The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-26

respondent must decidedly diner with the Governor.
Fve Thousand negroes a. the barbecue al Selma. I'll
yelling for seymour and Blair, are not small
number.'D Mr. Smith thought that some, OF the
negroes might be influenced by the democrats from
would vote for Grant and Coifax as blacks would
vote Tor seymour and Blair The small number Of
white men who favored the adoption OF the constltu-
ZION did not comprise the entire white republican
element oil Alabama He believed It numbered over
1900 voters but that on account OF certain objec-
uonable clauses the great majority OF them kept
away from the polls ut the last election.
I'm the event OF seymour and Blair being elected"
u ss do You apRrehend any temps on the Part
government
mo. The democrats would undoubtedly do all in
do not fear voence The question OF the legality Of
the State government would be brought before the
whatever the decision think the people would abide
by 1t. Some person would soon make up a case and
bring II before the court" Continuing, Mr.. smith
stated that he had fear that there would be any
disorder or violence growing out Of the election
OF either Seymour or Grant. The masses would
quietly abide by the decision OF the people as ex.
the election OF Grant and C0lfAx. lie felt confident
that Pennsylvania and Ohio would be carried by the
republicans, and even OF Indiana he was hopeful.
The election OF General Grant win bring peace and
quiet TO the country and restore ts prosperity. In
II the southern States now reoresented IL Congress
are carried by the democrats and Congress
passes any further reconstruction legislation
1t will have very bad effect and most likely
plunge the South into a terrible vortex. Your cor
respondent mentioned having seen q bin which
had been drawn up by radical member regulating
Georgia for having declared the negroes ineligible
for ONCE. He thought that oil such legislation could
do no good and would be productive Of much harm,
and ne hoped Congress would leave reconstruction
just rs IL Is and go no further Your correspondent
inquired II there was disposition on the part OF
any considerable number Of the whites to take up
arms against the United states again. Governor
Smith answered that he thought II the whites were
certain OF success they would again rebel, but as
they saw success was impossible They had accepted
the situation IN good faith.
During the conversation Mr.. Smith referred to
what he termed the inconsistency OF the democratic
party the oath Of The constitution and the negro
questions. In regard to the first democratic leaders
had said that no white man could take IL be-
cause IL forbids his ever voting to amend the con-
stttion or to restrict suffrage; now they told the
people to take IT, register and vote for Seymour as IL
ony bound them until the constitution Is amended
Then, again. the democrats had sworn they would
never solicit their vote. Now they we're dong all
they could 10 get the negroes votes and this course
ha0 disguised large proportion OF the white popu-
laton. lie thought that II the democrats would
recognize and guarantee the right OF suffrage TO the
blacks they could to great extent control their
votes; but until they did that the negroes would
remain IN the republican ranks.
The entrance OF another visitor ended the inter-
view. which was very pleasant one altogether
Governor Smith is quite q sociable gentleman, and
appears TO be man OF some ability. He Ia a native
OF Alabama and was an adnerent OF the Union
throughout the war. His recent conservative course
and the manner In which he has resisted the efforts
OF the Legislature to make the State g0Yernm ent
worse than 1t is already, well as TO trampe up on
every right OF the people, has made him somewhat
popular among the whites. As q matter or course
he Is NOT their choice, but they have learned TO re-
spect him. and In the present state OF affairs IN the
ly into socia. life, respect from the masses OF the
whites Ia no small thing TO gain.