Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-02
THE PaEsIDExr AND THE CoLoRED
DELEGATES.


The Washington correspondent of the
Worcester Mass Spy, an organ of Fred.
Douglass & Co, givesgthe following version
of the recent interview between the Presi-
dent and the cslored delegates:
On being admitted. however which was between
twelve and one, Mr.. johnson advanced with ap-
parent cordaiity. and extending his hand. Mr..
Downing.then introduced the delegates and pro-
ceeded TO address the President. who stood by the
Downing had finished Mr.. Douglass spoke briefly.
There was then pause, the delegation expecting
NJ. Whipper, Of PHILADELPHIA, 70 speak 4, he ne
been said expressed fully their hopes and wishes,
and the delegation respectfully hoped the Presi-
dent would make favorable response"
The President seemed slightly confessed. placing
his foot on a chair, hesitating little as he com
menccd his rambling reply. As he proceeded,
reaching the poin: where he spoke OF those who
liberty. etc.. his face begun TO glow, his manner
grew animated. and between the pauses OF his
interectionary sentences, he spit furiousy on the
hoor. as If he was thus showing has opinion 81
those Radicals at whom his sarcasm was aimed.
The reply proceeded, and as it did the Presidents
manner lost that cordial look which it wore when
the delegates entered, Both Mr.. Downing and
Mr.. Douglass tried without any design on the part
of either, to catch and fix Mr.. yohnson's eye on
themselves. They were the spokesmen, and con-
sequently desired to make any reply that might
johnson IN a marked manner avoided this, and
at last fixed his cwn glance upon the Mississippi
delegate, If he desired through him 20 affect the
balance
As the President proceeded. Douglass or Downing
several times sought to make some answering re-
ply or remark. The President, between the pauses
Of his talking and splitting, seemed to give them
an opportunity-eycn to invite reply. But before
n sentence could be finished, as soon as the point
aimed at was visible the President would inter
rupt abruptly, and go on with his talk. of course
il was impossible to report these broken sent
ences. Mr.. johnson showed uneasiness at the in
terruptions, and evineed strong desire not to
allow any discussion. The remark about the slave
despising the poor white man was directly ad-
dressed TO Douglass. There is but ono criticism
upon il, and it is that Mr.. johnson showed a
strange ignorance of human nature in thus adj
dressing this distinguished man. When the Pres
ident said " let us draw near and discuss this
question" Mr.. Douglass. standing in his simple
manhood, and intellectual dignity. the central fig
of the group, fully the Presidents equal in all
that constitutes noble character, took him at his
word and advanced toward the President. The
latter drew back in a repelapt manner When
the delegation was leaving, Mr.. Douglass said,
The President sends US to the people, and TO the
people we CO." The Star of this city, in its re-
port, made Mr.. Douglass say in closing, land we
go to make the people right" The difference is
important. because the latter comedies that the
people are not already right. which the delegates
do not admit.