The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-07-31


ricks brother was appointed, but not until he had
boen recommended through the proper channels
Charles A. Dana also called upon me to help Ash
ley in this matter. He also insisted that the bar.
gain was made in gooG faith, and must be carried
out. Ashley has been my enemy ever SINCE"
Writing from Washington Immediately after the
passage OF the thirteenth amendment, showed
how three or four other mon had been brbed-all
Democrats-whose absence when the vote was being
taken had been brought about by bargain with a
leading railroad monopoly. 1t was al done through
Mr.. Ashley. Perhaps many are willing to JUSTIFY
tho means for the sake of the end in this case-to
violate the injunction of the Apostle, and do evil
that good may come. But no fact in human nature
is more clearly demonstrable than that man who
will corrupt others is not incorrupible himself; no
man over offered bribe who wouldn't, under GER
tain circumstances, take one; and no Congress-
man evor bought another's vote until he had some
experience in the mercantile value OF such articles
by selling his own. Tho matter contained in this
paragraph is fit subject for the Judiciary Com
mittec, or somo other committee of investigation.
be known, or, as Mr.. johnson said to me on the
subject, 'Lct them clean out the Augcan stable
entirely when they are at it. They have been en-
quirng into my corruption; now let them enquire
little into their own"
THE PRESIDENT AND POLITICAL PARTIES.
The President expressed the fear that the work
of restoring the Union would suffer from the COM
binations and plans for the next Presidency, al
ready in d state Of formation. AS far as he was
concerned, he said, he had no ambition for an
candidate for reelection. 81 am not seeking any
nomination, but I want the friends can get
to help mo save the country, and don't care what
party they come from. Before I sent my first
message to Congress-, told all the Republicans
who called upon me that if they would go to work
store harmony and good feeling between the two
sections, I would give them tond in any sum
they could name never to ask for an Office and
never to hold one again. told them then what
tions Of patriotism and public duty, as mere
question Of party expedicncy, they ought to do
this. I said to them That the South was 7ihipped;
that the people felt they had been put down by
the arbiter Of their own selection and were ready
to accept the situation in good faith and that if
ly and generously with them, it could be assured
of twenty years Of power with the South its
friends. I told them that these States must come
back somehow, and it was for thom to say whether
the North. If there were any rebels left in the
South, the Republican party could have conquered
them by the course suggested. That was clear
to my mind then, and it is more 80 now."
Concerning the Democratic party OF tho North,
he said some Democrats were very reasonable,
others very unreasonable in their demands Of him,
Some wanted him to give all the Offices to Demo,
Gratis; others didn't ask any thing Of the kind.
Some insisted on his changing his Cabinet and
doing everything to suit them. eff had taken
all tao advice that's been given to me, don't know
where I should have been by this time One set
of men will come in and lay down plan which
they think will do great deal Of good. They'll go
out and in will come another set equally confident
in an entirely different plan. I am always glad to
get advice, but some men get mad at me because
don't take it. Thoy don't appear to understand
how difficult it is for me to see things from the
same standpoint wi tn them sometimes. They arc
outside, it were, and can't be expected to see all
the bearings as do. But they'll come here and
storm and fret ut me because won't let them take
charge Of me, and do the whole business. Now
while am here don't intend to be taken charge
of by any body. I intend to do what's right, as
nearly as can get ut it, and won't shirk the con-
sequences, that may arise from that course. I
can't please everybody, and it's no use trying. It's
always, but the responsibility for acting upon it
falls upon me, SO must be the judge"
HORACE GREELEY.
On the subject Of Greeleys nomination as Minis
ter to Austria, Mr.. johnson said he had seen it
stated that this was an idea CT Stewards to get
Greeley out of the country. Greeley, and Weed
and Seward havo beon quarreiing for some time,"
said he, "and have heard it said that Seward got
this appointment to put Groeloy out of the way.
There is not word of truth in that. The State
We agreed upon q list Of appointments in Cabinet
on Friday, and sent Greeley name to tho Senate
without It's coming through the State Department
in tho regular way. His appointment was not
suggested to mo by anybody. They had objected
to Raymond. I was anxious to see the place filed
and I wanted q man who was honest and capable
tRoRght heIo lie Would suit, and didn't think the Sen
ate would throw him overheard. Greeley has
queer notions about some things; ho has his
freaks and his whims; and he has not been very
friendly to me- but I havo always thought him
an honest man. So I thought I'd send him
in, and I did 80 without consulting any
lection to him too. Meantime, tho mission
is vacant, but the fault of the vacancy is not
mine. l have done my duty toward filling it.
A. j. ON GENERAL GRANT.
Speaking Of Presidential caeddatos and aspi-
rants, Mr.. Johnson asked me if I had any idea
what was the nature of General Grants testimony
before the Judiciary Committee. / told him 1
ony knew OF tho rumor that hal been floating
about Washington, attributed to Mr.. Eldridge, u
Democratic member Of the Judiciary Committee,
to the effect that Grants testimony made him q
good candidate for the Democracy; but that had
also heard that the Radical mombers OF the Com
mittce asserted the very reverse OF this, and
claimed the testimony as fitting Grant for Rad-
col nomination. The President replied that he
had regarded Grant rs an endorser OF his policy
all along. ''You will remember" said he, "that
the mess &c for which was first denounced in the
Senate as whitewoshing the condition Of affairs in
tho South, was based partly upon information fur
nished by General Grant in his report, which ac-
companied that message. / have never spoken
very much to General Grant on the subject OF
politics. but I should be surprised to find out at
this time that ho has been opposed to what have
been attempting to do for the restoration of tho
Southern States" These were the words Of the
President on this point, as nearly as can remem-
Der them; they express tho idea, ut any rate. My
impression is that when Grants testimony is
printed, it will be hard to determine from it
whether Ulysses is on both sides or on neither at
the present writing.
THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY.
Frequently during tho conversation tho Presi-
dent spoke of the condition of the country as ex-
tremely pcrilous and besct with many difficulties
First said he, "thcre are ten States totally dis
organized and torn to pieces. 1t is hard to see
how, under tho existing laws, this matter can be
satisfactorily settled up. Then there is the Mexi-
can qucstion-and very complicated question it
is, too. Men may talk as they please in Congress
and Oh the stump about it, but it is subject that
must bo arranged by tho law of nations. I don't
wish to be understood as saying exactly what will
be done about it, but merely to say that it will be
difficult and complicated question to adjust be-
folo we get altogether through with it.. Then
there's great national debt to pay, and the peo-
po are getting restive under y heavy taxation.
Then wo have m Indian war on our hands, the
possible extent and cost of which are not easy to
forcsee Now, all these things demand attention,
and fear they will be lost sight of in tho great
struggle for the Presidency. Tho country needs
all tho friends it can get now irrespective Of par
ty. to help save 1t from breakers. Any man who
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