpose of expressing to you the views of
our people on the subject of reconstruction
"Well, sir, replied the President.
Mr. Sumner commenced by saying, "Sr, your
North Carolina proclamation does not meet the
appreciation of the people, aud they will not
submit to have the great results Of the war thus
thrown away" +.
"What people are you representing, sir?"
asked Dir Johnson.
"The whole Northern people," said Mr. Sum-
ner.
II apprehend you will find you but represent
small portion of the Northern people," replied
Mr. Johuson.
"Then," said Sumner, "we must take your
North Carolina proclamation as an indication of
your policy, must wei"
"Yes, sir" replied the President.
'Then, Sill" said Sumner, "you do not intend
to enfranchse the black man?'
81 have nothing to do with the subject; that
exclusively belongs to the States. You certain
ly would think it usurpation on my part if
attempted to interfere 10 fixing the qualifications
of electors in Massachusetts"
"Bat," replied Sumner, Massachusetts has
always been "a loyal State
'sJbat may be-" replied the President, "but
the loyal men of the South have made untold
sacrifices for their Union sentiments, while Mas
sachusetts has made hundreds of millions out Of
her byalty; and it would be poor return for
SoutherD adherence to the governmsnt If the
latter should, in violation of the constitution,
thrust upon them local laws in opposition to-
their wishes" u...s.
At this reply of the President, Mr. Sumner
became impatient and irritable, and rejoined by
saying, 81 am sorry to see you evincing so little
sympathy with that element that placed you in
power"
At this the color flashed to the Presidents
face, and he added emphaticany, "1ou and |
might as we'll understand each other now as any
other time You are aware, sir, [ have no re-
spect for secessionst; [ still have greater de-
testation and contempt for fanatic
Good evening"" said Sumner, and left in
huff
Two hundred and eighty petitions for pardon
we're filed on the 9th, among them the applica-
ton Of Messrs. Ashe, Ramsey and Mcdowell,
late members of the Confederate Congress. One
hundred and eighty-nine pardons were granted
all to persons coming under the twenty thoI
sand dollar exception. One hundred and t
teen are from North Carolina, aud forty
Virginia.
Governor Vance has been released &
Old Capitol Prison on parole, and has
to North Carolina.
Among the applications for
from Henry S. Foote, ex-membef
Senate, ane ex-Unted States S,
journing at Montreal, Canada,
his application is dated.
A letter has been receivel
Custom House addressed
ment by our Consul at
that the Russian plagui :
more rapidly than is,
advising that all ear2
or Turkish ports
landing. The dis
that which visite
WHEAT
sold in Baltinl
Whig says that
will probably nos
must be fine to CO
Northern correspos
Carolina Railroad has
control of its directors.
tive preparations are being
same, both to Columbia as We