Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-02-07

ing rs this interview. We did not come
here expecting 70 argue this question
with your Excelleney, but simply 20
state what were our views and wishes Ia the
premises. IL we were disposed 70 argue the
question, and you would grant rs permission.
OF course we would endeayor to cont-ovsrt
some of the positions you have as umed.
Mr.. Downing.-Mr. Douglas, take IL that
the President by his kind expressions, and
his very full treatmect Of tbs subject, must
have contemplated some reply 10 the views
which he has ad yanced, and in which we cer-
tainly do not concur, and say this with due
respect.
The President-I thought You expected ms
to indicate TO some extent what my views were
on the subjects touched upon in your stale
ment
Mr.. Downing.-we are very happy, indeed.
Mr.. Douglas.-If the President will allow
me, L would like to say one or two words in re-
The PRESIDENTIAL have done is simply 10
indicate what my views are as / supposed you
expected me TO, from your address.
the very thing thai your E1ceilency would
avoid in the Southern States can only be
avoided by the very measure that we propose.
because perceive the President has taken
strong ground favor OF a given policy,
and distressing my own ability 10 remove any
Of those impressions which he has ex-
pressed, L thought we had better end
the interview with the sxpression 81
thanks. addressing the President) But u
would like to say a word or two in regard -
that one matter of the enfranchisementOf -
blacks as a means of preventing the very thzng
which your Excellency seems TO apprehend-
that is a conflict of races.
The President-I repeat 1 merely wanted
10 indicate m views in reply TO your addreea,
and not 10 enter into any general controversy,
as L could not well DO so under the e!rcum-
stances
Your statement was a very frank one, and
thought it was due to you TO meet 1t IN the same
spirit.
Mr.. Douglas.-Thank you, sir.
The PRESIDENT think You will find, so far
as the South is concerned, that if you will all
inculcate there the idea in connection with the
one you urge, that the colored people can live
and advance in civilization 70 better advan-
taee elsewhere than crowded right down there
in the South. ii would be better for them
Mr.. Douglas-But the masters have the max
ing of the laws, and we cannot get away from
The President.-what prevents your
Mr.. Douglas.-We have not the simple right
OF locomotion through the Southern States
now.
The President-why not, the Government
furnishes you with every facility.
Mr.. Douglas.-There are six days In the year
that the negro is free in the South now, and has
master then decides for him where he shall 20,
where he shall work, how much he shall
work-in fact he is Invested OF all political
power. He is absolutely in the hands OF those
men.
The President-If the master now controls
him or his action, would he not control him in
his yotel
Mr.. Douglas.-Let the negro once under
stand that he has an organic right TO vote, and
be Will raise up party in the Southern States
among the poor, who will rally with him.
There is this conflict that you speak Of bet ween
the wealthy Shareholder and the poor man.
The President.-You touch right upon the
point there. There is this conflict, and hence
suggest emigration. If he cannot get employ
ment in the South, he has IL in his power to 20
where he can get IL.
In parting, the President said that they were
both DESTROYS OF accomplishing the same ends,
but proposed TO do so by folio wing different
roads.
Mr.. Douglas. on turning to leave, remarked
TO his fellow delegates: THE President sends
us to the people, and we Will have 10 go and
get the people right"
The President.-Ies, sir; i have great faith
in the people / believe they will do what is
right.