The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-02-06
Correspondence of the New York Times.]
President johnson and Negro Suffrage.
IA, Interesting Interoieao-The President Re-
iterates that He is the best friend to the Ne

An Interesting InterCleao-1he President Re
iterates that He is the best friend to the Ne
grOes.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Thursday, Jan. "a.
J. Fl. Harris, President of the State Equal
Rights League of N. c., and delegatefrom that
State to the Annual Convention of the Ma
tional Equal Rights League, which held its
session in this city last week, and another
colored man, had an hours interview with
President johnson not long since, during
which that officer expressed himself very
fully regarding the political situation of the
country and its relation to the status of the
colored race. Mr.. Harris friend is about the
same age as Mr.. johnson, and they were
raised together in Raleigh, N G. Owing to
this fact they found ready admittance to the
presence of His Excellency, and enjoyed very
favorable opportunities of obtaining free ex-
pressions of opinion from him. Mr. John
son commenced the interview with kind in
qui1es regarding his old friends, both white
and black, in Raleigh, and recalled many
"reminiscences of his boyhood days when he
was playmate of one his colered guests
The first half hour was spent in conversation
on such subjects. after which he inquired re-
garding the protection afforded them by ex-
listing laws in his native State
Mr.. Harris replied to these inquiries by
stating that their present condition is any
thing but safe, and that they will never be
fully guaranteed in their right as citizens
without the power to vote for their friends
and against their enemies To this the Pres
ident replied, that he is as much in favor of
qualified negro suffrage as Mr.. Sumner or
any one else of the Radical stripe; but in
his opinion universal suffrage will effect more
harm than good He further stated that he
had always been friend to the colored peo-
pie, and still continued so. He referred to
his course in Tennessee, mentioning the fact
that in President Lincoln's Emancipation
Proclamation, Tennessee is not included and
announced that he had used his influence
with the Legislature and people of that
State to secure the voluntary emancipation
of their slaves. He also stated that he was
one of the Southern men of prominence who
advocated the doctrine of negro suffrage
publicly. In his opinion the colored people
would not live ten years before becoming
convinced that he is the best friend they
have in public life now. Whatever their
opinion of his policy may be at present, he
claimed that the future would demonstrate
the soundness of his views, and they would
have good reason to change their opinions
He referred, in proof of his statements re-
garding his friendship toward the colored
race, to gift of $1,000 to a South Carolina
school. He was much gratifed to learn that
the freedmen of the South, who knew him
personally, retain their old regard for him,
but was informed that they think they have
good reason for disliking him politically
now. He remarked that it is not always those
who make the loudest professions of friend
ship that are the truest. In connection with
this statement he cited the case of Napoleon
Bonaparte, who, being elected to the high
position, as an advocate of republican prin-
ciples, turned his back on his faith, and fas-
tened on his country despotism ten times
more severe than before. Thus it will be, he
said, with the Radicals of the North and the
freedmen of the South. After more CONVEX
sation to the same effect, the President dis
missed his friends, and the interview ended
with expressions OF hope by him that be-
tore long both blacks and whites will move
along tranquility, each race enjoying politi-
cal rights in accordance with their respect
i've merits. E.PB