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

Hope for the Election Of Seymeur-ine hevo-
hutton to Reach It's Ciimax-An inaepehoent
South in the Fufure-Hs Opinions OF Joseph
K. Brown and James Gordon Bennett'
MOBILE, Oct. IL, 1862
mo anro,noamept NJ the death Of Howell Cobb,
10 suddenly and unexpectedly, has occasloned con-
sderable regret here az will throughout the South,
where he was so well and fayoraby known. II also
enables your correspondent 10 repeat conversation
held with the deceased In August last and In doing
10 IL ia 10 be hoped that no one will regard the act
acking in respect for the dead Two visits to Macon
and one to Athens for the purpose OF seeing General
cobb had failed in their object, but the fourth was
successful. An acquaintance passing period OF
several years brought a cordial welcome, and after
matters OF purely social and personal nature had
been discussed the real purpose OF the visit was
PRODUCED.
"General,n remarked, las have before, I once
again desire TO have your views the political stu.
alton. Your speech in Atlanta last month Is being
used by the radical newspapers with considerable
effect and desire to know II the sentiments atri
buted to you by them are really yours,
al do not care what the radical newspapers Of the
North say about me-" he replied. 'That speech OF
NINE in Atlanta was the first | delivered since the
war ended. and If was abused when kept silent
what need | expect when do say something !
have written letter denouncing the manner in
peace earnestly as any man in the country;
have accepted the situation and intend to adhere
the terms Of my parole faithfully, but will never
accept tine kind OF peace proposed by the radical
party. We are either an integral part OF the Union
or conquered people. II the first, claim the same
rights Georgia New York POSSESSES If the last,
let understand it fully that we may decide
among ourselves on such policy win IN the fu-
ture lead us to liberty. But this halfway measure
viii not suit the Southern people. Constitutional
amendments and legislative enactments which
make political outcasts OF some OF our best men and
which re duce TO n state OF political vassalage the
whites OF the South win not bring about lasting
"But thought, Generai,n remarked, 'that you
were at one time In favor Of the fourteenth amend
ment to the constitutions
80 was, Captain Tor little Whilen he
swered. LUCKILY did not so express myself pub
hcly, for after giving the amendment careful con-
sideration saw that IL would not do. regard thai
amendment as the most dangerous encroachment
the reserved rights Of the states that been
attempted by the party IN power.n The General then
gave ms reasons for TINS opinion, which we're mainly
that IL gave to Congress almost unlimited power
over the States in the matter OF suffrage and repre-
sentation IL was, IN his opinion direct blow at
our system OF government.
what then, do you propose as means OF restor-
ing peace and healing the differences between the
two SectiOnSD
IAN abandonment Of every measure of reconstruc-
ton and recognition OF every Southern state
equal OF every Northern state. Unless this Ii done
there Will be no peace and cannot be any. The
store the Union after hostilities had ceased. Had
they been met in friendly spirit we would now
would have fought aside OF the Northern soldier,
under the same banner, against foreign enemy,
with as much courage and ndety as he md indie
pendence. TINS feeling almost dead In the south.
Radical legislation with Its military and civil des-
potisnl, has embHered our people, and many OF
them have begun 70 look with utter loathing upon
government which deliberately attempts 10 make
the slave OF Yesterday rule men who have ever pos
Sessed the highest order Of freedom. Captain, you
not 30 blind as not TO have perceived that there
Il less Unionsm ut the South To-Day than there has
been at any time within your recollection. And
upon the result Of the pending election depends
whether the Union feeling shall be revived or killed
lore err"
''And what do you think OF the prospecty'
bad lie replied. II am AFRAID that we cannot
elect seymour. lie is q good and able man, but ne
cannot stem the current Of this revolution II must
reach lis climax. Grant himself will endeav0r to
stay IT. but he, too, VIII be swept away; we have
seeing license III the name OF liberty. The next step
n anarchy and renewal OF hosthites, which win
IAN, General the same thing was said in 1907
80 it was, Captain; but the lion was not armed.
Is that he Will be elected-and that viii be the
suit. Congress will be compelled to adopt measures
for the Southern states similar TO those adopted In
Tennessee for unless the whites OF the South are all
dslranchiSed II will be impossible TO make radical
States OF these and just sure We are permitted
TO vote Just SO certain are we 10 destroy the radical
party. Give us anything like freedom OF speech and
OF action and we Will not only Kill the party here
hui, aided by the Northern democracy we Will Kill
II ut the North. The radical leaders know this and
seli-preservaton Will compel them to adopt harsh
measures for the south. Despotism here Will
eventually react upon the North. one half OF tins
country cannot long remain free while the other
half Is In state OF vassalage. When the Northern
people are MADE to feel the same tyranny which we
are now feeling there will be revolution al the
North and 1t Is merely matter OF time Tor Its &C.
currence. Revolution at the North makes the
arbiters and then the radical party will not only be
exterminated, but the Southn-here the General
but the South ~ queried
.mil be an independent republic" And after a
ChnFI nam n Va nm I'm N
day, but you NAV. Jen Davis truly said That al
though our cause was lost the principles for which
prevailed after the war ended we wollo have had a
lasting Union, but our great idea OF republican 60
vernment would have triumphed in the end. Ex-
tremlsts have prevailed aud will continue to
prevail Tor some years to come. Captain, We have
long and dreary prospect before Us; put believe
dom comes again there will be two governments IN
stead OF In their enort to prevent the possible
chance OF O southern conederacy the Northern
radicals are 30 acting as to make one inevitable
ut, General, do you not think that II the radicals
attempt 10 90 any further Grant WIN use his IN
fiuence against them and call upon Inc democracy
10 aid hmgn
mo- don't believe that Grant has any very great
popularity. II Ben Wade mad been the candidate
Tor Presidency, he would not have received vote
less than Grant will. repeat t1at the progress OF
on by any particular man. God knows | sincerely
wish that the prospect was brighter, but to me at
Inc conversation then turned to various topics,
until reference was made 10 Ex-Governor Joseph +.
Brown, when General Cobb said
"Do You remember, Captsfn that while was IN
command OF the troops below Griiiin in the fall OF
1oo4 you spent a night with meP trhe speaker
referred to the time when sherman was In Atlanta
and Just before he started his march To the sea-l
bowed an acquiescence.
40 YOU also Remember that in speaking about
this maa Brown ! predicted that II we were whip
ped he would be one OF the first to 60 over TO the
enemy You sec for yourself how my prediction
has been fulfilled. Joe Brown II one " the most
coutemptibe characters IN tile country. Elevated
into positions Of honor by the democratic party, he
has treacherously stabbed IL now that n IL not In
power, and he wal treat radcasm IN the same way
as soon as IL fails TO give MIN oiiice. LOOK upon
him 10 the United States government.
Tirfe VIII tell whether he Is sincere In his present
professions.
The conversation again changed, and various sub
jects were discussed, when the NEW YORK HERALD
and It's proprietor, MIR. James Gordon Bennett were
spoken Of General Cobb said Of Mr.. Bennett
al regard Bennett as the greatest man In political
life That this country has known. Placing aside the