The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-03
VIEWS OF PUBLIC HEN



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WASHINGTON, Nov. %, 1868.
Some days ago I had the pleasure OF very
agreeable interview with Hon. Simon Cameron,
In which the conversation ran manly on the public
welfare as was but natural with man in whom
love OF the country and hope Tor its future are the
bases OF all thought Mr. Cameron takes the same
sangune view OF future that seems to have been
instnctively reached by 30 many OF our public men.
"Flrmness in the administration of the laws Ia what
We get with Grant," said the Senator, land this VIII
give us complete political tranquility. Political
tranquility is the paramount necessity. Even
the financial condition depends upon that.
No success with the finances can make the South
quiet without firm control under the law OF the
dsarected elements, Will this firm administration
OF the law and the peace 1t VIII insure win do much
to carry Us through our money troubles il we can
only keep out OF the hands Of the currency Doctors
The debt ia not great by comparison with what the
resources OF the country will be few years II we
assist peace TO develop those resources and that is
the way to reduce the debt and solve the currency
problem.n
at may be true,n said, sthat the growth Of the
country win solve these problems, but may the pco
pie hope that the problems will be left TO such
solution -
1--WE shall soon be through with the present Trea-
sury Department; but then. no one can say into
what hands we may fall There must be some
where in the country the ability to manage our
finances and WIN ind it found the skill to
manage our armies. The most natural place TO look
for Secretary OF the Treasury Is New York city.
That Is tue money centre OF this Continent, and IN
the future will probably he the money centre OF the
world, and the President might choose there, per-
haps. from among the great merchants or bankers
one OF good character and practical TALENT ana such
man would have too much sagacty 10 indulge IN
theories. Theories
seems inevitable"
Grants frInness with the South.n
..Yes,n said the SENATOR ''the night before the i'm
parchment vote was taken Grant went 10 see
sIn the spirit,n said, inquirngly. lin which one
calls the VINO is to be President tomorrow
'sYeS,n was the answer; "in that spirit. +"
$50 completely thought, were even the best in
formed men convinced that Johnson could be re-
moved and give place TO Old Ben. But what was It
that Grant, OF all silent men in the world was 80
eager to sayY What was there he was so urgent to
communicate to the President that he could not
clothed his successor with his powerf''
eyes" sald the senators ne went IN that spirit
he went TO urge upon Waae ahe reapp9ih'WMe,n a,
Grant urged upon Johnson as an actual and
Wade a. q possible President he Will proba-
bly, do HIMSELF that Sheridan's appointment to
his former district may be looked upon as possibly
OF the first things to be done under the next ad
ministration. And this Is an earnest Of peace and
an indication OF the temper in which the new al
mnistration will take hold Of reconstruction. Sheri-
dan In Louisiana is an eplt0me or the whole story.
1t means reconstruction OF the nation according To
the will Of the Norththat Is, according to the Will
or the people who stood by the government and not
according 10 the Will OF those who sought to destroy
it-reconstruction on conditions laid down by the
cOnqueror who Ia inclined to be generous and con-
nding, and who at worst VIII only be 80 nrm or so
harsh as the ugliness and III will OF the conquered
compes him to be in order to assert and enforce his
purpose. This is the reconstruction we will have
under Grant. The South may be bitter. and fierce
and denunciav0ry, and no doubt viii be
till 1t finds out that all that does
no good, and then it Will be amiable enough. The
South will recover the satisfactory tone OF mind IL
had just after Lees surrender In those days the
men OF the South claimed but little and would have
been quite content to be sure that their property
would be left To them. We spared their lives and
spared their property OF our own WILL Perhaps IL
was not quite wise to spare all their lives. Some
choice between Lee and Je Davis, Lee was The worst
for his was the clearest case OF ambition"
'.lie also claims to stand on the dangerous notion
s'Even that was an after thought. He hestated
between the two sides In this fight only TO ascertain
which side would afford him The best chance. He
did not know 1t and went over But to return To the
Southern men generally. We spared their lives and
leave them the privilege to make the laws that are
to rcestabsh the relations Of the Southern states
to the rest Of the country"
els 1t possible that the old quarrel between Grant
and Butler can be made to interrupt the harmony Of
relations between Congress and the Executive ~
he has too much ability and perception to become
responsible for putting Congress in the wrong
nearer than many know to being President or the
United States to-day. Lincoln wanted Butler to run
on the ticket with him for Vice Presldent-t0 hold
the place on the ticket subsequently given to John
son. myself went down to Butler at Fortress Mon
roe a. Lincoln's messenger in this matter. Butler
thought the Vice Presidency an exceptonable
It may be judged that Butler had not then fallen
upon his theory that assassination Is part OF our
system.