The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-30
A Radical Call Upon President J0hB-
SON to Surrender.
He Declines and Prepares to
Maintain His Position.
The Political Firm Of Seward, Weed 4 Ray.
mond Hoist the Johnson Flag.
&c. &c. &c.
Correspondence OF the Chicago Tribune Western Ksd-
cal 0rgan.l

the President since the passage OF Mr. Wilson's resoua
freely discussed and that their impressions his
future had not been very favorable Iconned
self TO this general statement as did not 90 tho tno
feel at liberty to go into particulars. ! per
mitted 10 give the slboned full version OF what took
place on the stated occasion.
Mr. Wilson, with whom frank straightforward
ton in all things is leading characteristic had bsau
anxious for some time to have an early free ard fuu
construction. He desired TO express bis own views
upon the policy pursued by the government towards
those tho Of the majority of the House " With me amo,
rnhness to the Executive, end If possible ciic. FROM
him clear definition Of the line OF action he mean. 10
pursue towards Congress-whcther he mean 70 recos
the right of Congress to determine upon the
Of reorganzng and restoring tho rebel States 70 The
Union according the views Of the majority OF both
Honses, whether his purpose to bring tho iniu
ence OF patronage and other agencies at his eomnand
10 bear in order TO endorsement and adoption
OF his plan Of reconstruction.
The passage Of Mr. Wilson'S resolution by vote tho.
roughly testing the sense OF the great majority of Inc
House upon the Presidents Southern policy, Thurs
day last, furnished proper occasion for tho mutual
explanation he desired, and hence he aonsht the
White House. in company with his colleague, Mr
Price, on the evening OF the same day. The Presi-
dent received his visitors very cordially and, upon
introductory remark Of Mr. Wilson announcing
the object Of their call invited them TO an unrosegved
expression Of opinions and suggestions Thereupop
Mr. Wilson proceeded to say substantially f0llcws
'MR PgEsiDEsT-Yon have no doubt, been informed
Of the resolution offered to-day in the House and OF he
vote upon IT, In explanation OF it wish 10 say that
neither myself the o; the majority yo;rg for IL
disposed to make any distinction between 1cnressse
and the other States lately engaged IN rebellion in pre-
ninary examination into their respective claims 10
presentation in Congress. IT the tine The joint
Committee Of Fifteen may and probably will, extend
the State priority Of consideration by taking
up and disposing OF s ease lrst and 20 ths Tho ma
ority will not oppose" Passing from this special 70
the general subject OF reeonstrcto az large Nr wilson
continued: ~ tia; there IN Congress,
styling themselves CONSERVATIVES, that claim % BIO
friends par excellence Now do not hesitate 20 avow
that am what is c0mnonly called a radical con-
tributed in my humble way, all could IL the
Of the party that paccdyou in power. Hence
the right 10 call myself the friend OF yoar admins
traton Myself and those acting with n Con-
gress all friendly 10 it, and desire i,s entire
success But we think, and with US our nst!tuenees
that your plan Of reconstruction that result is not
likely to be attained We hold at the Same time, that
thcre Is way nwhich it could be reached In our
opinion your efforts to reorgan re the rebel Slaves and
them 10 the Union after uninterrupted trial or
seven months have not proved successni 10 tho
extent required insure the future safety and
prosperity OF tho country. Congress- In pursuance OF
what IL considers it's solemn duty, now proposes,
after duo investigation al the whole subject 10 DEVISE
IL possible some better plan reorganization and
torafion The plan Congress will probably adopt viii
be TO admit such amendments to the constitution will
anees for the future The orty OF Congress- expect
and ask that while engaged In investigating the
whole subject Of reconstruction and devising some
new plan it may be left free 20 act as II Uay deem
BEST and that attempt be made by the Executive TO in
terfere with and influence its action by the distribution OF
patronage any other way If thus left free by you.
