Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-15
GEN. GRANTS TESTIMONY.
The following appeared in our Geographic
columns yesterday, as a special from Wash
inoton In the n Y. Herald

The following appeared in our Geographic
columns yesterday, as a special from Wash
ington to the n. Y. Herald
General Grant had an interview with the Pres
ident yesterday, and communicated to him the
result of his observations during his recent trip
through Virginia, North Carolina, South Caro-
lima and Georgia; he was everywhere respectfully
received by all. The majority OF the negroes IN
these States are IN comparative ldleneSs, ana
nearly all refuse to renew their contracts until
after Christmas, believing that general division
of property is to take place at that time.
The Southern men Of influence were outSpoken
in favor of complying with any demands the
President might consider necessary for their re
st0ratiOn Gen Grant believes that the people OF
the South almost unanimously desire rc-adinls
sion into the Union, and that their professions Of
future loyalty and good behavior are honest and
sincere.
Since the surrender of the Confederate ar
mics the Press of the North have had their
hired men going all through the Southern
States, returning information from the late
seat of rebellion Most Of these hired men
were generally "piclled up" and employed
for the reason that they could make great
deal out of very little, and furnish 'news"
Of their own manufacture when no other sort
could be obtained. To present something
that would suit their employers was their
first concern-to do il with as little trouble
TO themselves as possible, was their next.
We have seen the result 1t was to prejudice
the whole public mind of the North against
the South. "The South rebellious stilI'-
"Outrages upon negroes "Crueltie5 to the
oppressed Slavery not given up
etc, etc, constituted the flaming head
ings to Letters from the South" The
effect is seen in Congress. The member
from them District, f, would take up
his paper at breakfast, and read first, the
" Latestn news from the South" Horrors on
horrors accumulated from day to day; and
when he went TO Washington to take his
seat in Congress, he went with a budget of
bills and resolutions to correct everything
that he had read of, as being amiss. He ig-
nored the statements Of the Southern people
and their press. He could see no good ac-
complished by the measures adopted by the
President to restore the Union, and bring
the erratic States back into their constitu-
tional orbits. The calm and comprehensive
statements of the President in his message of
the fruits of his reconstruction policy were
scarcely listened to; and Immediately upon
the organization, he rises to exclude South
ern Representatives; to amend the consti-
tuition, so as TO protect the negro, and OPP
press the white man; and to keep the South
in a State of perpetual dependence and ser
vitude
Determined to have information and facts
from source, which should be accepted and
relied upon by the whole country, the Pres
ident requested Gen. Grant to make a tour
of observation that would decide the mat
ter. Gen. Grant visited Virginia; North
and South Carolina and Georgia; and upon
his return makes the report above given. |
The facts as he states them, correspond, in |
spirit and substance, with what has been
stated on all occasions by the press and peO-
pie of .he South. He says the negroes are
in comparative idlencss, and nearly all re-
fuse to renew their contracts for labor
for the next year, under the impression
hat there is to be general division ofprop-
erty at Chrstmas-and that the desires of
he people are almost unanimous for restora-
ion to the Union, and their professions of
uture loyalty and good behavior are hon
st and sincere. This vindication of the in
egrity and good faith of the Southern peo-
pie will be as gratifying to them, as it will
,e startling to their fanatical enemies.
Thenext question to arise is, whether Con
,ress will take this disinterested testimony
md act upon it in the broad interests of
,eace, or disregard it, and cling to the odds
nd ends of misrepresentation so industri-
'usly accumulated by factious press, and
0 readily believed by the Nor thern people.