The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-02
POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.


--~~~~~-~~>~>>~~- t't
He Prophesies Despetism and an Empire
Grant Observation-Disclosures Of the Candi.
dates-The Presidential Election-No Trou-
bic Anticipated During the EIection-His
Views ON National Finances.
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, August %, 1858.
Thirty years ago Mr.. Stephens visited these
springs, just at the commencement OF his remark
able political career He was then tweDty-six years
OF age, making him now nftyslx, and already in the
feeble health that has been the bane Of his entire
existence. It was here he contracted the habit OF
smoking O pipe which has characterized him for
many years past. Again this season has Mr. Ste
phens honored the Springs with his presence,
and, of course has attracted an unusal share
Of attention from the numerous visitors
who have recently thr0nged this delightful watering
place quest OF health, pleasure and some OF them
political recreation. These latter, however, were
Few, though the Springs has been noted Tor Its
political meetings and Presidential campaigning
prior to the late unhappy civil war. The meeting
OF the large number Of ex-Confederate generals and
statesmen recently may be said to have been the
result OF accidents but the coming OF General Rose
Grams has given it decided political cast, OF which
you are already fully informed.
Mr. Stephens, had learned, while evincing a deep
interest in the political affairs Of the country,
determined to take no active part In the
great campaign now in progress, though the
most vital issues and principles with which he
has been identified his whole life are involved.
lie has devoted himself to his work, the first volume
OF which has been published, and on the second
OF which he is yed-these literary pursuits
occupying the greater portion Of HIS time when his
health allows. But, Notwithstanding that, he has be-
come politically recluse called upon him for the
purpose OF learning his views the great impending
in Of fha in Tho in nxvr
here Seated on rocking chair, with the inevitable
pipe in his mouth, the ioor strewed over with news
papers, suggestive OF editor's room, found the
former Vice President OF the confederacy. Pale,
emaciated and amo shrvelled. his thin lips witch
ing nervousy his felt hat on because of neuralgia in
the head, one leg thrown over the other, the
foot Of which was constantly in a nervous
motion, but his dark eyes sparkling brilliantly
and his entire features remarkable for intellectual
expression, Mr.. stephens lmpresses the visitor with
q feeling OF Difference mingled with pity that such
wonderful mental power should be accompanied by
30 feeble physical organization. After few
marks as to his health, which he said very poor
and was the cause Of his present visit to the Springs
asked for his opinions politically. and received a
reply which fully confirmed what had heard-that
he did not intend to make any expression OF them
nor In any way to mecdle with the contest.
ALLOWING such to be the case" remarked, "a
mere conversation on political topics cannot be con-
strued INTO participation In the campaign"
that cast might be given to It. 1 am unwell, how.
ever. to-day, and II you call again may talk with
This was few evenings since. and in accordance
with his expressed PERMISSION l again presented
myself to-day. finding him looking better, decidedly
allow do you regard the present condition of the
country, MIR. Stephens 7" commenced.
the ss ssgs o.
We are fast vergng into Capitalization and despoL-
Ism. Unless some wonderful change takes place,
unless the people OF the North exercise that wisdom
for which Americans have been 30 remarkable In the
past though they seem to have lost it attery, the
empire on the ruins OF tins once great republic. The
measures naugurated by the dominant party are the
the Of coas 1hy
and have leglslated solely to keep them
selves selves in Vs. power and ,,., to effect the same
meantime the government will be merged into a
despotism-an empire. II Grant is elected next No
vember never expect to see another Presidential
"Mhat is your opinion Of Grant personarlysr
$
BILE man and one that few appreciate, OF decided
military genius energy and ned
present Emperor Louis Napoleon performed when
he placed himself on the throne Of France"
'Do you know the other candidates and what
would result from the election Of Seymour and
BlarY"
''Blar know; Colfax know; Seymour don't
and Colfax l served IN Congress with, and per-
sonay have no objection to any Of them. Blair is
inour, as far as know; and Colfax may be placed
IN the same category. But Il is not the men; 4 Is
that are to be regarded in the next election. 1t is
the principles they represent that are at ISSUE Tue
sns ana
the country to the verge Of ruin and threatens
nSy to destroy IT, s sss q
ment Of whites and the expenditure and
corruption Of the present government are the
Issues to be fought. Look At the Wnfskey bill. Why,
SIR never saw nor heard Of more odIous or
abominabIe document, and It Is but a sample OF the
and Blair would, l think think, restore harmony, abolish
corruption give the States the right to regulate their
own domestic affairs, and by an economical admin.
tstration OF the government reduce taxation and
lessen the national debt to an extent that In gene
ration Il would scarcely be felt: Imagine yearly
expenditure OF $460, 900 and the country gr0an
ing under excessive taxation to pay the interest on
n debt OF $500 100000 that was contracted to keep
the southern States In the Union, which, after the
Loss OF a million of men and the lapse Of three years
since the close Of the war, Is yet undone What the
South lett the Union for the North IL now doing The
former wanted additional constitutional guarantees
20 remain in the Unon the latter enacts and adopts
unconstitutional guarantees IN the shape OF amend
ments 10 the constitution before they will admit the
South again. All this Is wrong and Is but, as said
before, al advance towards despotsm and an en-
pnc.'
'.How would the Southern people net with regard
to universal suffrage in the event OF the success OF
Seymour and Blairtn
there is little doubt that all this party legislation TO
secure power would he overthrow. Conventions
would DC called anu the people NOuu Regulate SUI
frage as best they thought proper. believe system
Of qualified suffrage on an educational basis would
be generally adopted In the south IN such an event.
800 you anticipate any trouble during the Presi-
Dental election between the races In the newly re-
constructed Statesri
..No; except when II is provoked by the unprinci-
pied whites who have associated themselves with
the negroes get Office. Tue whites will remain az
they nave been, peaceabe and quiet, relying mainly
the North for deliverance from the frightiul
Citlon which they are placed. The cry OF the
radicals let us have peace means Let ms have
vNor how IN m
inaugurate not ana hlOodshed, II not thwarted by.
the iorbearancc Of the whites. They raise the cry
that the South wants war. They lie when they say
n. The Southern people have no means TO make
war, no disposition tn fight; no enemy 10 meet.
Peace all they wish for, and the civil liberty which
~ citizens OF thls publ they are entitled tor
''WOuld the negroes resort 10 arms ia case they
were deprived Of suirragew
II they would and did and fought for IL they should
no tfpl m hut no "A mn M n