there be possible difficulty between the executive
you are disoosed TO interfere with Congress. by
patronage or otherwise, and force your peculiar
IDEAS and plans upon Congress and tho country, you
will meet with serious opposition by those mat ara
now the friends Of your administration and desire
sincerely TO mako it successful. The plan Congress
will probably adopt will not render necessary for
You to surrender any of your views u relation
reconstruction. Inasmuch a. under the constitution
of the United States you be asked approve the
resolutions or Congress submitting certain amendments
the constitution you viii not bo responsible tor our
action; but we will be responsible for u to our con
stituents, who called upon 10 determine Epop
the merits Of plan oc reconstruction. Hence
there will be occasion for serious differences
r4ah
branch Of the government SIMPLY lessce The
other do what ID consider rs duty. And 10; ne add
this the socaed conservatives OF ConsrcsT nc T,eD
that claim to DO your exclusive friends go with yoa
day because they think II Il TO their advantage 10 10 sos
but they will oppose you tomorrow u hoy sa nd hsi
IL Is TO their disadvantage 10 support yon. You VIII ind
in the end that the who differ srom you toaay from
sincere convictions and houest patriotic motives are
much reliable and trustworthy friends than these
tmescrversu
The President reply, stated that he was anxious to
avoid division among The friends Of his administration
In Congress that he would regret TO any difficulties
arise between them and the Executive. He then pro
ceeded to review at lensh bis policy OF reconsncton
lished speeches, and more lately In his Message but
said nothing that could be construed into an admission
Of its failure On the contrary, he seemed - be iully
persuaded OF It's present aud future success. Nor
did he say a word indicating an intention TO alb
stain from interference with Congress in its legislation
upon reconstruction He did say that he would in
terfere but neither did he commit himself To me OPP
posite line Of action However pressed by MT wilson ID
this direction he would not give the assurances desired
OF him. That he would have made formal disclaimer
Of purpose to NEEDLE with Congress, II he did not en-
terrain IT, may be fully presumed. And this WIS The i'm
precision by the tone and tenor OF his remarks upon
the minds Of his visitors.
The process OF forming an administration party Con-
gress with the conservative" members Of tho Union
majority in both houses nucleus, and no doubt the
outright opposition as contingent accession pfogresses
steadily Perhaps the most significant step yet taken IN
II Is the holding Of separate caucusee inis nas been
done once, at least, since the passage Of MT WscnS
OF the Presidents policy for the purpose Of devsins
somelmeans OF ensurng us better success IN Congress
ana hsa vaasa sssost T wilson's resolution
Much earnest feeling has been created among radical
members by the .nss ne rresaeno mac
Their appointments upon the recommendations Of Con.
sressen Al present The fact Of the existence of this
order was communicated by the chief OF department TO
some radical Congressman who had made request for
certain appointment But construction e given to
this Executive mandaevz: that support Of tho Exec
tive policy is TO be hereafter the price or patronage
From the New York Daily Times, Of the political hf
OF Seward, Weed and raymond
THE PRESIDENT AND coY0RHss-A HEhAHkAbLH
MovEuRST.
We have hoped that no serious conflict Of opinion
would occur between the President and Congress on the
subject q restoration S0a hsye bn Srs Ve Of the
Union, and tho sentiment OF the country mas DeeD 80
emphatic in support Of that policy that serious o,ne
statements, however published BY authority n the
Chicago Tribune are calculated to impair our confidence
Mr. Mr. Wilson, member Of Congress from Iowa, a, the
request OF Mr. Thaddcus Stevens, onered .ne reso'
luton Of which the latter naa gwen nouco d S"n
ton by the House Mr. Wilson sought and
obtained an interview with tho President Or
which he has made report published IN the cnicaGo
Tribune and copied In another column OF this mornns
Tnaes Mr. wilson, At that interview, assumed 20 speaS
on behalf Of the majority In Congress and no nIoimcu
the President that il was very desirable that no
conflict OF action should arise between snst1
the subject Of reconstruction that " could pe
provided the President would not press MS P-cuisr
views, but would accept tho action o. o.. Congress
as conclusive; but that unless no a,9 ", ae
nfw late
disposed was Sr wilson's LANGUAGE 70 the
President "to interfere with Congress oy pssrcnase
d ~ conntrv vo I'll, meet with serious oppositioi
By those that are the friends Of your sd@n wss
~ w,sr sas.ns ~ hcipc the friend OF the admins
trstion Is apparent nom the content he ; ssms
have aided 10 bring n.o power sno &c, .nv.so
v .,n,,n az, a. tho same time retain zoe