The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-12-28
Views Of the Prcsidcnt-Uis Views on
thc Amcndmcnf-Hc Thinks "a will
become Part OF the Constitution.

Srecia dispatch 10 the PittsburE Commercial
WASHINGTON, December 2?.-Represen.
tstivc Eggleston, OF Ohio, had long inter.
view with the President to-day. lie snent
more than an hour in conversation with
him on general matters, reconstruction
among the rest. After talking of tho 70.
suits of the late elections. Mr.. EOcles,on
asked the President if he did not think Il
would have been better for him "a have
surrendered his views and opinions in favor
Of the popular verdicts In October and
November, and not to have pressed his
policy IN lis last message.
The President replied 10 this that no did
not think he had shown a further opposi-
t'on'to the popular verdict than merely to
express his opinions to Congress ON what
he thought would but conducc to the wei
fare of the country. He thought the Ra.
deal party had made great mistake in
spending so much time as they did last
session before announcing upon what terms
they would agree to rcidmit the southern
States, and what great damage TO the pub
lie welfare had been the result Of this de
lay, and now that Congress had passed the
amendment, and il was about 10 become
part of the Constitution, he could see no
guarantee that the southern States would
be admitted even after the ratification had
been fully accomplished.
Mr.. Egglcston replied to this that there
was an implied guarantee in the speedy
admission Of Tennessee after the Legis-
laturc had ratified the amendment, and
that he thought the party with which he
acted would be nearly unit on the
admission OF others of the late rebel States
e. soon as they had complied with the con-
ditionS eXactcd from Tennessee.
The President said he hoped this would
prove TO be true, but he feared there
would be strong opposition to such policy
from the extreme Radicals.
Mr.. EgglestOn said he felt little doubt on
the subject. There might be some opposi.
tion from Sumner and Stevens, but it was
good characteristic Of Stevens that II h.
couldn't get what he wanted, he would
take the best he could get.
"YeS," said the President, "that's true
Of Stevens, and l always liked him for it.
A practical man, but he seems TO Inc to be
working in the wrong direction" The
President repeated the hope that the South
would be admitted TO representation on
the adoption of the amendment. 1t was
useless now, he said, 10 discuss the pro
priety or improperly Of the conditions en-.
braccd in that measure. 1t had been
agreed upon, and all he could now ask was
the guarantee that reconstruction upon
that basis should be faithfully kept by the
party that had offered il. He expressed
regret and surprise that so few members
Of Congress had called upon him since the
opening of the session.
Mr.. Egglcston replied that he did not
think members OF Congress should carry
their antagoniSm so far as that. IIe-be-
licved in fighting out old political battles
before the people, and thought that oppo-
sition to the views OF the President ought
not to deter members from comforting with
the Executive or consulting on business
matters.
The President concurrcd in this view
exactly. lie would like to have men Of all
political compilations call on him and tell
him what they wanted. No harm could
possibly come Of such an interchange of
views, and a great deal Of good might come
Of il; and now that the quarrel had been
settled, as most people thought, there was
certainly no reason why senators and re-
representatives. should sedulously so avoid
him.
The conversation was concluded by Mr..
EgglcSton inQuiriug what about the Mexican
question. The President replied that it
didn't look as fayorably rs he had hoped to
have it, but still he thought all would be
we'll