Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-03-17

that he originated the lately published
policy of President johnson, has sent
many men to thinking here; and the
fact that, coupled with this statement, Mr.
Seward made use of some verv con-
temptuous expressions in speaking of
Mr.. johnson, added new complications
to the matter. This conversation was
to the President, and although he
was 10th to believe it, it doubtless excited
his suspicious hat his Secretary was play
ing false with him-possibly using him
for purposes of his own. At any rate Mr..
Seward, through his friends, is now at
tempting to deny the reports made in re-
gard to his conversation, but it can neither
be denied, nor its point blank statements
explained away. The purpose of pro-
claiming himself as the originator of this
plan, and his haste TO deny having spoken
c-ontemptuously of the President will ap-
pear in a clearer light in connection with
same other matters, and especial attention
is asked for the facts which are now pre-
sented.
Mr.. SEWARD FOL NEXT PRESIDENT.
The following conversation occurred in
Demopolis, Alabama, an NoVember last,
which, in view of late events, assumes a
deep significance. The parties to this con-
versation were one of the prominent poll
tieians of the South, who, before tie war,
was a member of the Cincinnati and Bal
timore Democratic conventions, and du-
ring the wal a staff officer high in position
in the rebel army, and the other was q
Union officer well known in the West,
who had gone South to purchase q plan
tation, and was at first mistaken for a
southern man
The conversation turned upon what
course the South would pursue, since the
failure of their arms. The first named
party stated that the matter had already
been earnestly considered by Southern
politicians, and they had come to this con-
clusion; that the South must bend all her
energies to securing the next President
that they must submit to any abuse or
examinations, and only perform such acts
as seemed absolutely necessary to satisfy
the North. 1t had been decided that the
South could not elect a Southern man,
that and.to make success sure they must
have a man that could carry either Penn
~sylvania or New York, and that they
had concluded that of these two
States New York was the most
available for their purpose, and
the most easily bought. If, then, they
could find a man who could carry New
York, even when put forward as a South
ern candidate, they we're perfectly sure tc
succeed, and that in case they did succeed
in getting back into power they would
soon settle their accounts with the North
1t was stated, further, that they had fixed
on their man that negotiations had al.
ready been opened with him, and looked
very promising, and finally it came on
that William H. Seward was the man
To the objection that the author of the
irrepressible conflict, and a lifelong anti
slavery man, could not possibly receive
the votes of the South, it was replied tina
the South would go as a unit for any mai
who could carry New York, and VIII,
would give proper pledges beforehand.
Such in brief il the substance of a state
ment made in November last, and tn
names of the parties and all the circum
stances connected with the matter can b
given if needed. The facts have been il
the possession of one of our most promi
mint Congressman since the beginning o
the session, but they made little impress
sion until the late remarkable conduct o
Mr.. Seward called them to mind. Tn,
person who heard this conversation wa
8 impressed by the manner of the speak
er, by his position, and all the eireum
/ stances connected with the occasion tina
ne besought the Congressman to whom h
related it, to keep a close watch of MI
Stewards actions, as he was thorough,
convinced that the conversation was
correct exposure of the plan upon whicl
/ rebel politicians we're then working.
Mr.. Seward has stated privately, within
a short time, that he is to be the mex
President, and he expects the support o
the South.
There are four points in Mr.. Seward
course during the war that it may be wei
to consider. In the first place, the proc
is positive that he gave pledges to tn
South Carolina Commissioners, Forsyth
| Crawford and Roman, through third par
| ties, that Fort Sumter should be evacua
ted. He then defeated the possibility o
believing the garrison, by sending the onl,
vessel on the whole coast that could rem
der the expedition successful to anothe
point. While she was being prepared b,
the express order of Mr.. Lincoln and tn
Navy Department, for the expedition
against Sumter, and when the fleet a
length sailed, expecting to meet the yes
sci which had put to sea at Fort Sumter
Mr.. Seward caused a dispatch to be sen
to the rebels in Charleston, informin,
them that q feet had sailed to relieve Sum
ter, upon which the rebels orened fir
upon the fort and reduced it. These ar
grave statements, but they are susceptible
Of abundant proof.
The second point is this: During tn,
first years of the wal the assertions of tn
Secretary, as contained in his dispatches
were to this eiect-that whether the re
bellion was crushed or sue essful, eithe
in part or wholly so, that the status of tn,
slave would remain unchanged. Abou
the time of the Peace Conference, his dis.
catches asserted that all hat was neces
sary was for the South to send member
to occupy the seats which were open tt
them in Congress, and settle all points o
dispute by legislation
In his Auburn speech, which it will b.
remembered was made a short time befor,
the conversation already referred to a
Demopolis, he-maintained the doctrine o
the continuance Of the States in the I'm.
ion, and that all that was needed to re
store matters to their former state was t.
have the South send members to occupy
their vacant seats. If the statements o.
the politician to whom reference has beer
made, can be relied upon, at this very
time negotiations had already been opened
with Mr.. Seward.
The following facts will berecalled con.
| corning Mr.. Stewards connection with the
New York meeting. On the 2Ist of Feb
ruary, he had a prolonged interview witt
the President, and started at once for New
York. The next day the President made
a speech, which a member of his own
household declared was prepared before
hand, and that the President said exactly
what he had determined 10 say. Mr.
Seward went to New York and made {
speech. After the meeting he dined will
the old leaders of the Democracy in tia
State. After hearing the exact character
of the Presidents speech, he and thos'
who were working with him, sent thos'
dispatches which at first so perplexed thu
country by their style, but which, on sec
ond thought, were believed to reflect thu
character of the dinner, rather than any
sincere Endorsement Of the speech.
The declaration of Mr.. Seward that ht
originated the present Administration
policy, was q good thing to go to thu
South. The denial of that in part, and O
the use of any contemptuous languag,
about Mr.. johnson, is q good thing t.
keep peace with the President, and MAKE
him halievA that he Is mot hainr nsad Il