The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-20
An InterN lew with General Grant-what
He says Of the south.

Special Correspondence Of the Troy Daily Times
WASHINGTON, February 1--we paid our
day. We found him hard at work, but cordial
as usual in receiving friends. We had last met
decisive movement that crushed out the Rebel
lion. Then he appeared carewOrn and almost
prostrated by his great labbrs Now he gives
evidence Of an easier life and less exactlng
duties.
He is, however, the same calm, modest. emil
nently sensible and we'll poised man, whose
military combinations broke the back of rebel
lion and brought the traitors to surrender.
He conversed freely upon the condition of the
country. and there is no attempt at conceal
ment Of his views. The questions put to him
and his answers were substantially as fol-
q. The Rebellion was put down by the strong
arm OF military power under your direction,
and surely the work was well done. Now the
question is, what policy shall be pursued for the
reorganization Of the late Rebel States2
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 amend
ment instead OF rejecting IT so hastily, they
would have been admitted by Congress in De-
cember, but now think they will have to take
the amendment, and manhood suffrage besides.
Congress Will insist upon this.
@. How are affairs at the South General? Is
ii true that in Texas, and many other sections.
no adequate protection is given to Union m IN?
A. 1t is true that in large proportion of
Texas a Union man is not safe IL beyond the
limits OF military protection. In and about
Galveston better state of things exists, ana
be- SSad 70 o have tSe laws enforced In many
other sections of the South loyal men nave 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 offenses
against Union citizens, white and black. And
as for that matter they were always remiss. l
am told that no murderer who had held what
is called n respectable position before he COM
mitted the crime was ever hung or otherwise
punished in the State of Virginia, and believe
the is true OF most, If net all, the late slave
States.
@. You say, General, the Civil Courts have
fai ed TO protect Unionists at the South. Well,
are not the soc called State Governments there
the greatest of all failures?
a. That is a political question for Congress TO
decide. / only give facts, and others may con-
Strue them as they please. believe that large
/ numbers at the South would be glad TO nave
the laws enforced impartially; in some parts
trouble Is they are overcome by the lawless
element, and cannot enforce justice.
g. Wei, in any event, there can be no more
fighting?
Copperhead set, get up their threatened war,
and there it some doubt, think, whether they
will undertake to carry out their threats.
One of our party, Mr.. e. .. Greene, OF troy,
the inquiry whether a Union man is perfectly
safe in travelling South?
a. Oh, yes, perfectly SAFE There is no danger
! at all on the regular lines of travel. But then
! discussions. there would be danger In some
places, no doubt In that case shooting would
/ probably be passed off as justihable homicide
/ If the murderer was arrested at all.
] General good day. all our party being highly
! pleased with the interview, and feeling
strengthened in the conviction that s. s. Gran ,rs
! to hold the more exalted position of Presiden
| of the United States, to which a loyal peop
! will call him. a j. M. f.