The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-02-27
INTERVIEW WITH GEN. GRANT.
What He Says OF the State of Affairs IN
the South.

1 TIC 0Ouens
A correspondent of the Troy On. ~
Ddly Times writes from this city I'M
der date of February Is, as follows:
We paid our respects to General
| Grant at his headquarters on Saturday.
We found him hard At work, but cor
dial a. usual in receiving friends. We
had last met him at City Point, just be-
fore the grand and decisive movement
that crushed out the rebellion. Then
he appeared careworn and almost pros
trated by his great labon. Now he
gives evidence of an easier life and less
exactine duties. He is, however, the
same calm, modest, eminently sensible
and well-poised man, whose military
combinations broke the back of rebel
ion and brought the traitors to sur
render. He conversed freely upon the
condition of the country, and there is
no attempt at concealment of his views.
The question put to him and his an
swers were substantially as follows:
Q. The rebellion was put down by
the strong arm of military power under
your direction, and surely the work
was we'll done. Now, the question is
what policy shall be pursued tor the
reorganization of the late rebel States?
A. No; the work is not all DONE
The fighting is finished, but the very
important matter of reconstruction is
yet to be completed. l think if the
Southern States had accepted the
amendment instead of rejecting it so
hastily. they would have been admitted
by Congress in December, but now l
think they will have to take the amend
ment, and manhood suffrage besides
Congress will insist upon this.
Q. How are affairs at the South, Cen
eral? Il it true that in Texas and
many other sections no adequate pro-
lection is given to Union men?
A. 1t is true that in large proper
ton of Texas Union man is not safe
if beyond the limits of military protec-
ton. In and about Galveston better
state of things exists, and majority OF
the people, l have no doubt, would be
glad to have the laws enforced. In
many other sections of the South loyal
men have no proper security for life
and property unless they are SO located
as to be taken care of by the military.
The civil courts fail to punish offences
against Union citizens, white and black.
And as for that matter they were al
ways remiss. / an told that no muir
dcrer who had held what is called a
respectable position before he commit
ted the crime was ever hung or other
wise punished in the State of Virginia,
and believe the same is true ofmost,
if not all the late slave States.
Q. You say, General, the civil courts
have failed to protect Unionists at the
South. Well, are not the so called State
governments there the greatest of all
failures?
\. That is a political question for
Congress to decide. l only give facts,
and others may construe them as they
please. l believe that large numbers
at the South would be glad to have the
laws enforced impartially in some parts
this is the sentiment of the majority.
But the trouble is they are overborne
by the lawless element, and cannot en-
forcejustice.
Q. Well, in any event there can be
no more fighting?
A. Oh, no, unless Brooks and Wood
and that Copperhead set get up their
threatened war, and there is some doubt,
| think, whether they will undertake to
carry out their threats.
One Of our party, Mr.. G. O. Greene,
of Troy, who is on his way to Augusta,
Ga, here made the inquiry whether a
Union man is perfectly safe in travelling
South.
y. Oh, yes; perfectly safe. There is
no danger at all on the regular lines OF
travel. But then if you should stop and
get into angry political discussions there
would be danger in some places no
doubt. In that case shooting would
probably be passed off as justifable
homicide, if the murderer was arrested
at all.
After passing compliments, &c, we
babe the General good-day, all our par
ty being highly pleased with the inter
view, and feeling strengthened in oul
conviction that U. S. Grant is not only
fit to be General, but eminently fit to
hold the more exalted position Of Presi
dent Of the United States, to which a
loyal people will call him. J. NJ. F.