Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1868-09-17
Interview With General Longstreet.

from the P1ttSDurgh Gazette, sept. 4th.
Yesterday chieftain of the late Re
bellion General James Longstreet, ar
rived in New York. Since the war he
accepted the situation and has used hi
| influence to counsel and guide his people
| and to lead them safely back to an en-
dearing peace. Yesterday evening a re
porter of the Tribune called upon the
General at the New York Hotel. Imag
inc seated at table, a well built man iI
a.suit of black. The face is a kindly
pleasant one, the beard is sandy anG
grizzled and the cheeks are flushed. The
forehead is high and the eyes are grey
and soft i'll expression. The mouth
squarely cut denotes decision, and there
is that quiet resolute air about him that
reminded one of General Grant, whom
he strongly resembles in looks and man.
ner. Although suffering from an attack
of fever he bore himself resolutely above
pain, and after dinner conversed freely
upon affairs in the Southern States. AS
portion of the conversation bears di-
rectly upon the coming campaign L give
it in full.
Reporter-Do you think we will have
better days in the Southern States.
ongstreet-Assuredly. The cotton
crop has been very large this year, and
we will soon have capital of our own to
work upon.
Reporter Seymour is elected,
do you think we will have another war?
Longstreet-I cannot say as to that,
but believe that If he is elected it aOiA
open all those old issues, and 1Ue aUiU have
trouble. but 1 don't think he will be
elected.
Reporter-What do you think of
Grant?
Longstreet-He is n2y man. L believe
he is fair man. L met him at West
Point. 1 think he is above meanness.
HIS silence IS grand.
, Reporter-There is one thing I would
ike to ask 1t is in regard to the negro.
Longstreet (smiling)-I will tell you
all L know.
Reporter-Will he keep his contracts
in regard tolabor?
Longstreet-I can relate my own eX-
perience. My men have worked well.
They like to have white man come
out and tell them what to do. There
was always class of lazy men who
would sit in their houses and give their
orders. These men deserve to have
trouble.
Reporter-And in regard to jury trials
4 mean negroes upon a jury bench?
IOuSStIccU-Ih SOtuO CetScS OIldI Is Udu
for instance, where an action involves an
account. Negroes are generally ignorant
upon intricate matters of business. But,
if a district is disposed to do right with
them, the jury may be divided-white
and black. They (the negroes) soon
learn, and appreciate the position.
Reporter-About negro supremacy?
Longstreet-Ah, that can never be; it
is silly to think of it. They can never
be stronger than they are to-day, and
the whites of the South know it, but
they are misled by the politicians.
RepOrter-In regard to the acts of re-
construction?
Longstreet-I advise them to accept
them, and come into the Union and try
to bring about peace and prosperity. L
told thepeople of Alabama, if they would
not be guided by the politicians they
would come out all right.
Reporter and you think it will come
out all right?
Longstreet-I do, the crops are large.
The cotton crop is worth 500, 900, ,OOO.--
That is a step toward bringing about the
desired result. Chase was my man. L
think if nominated he could have been
elected, and the Southern people would
rally about him without knowing it; /
cannot vote for Seymour, but any way,
think good times are not far distant.