Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-07-27
A CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT
JOHNSON.

From the Boston Commercial, July ~
A gentleman who had a free conversation
with President JOHNSON, a few days since,
informs us that he found him hopeful, in
good spirits and unhesitating in the express
sion of his views He does not anticipate
anything like Democratic majority in the
next House of Representatives, though the
number of representatives 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 people of the South as all hOnoTa-
bic and high-minded nations deal with their
antagonists, after having beaten and disarm-
ed them. And in districts and States where
the Republican party fail to nominate such
men, he thinks Democratic candidates 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 a generous and expansive plan of
Cancellation, and the longer this is delayed
the more difficult will it be to bring the
North and the South into harmony. If the
suspicious, tyranical policy is 100 long pur-
sued, the population Of the South will be-
come as hostile in time to the North as the
people of ireland are toward England, adj
ding to this evil of hereditary and growing
luminosity an ability for revenge hundred
fold greater than Ireland possesses.
In regard to the blacks, the President says
they will find work enough, and for many
years to come probably better remuneration
than any other class of agricultural laborers
in the country. The competition Of capital
lists and land owners will insure good treat
ment, and good pay from the planters. That
there will be much disorder is to be expect
ed; but there will be no more than there
would be at the North were the number Of
black laborers sufficiently numerous to enter
into serious rivalry with white labOrers.
The President is confident that nothing
can be safely and permanently done in re-
gard to restoring the currency, diminishing
taxation and establishing the prosperity of
the country on a sound and enduring basis
until REPRESENTATIVES from all the States are
present in Congress. The idea of legislating
for one-third of the population of the coun-
try, and passing constitutional amendments
without allowing them any voice in the mat
ter, or paying any attention to their wishes,
is full Of danger to the future peace and well
fare of the nation. They cannot be treated
as a subiugated people or as vassal colonies
without germ Of hatred being introduced,
which will some day or other, though the
time may be distant, develop mischief of the
most serious character.
With regard 70 the basis of representation,
he denounces this as a mere bugbear. Ii
can not, and will not, be permanently settled
until all the States are represented, and no
increase in the number Of representatives in
consequence Of the emancipation of the
slaves can in any event occur until the cen
sus of 1870 is taken, until which time, of
course, the three-fifth provision is in force
under the last census. There is, therefore,
ample time 10 settle this matter between
now and 1870, and it is unwise 10 agitate il
until other matters, which cannot he delayed,
are settled.
The President does not admit that he has
been inconsistent lie is as much opposed
TO treason and traitors as ever he was, and
for punishing them severely. But there are
no treason and no traitors now. The enemy
has fully and fairly surrendered and IS pow
erless, and foe thus situated should be mag
unanimously treated. A generous and self
reliant warrior always restores his disarmed
enemy his sword, and trusts his parole OF
honor.
The idea Of muzzling the press and tying
the tongues of the people Of the South.
afeer the manner OF the suspicious ty-
rants and the Holy Inquisition Of the Old
World he denounces as absurd. 4 people
should be allowed 10 grumble who have snf-
fered 30 much, and they would be unworthy
the name Of men II they did DOT respect the
brave oficen who have suffered with them,
and homer the memory Of their gallant dead
who sleep on a hundred battle-helds around
their homes.