Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-03-31
WHERE THE pREsIDENT STANDS.
A COpperhead Interview with Mr..
johnson.

We published day before yesterday the
speech of C. NJ. Ingersoll, at the New
Haven C COpperhead Convention, ,rehearsing
his recent interview with johnson. He
has now published card, in conjunction
with A. E. Burr, politician of the same
stripe, reiterating his statements in more
definite form. We copy from the Hart
ford Times:
To the Electors of Connecticut;
The undersigned were presented to
President johnson on Friday evening, the
23d inst, by General Rosseau, member
of Congress from Kentucky, and per-
sonal friend of the President, who had pre-
viously assured us that the President, in
view of the success of his restoration pol
icy, SO vital to the welfare of the Union,
desired the election of the Hon. James K,
English in Connecticut, Gen. Rosseau
remained with us darinS our interview
with tie President.
We stated to the President that we had
called to ascertain beyond Question or
doubt, the position which he took in late
conversation with General Hawley and
Messrs. Owen and Griswold of Connect
cut, a report of which had been published,
and which we believed did not fully repre-
sent the Presidents sentiments as ex-
pressed upon that occasion.
He said he had no views to conceal
that the present crisis demanded frank
avowals, and he had publicly made them )
he hoped there would be no deception
practiced upon the people.
We read to him the despatch Of Messrs.
owen and Griswold to the Republican
meeting in Hartford. He expressed sur
prise that the gentlemen had omitted an
essential part of his remarks. He said he
did stand upon the principles of the Bal
timore platform, the object Of which was
to restore the Union, and that was his OBJ
ject now. He did desire the success of
the Union party.
We then said, it is claimed in Connecti-
cut that when you say you desire the sue
cess of "the Union party" you desire the
election of General Hawley, as the party
that supports him calls itself "the Union
party"
He replied, that he meant by the Union
party at this time, the party which sup
ports his Union restoration policy, tohoeUer
then Haay be, and no others. He did not
consider those who opposed his policy as
belonging TO the Union party. There
should be no Misrepresentation in this
matter; he considered that the welware
of the Union depended upon the success
of his restoration policy.
The President then remarked, that
Messrs. Owen and Griswold should have
reported him as saying that he was the
friend of those who support his policy,
and the opponent of those who oppose 1t.
The question, said he, Of my restoration
policy is Hol1 the paramount question, and
all lOho oppose 1t are my opponents.
We assured the President that if those
gentlemen had so telegraphed his re-
marks, we should have not been here this
evening.
The President then said, "The prin-
eiples of my restoration policy are fleadd-
mental. No man can approve of my
policy and that of Congress at the same
time. That is impossible. In New Hamp-
shire it was claimed that both policies
were supported, which of course could not
be; but after the election, it was claimed
that radical victory had been achieved" !"
He trusted the people would not now be
deceived.
We then handed to the President the
resignation of Postmaster Cleveland. He
took the letter, read it over carefully, and
remarked {" this morning read in the
IateILiqcacer Mr.. Cleveland's late speech
at Hartford 1t is a good speech. He
takes the right ground" He then read
Mr.. Cleveland's letter again, and in our
presence signed upon the back of it his
approval of Mr.. C.'s course, and calling
his Secretary, requested him to put it an
official envelope, and to direct it to Mr..
Cleveland, which having been done, the
President returned it to US, unsealed- Our
interview was exceedingly pleasant and
entirely satisfactory to US, and we so ex-
pressedi ourselves to the President on
taking leave of him.
A. E. BURR,
c. NJ. INGERsoLL.
March oath. 1866.