Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-09-19

1t was the pleasure of several of the per-
sonal and political friends of Hon. f. d.
Washburne, .f Illinois, to meet him in so
cial intercourse, the past week, in this city.
Mr.. Washburnc has lately returned from
Europe, whittier he went prior to the late
special session of Congress, TO recruit his
health, which had become considerably i'm
paired, lie represented himself MS now in
very good physical condition. and that his
journey had been one Of great satisfaction 10
himself
Mr. Washburnc, as Is generally well
known, has lately been in Washington. and
of course continued his intimate association
wish General Grunt whose abilities, il is
understood by the country, he was among
the first to discern, while he was foremost
and earliest in securing for Him proper rank
and position in the national army, and since
the war has been his "ncarest friend" if
that term may be allowed in connection with
so self-rcliant II parsonage as the General.
We violate no confidence, we think, in men
tioning Mr.. Washburnc's estimate OF his
prOtcge at the present time.
Alr. Washburne regards Gen. Grant as
wholly in sympathy with Congress, and its
plans of reconstruction. To the particular
inquiry of one of our Senators, Mr.. Wash
burnc replied that he considered him not
only in favor of thorough reconstruction,
us the advanced men understood it, but in
favor of standing by the blacks in all their
civil, social and political rights as conferred
| by the reconstruction acts. lie was in con-
slant consultation with Secretary Stanton
| Mr.. Washburne ailirms. in regard to the
lately impending change in the Cabinet re-
ceiving notice from Stanton just before he
went out that his dismissal would soon take
place, and was urged by him to accept the
place. ''Not only was this the case" said
Mr.. W., "but know that the letters from
Grant TO both the President and the Score
tary were written by Grant himself, upon
consultation with, land in full knowledge of,
Mr.. Stanton Mr.W. further remarked that
he should have deemed it criminal ncgli-
gence in Gen. Grant not to have accepted
the place under the circumstances and that
1t is now his duty 10 remain until the meet
ing OF Congress, even though the President
may want to get rid Of him,
Gen. Grant, Mr.. Wasliburne further rep
resented, was filled with as great apprehen-
sion for the safety Of the country MS any
man could he. lie had remarked that, when
IN the war, he was comparatively easy about
the result he knew what was to be the
end, and made his preparations accordingly;
but now he was filled with alarm he could
not foretcll what would transpire from day
to-day, and such anxiety he had never be
fore had. So urgent had he been that Con
gress should do its full duty at the late SEES
sion, that he personally entreatcd Senators
to retain the power to dismiss the district
commanders which the House had granted,
fearing what had since TRANSFERRED. (Fhis
statement in regard to Grant was corrobora-
ted by both our Senators, Mr.. Washburnc
adding that Trumbull and Sherman alike
were deaf to the appeals of the Gencral.)
Gen. Grant, further remarked Mr.. Wash
burne, was not an indifferent or careless Oh
server of passing events. lie was an intellj-
gent, reading man. lie consulted the lead
ing journals, and noted carefully the criti-
cisms upon his movements. When his lei
tiers see the lght-as they would surely
when Congress met, il not beforc-they
would be found as loyal, as true TO the de-
mands OF the times, as any could ask. lie
did not know that Grant would be retained
in the Cabinet ten days longer, but whether
or not, the country GOULD rest assured that
he was with II, and that Il would sooiior or
later, recognize in him true and valued
friend,
AS the final remark Of this conversation,
Mr. Waslburne said that the confidence re-
posed In Gen. Grant was not misplaced; and
that all loyal men could stand up for him
without hesitancy or the shadow OF doubt.
The great interest felt mt the present time
in the political situation at Washington
renders these views of Mr.. Waslburnc, the
confidential friend of Gen. Grant, of the
highest value and as such we unreservedly
print them.