The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-08-09
From the Boston Commercial
A Conversation with President
Johnson.

| JOHNSON.
A gentleman who had free converse
tion with President Johnson, few days
since, informs us that he found him hope
full, in good spirits, and unhesitating in
the expression of his views He does not
anticipate anything like q Democratic
majority in the next House of Represen-
tatives, though the number of represen-
tatives of that party will doubtless be
increased. But he does count confidently
on the return of majority of moderate
men, who will be prepared to deal with
the South as all honorable and high
minded nations deal with their antago-
nists, after having beaten and disarmed
them And in districts and States where
the Republican party fail to nominate
such men, he thinks Democratic candi-
dates will be likely, in majority of cases,
to be elected over Radicals.
The President is unhesitatingly Of the
opinion that the only safety of the nation
lies in generous and expansive plan of
the more difficult will it be to bring the
North and South into harmony. If the
suspicious, tyranical policy is too long
pursued, the population of the South will
become as hostile in time to the North as
the people of Ireland are toward England,
adding to this evil of hereditary and
growing animosity an ability for revenge
a hundred fold greater than Ireland pos
Sesses.
In regard to the blacks, the President
says they will find work, and for many
years to come probably better remunera-
tion than any other class of agricultural
laborers in the country. The competition
of capitalists and land owners will insure
good treatment, and good pay from the
planters. That there will be much disor-
der is TO be expected; but there will be
no more than there would be at the North
were the number of black laborers sufi-,
GENTLY numerous to enter into serious RI
vary with white laborers.
The President is confident that nothing
can be safely and permanently done in
regard to restoring the currency, dimin-
ishing taxation and establishing the pros
perity of the country on sound and en-
during basis until Representatives from
all the States are present in Congress.
The idea of legislating for one-third of
the population of the country, and pass
ing constitutional amendments without
allowing them any voice in the matter, or
paying any attention to their wishes, is
full Of danger to the future peace and
welfare of the nation. They cannot be
treated as subjugated people or as vas
sal colonies without germ of hatred be-
ing introduced, which will some day or
other, though the time may be distant,
develop mischief of the most serious char
acter
With regard to the basis of representa-
ton, he denounces this as mere bug
bear. 1t cannot, and will not, be perma.
nently settled until all the States are rep
resented, and no increase in the number
of representatives in consequence of the
emancipation of the slaves can in any
event occur until the census of 1870 is
taken, until which time, of course, the
three-ffth provision is in force under the
last census There is, therefore, ample
time to settle this matter between now
and 1870, and it is unwise to agitate it
until other matters, which cannot be de-
layed, are settled.
The President does not admit that he
has been inconsistent. He is as much
opposed to treason and traitors as ever
he was, and for furnishing them severely.
But there are no treason and no traitors
now The enemy has fully and fairly
surrendered and is powerless, and a foe
thus situated should be magnanimously
treated. A generous and self-reliant war
rior always restores his disarmed enemy
his sword, and trusts his parole of honor.
The idea of muzzling the press and ty-
ing the tongues of the people of the
South, after the manner of the suspicious
tyrants and the Holy Inquisition of the
Old World he denounces as absurd. A
people should be allowed to grumble who
have suffered so much, and they would
be unworthy the name of men if they
did not respect the brave officers who
have suffered with them, and honor the
memory of their gallant dead who sleep
on hundred battle-felds around their
homes.
REMEDY FOR SNAKE BITEs.-A great
many persons having died from the effects
of snake bites lately, we deem it an act