Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-01-29
Arkansas Delegation to Washington.
Compress, Tie President and Gen. Grant.

y u.
The gentlemen from Arkansas. Hon. r. s.
CAN'T, and others, who spent some weeks in
Washington, 10y instruction of their Legisla-
ture, Tor the purpose Of comforting with the
heads Of the Government and leaders of par
tics, arrived in Louisville last Friday on their
way home. The editor Of the Louisville
Jom"Hui had u conversation with these gentle
men, who were.-uureserved on ali questions,
and gives to his readers the following SUM
ming up Of what they said:
They 60 not wholly give up Congress as
lost to all sense, justice, patriotism. and de-
cency, and believe that the impeachment
scheme will ultimately be abandoned or over
wheimingIy defeated. They discovered that
Stevens repubiicanism was malaIv confined
to a minority Of the Northern representation.
and that letters and circumstances by the
thousand we're pouring in daily unon mem
bers, from all parts Of the North, protesting
against the impeachment rs unwisc. rcvolu-
tiOuarv, and calculated il carried out. to nro-
duce civil discord and intcrnecne strile.j
They found the President firm in his de-
termination to see that equal and exact JUS
tice be melted out to each and every State of
the Union-the adumantine resolution of a
tional advisers are equally firm in the position
they have taken rs to the true meaning OF
their obligations under that great chart OF
human liberty aud human rights.
The delegation also met. at the dinner Ia
BILE OF Secretary Seward, with Gen. Grant
who, as usual, was very rcticent in political
matters, frankly stating to them that lie knew
nothing Of political affairs, and was wholly
ignorant of the sophistres. twistings, and
turnings of politicians. Regarding the con-
stitutional amendment, the General declined
to express any opinion as to its justice, con
stitutonality, or expediency, but SAID he
would like for at least one Southern State to
adopt 1t as an experiment. to see if their
Senators and Representatives would be add
m'ted to their seats in Congress-at the
same time expressing the opinion that they
would be admitted. He also stated that at
the commencement Of Congress, he urged
upon prominent members, it they intended
to make the adoption, upon the part Of the
southern States, of the amendment. the con-
dition precedent to rc-admission. they ough,
to pass resolution to that effect. solemnIy
plccSlng Congress to receive the Senators
ana Representatives into that body. II they
dld not take some such step they could not
expect the Southern people to take q step that
might be preliminary to others that would
lead them they knew not where On the ne.
gro suffrage question he was more decided
stating lie believed that was question that
should be left wholly and entirely with the
people OF the several States that Congress
in his opinion, had no right to interfere in
that matter; and emphatically declared that
If the question came up in Illinois. and he
were there to vote, he would certainly vote
against it But he said, smiling at the time
if he were in one of the Southern States be
believed he would vote for it, for he was sat,
isiicd lie could march the negroes up to the
polls and vote them as he pleased and would
thus be gaining instead of losing pol;tica
power"