Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1865-06-26

GEN. GRANT IN PHILADELPHIA.
The Sslth Caroline Delegation
has a Interview viii he
President.
JEFF DAVIS CONDITION,


The South Carolina delegation had anoth-
er interview with the President to-day.
Now he did not want the shareholders to
control the negro votes against white men
let each State judge of the depository of its
own political power. He was for emancipa-
ton the white man ~ well as the black.
Mr.. Holmes asked as not that altogether
impossible :" The President replied that he
did not think the question fully settled as to
whether the blackman shall he cngrafted in
the Constitution it will be settled as We g.
along he would not disguise the fact that
while he had been prosecuted and denounc-
ed ut tine South AZ a traitor, he loved the
great mass Of the Southern people; I've OPP
posed the rebellion At its breaking out
fought IL everywhere, and now wanted the
| principles OF the Government carried out
mi maintained.
Mr.. Holmes interrupted by saying, We
| want to get back to the same position rs you
desire, rs We are without law, no courts are
open, and you have the power 10 admit Us.
The President replied that the Govern
| ment cannot go on unless 1t Is based on
| Right. The people Of South Carolina must
have a Convention and amend their Consti-
tuition by abolishing slavery, and this must
| e done in good faith and the Convention or
Legislature must adopt the proposed amend
Iutut 10 inc (Jii1t.itiiDu Va INC SHlttI
! States which prohibits aud excludes slavery
every where.
one of the delegates said We are most
| anxious for civil rule, for We have had more
| than enough of military despotism.'
The President, resulnIng said, that as
!! the Executive he could only take the in
| latorv step To enable them TO do the thing
| which it was incumbent on them To perform.
Another If the Delegates remarked that 1t
| was assumed in some parts OF This country
| that in consequence of the rebellion, the
Southern States had forfeited Their tights rs
! members of the coniederacy, ami that II re-
stored it could be only on certain conditions,
one of which was that slavery should be
abolished. This could be lone only through
"A convention.
The President responded that the fraction
of the rebellion had rubbed slavery out,
but it would be better to declare it so by law.
As one OF the delegates had just remarked
that the Constitution Of South Carolina did
not establish slavery, it were better 10 III
sert "a clause antagonistic to slavery.
Judge Frost said, substantially, that the
object Of our prayer Is the appointment OF a
Governor. The State of South Carolina
will accept these conditions IN order that law
and order may be restored, and that enter |
prise and industry may be directed to use
iul ends. We desire restoration as soon as
possible. II is the part OF wisdom to make
the best Of circumstances Certain dcduc-
lions have been dispclled BY the revolution,
among them that of slavery as an element
of political strength, merit and power. 1t
is very certain that the old notion of State
Rights. in the maintenance of which those
who made the rebellion in South Carolina
las ceased to exist. Another delusiOn, viz
that cotton is king, has likewise vanished in
mist. We are to come back with these
notions dispellcd, and with a new system OF
labor. The people of South Carolina will
cordially cooperate with the Government
in making that labor effective, and elevating
| the negro as much as they an. 1t is, how
| ever, more a work of time than the labor of
| enthusiasm and fanaticisln. The people of
| South Carolina nave the largest interest in
| the question. We are willing to cooperate
| for selfish, if for no other motives. We have
taken the liberty, encouraged by your kind
| ness, to throw out suggestions by which the
| policy of the Government will be most sure
~ and cflectually subserved. l repeat that
the new system of labor is to be Inaugural
ted by sober, sound and discreet judgment,
which the negrocsare ignoring. Their minds
are so much Influenced with liberty they are
apt to tontound liberty with license. Their
great idea is a fear that freedom consists OF
exemption from work. We will take in
good faith and carry out your intentions
with zeal and hope for the best, and o
will rejoice more than the people of the
South. If emancipation prove successful
freedom to the slave is freedom to the mas
ter. Provident you can supply n motive for
industry the people Of South Carolina, from
their fidelity to honor, nave submitted to
great sacrifices they endured all fear. We
are defeated and conquered by the North,
who are too strong for us. The same good
faith which once animated them III their
contest will moi be found wanting in tlieif
pledge of loyal support to the Government.
There may grow out Of this a blessing which
YOU have not foresccn and some pleasing
rays Row illumine the horizon. l suppose
the oath of allegiance will be taken with as
much unanimity III South Carolina as any
where else, and we will submit to the con
dition of things which Providence has as
signed. We cheeriully accept the measures
recommended ana would thank you TO nom
mate in your Convention Il Governor TO
carry out the wishes you have expressed.
The President asked the delegates whom
they would prefer as Provisional Governor,
They replied that they had a list of live men :
Aiken, McClahany, Boyce, Col. Morins and
i. I. Perry. All of them were spoken of
as good men. but who had been more or
less involved in the rebellion. Mr.. Perry
was a District Judge in the Coniederacy
until a few weeks before it collapsed, and is
said to have always been a good Union man
and q gentleman Of strict integrity, and
therefore would respect him, and he could
not iail to be accepted. The President said
he knew Benz. Perry well, having served
with him in Congress. There was no spirit
Of vengeance or vindictiveness on the part
of the Government, whose only desire was
to restore the relations which formerly ex-
listed. He was not prepared to give them
an answer as to whom he should appoint,
but at the Cabinet meeting next Tuesday he
would be able to report.
The delegation seemed to be much pleased
with the proceedings and fingered for some
time to Individually converse with the Presi-
DENT