Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-11-26
WHAT OF GRANT ?

Gen. Grant was very reticent during |
the presidential canvass, so much SO that |
Wendell Phillips declared that no man |
knew his position touching the question |
of impartial suffrage, but now that he is
elected, if we credit the Jenkinses and
penny liners who have watched him
closely since the result of the election
was known, he has become one Of the
most garrulous men to be found in the
country. 1t is questionable, however
whether Gen. Grant would recognise
himself in the various representations of
him drawn for the benefit Of a wondering
people. According to the reports given
to the public, especially those coming
through Radical channels, he would be
able to satisfy even Wendell Phillips as
to his views upon any question. It's
very evident that the Radicals have be-
como distrustful of Grant, and hence
they are laboring to create public
opinion that will force him into their
ranks if he shows any hesitation. The
character Of this work is shown by the
Washington correspondent of the Balti-
more Gazette, who states that " dis
tinguished Radical Senator" who arrived
there on the 18th inst, declares that "the
idea now becoming so prevalent of Gen.
Grants conservative views will prove de-
lusiye." This distinguished Radical
Senator bases this declaration upon his
knowledge of Grants political faith, as
derived from the General Immediately
after his nomination by the Chicago Con-
yention. Among other things, he says
Grant emphatically declared to him full
Endorsement of negro suffrage, enforced,
if necessary, by congressional action. In
a protracted conversation on the subject
between the General and a number Of
Radical congressman, he said he had been
at one time opposed to extending the
right of franchise to freedmen, but that
his views had undergone radical change
on that question, and that he now Ie'
garded it as essentially necessary for
their protection that they should be
armed with the ballot. This "distin-
guished Radical Senator is further re-
ported as saying that during the
latter portion of the last session of Con-
gress Grant was in the lead on all radi-
cal measures, and favored the most radl-
cal method of executing the several re-
| construction acts" 1t is rather remark
able that it has just now come out that
| Grant was so much of a Radical as he is
here represented to be, and it is wonder
full that none of the Washington CORES
pondents who usually manage to find out
every thing that is transpiring, neVel
heard of these strong declarations OF the
General. 1t seems that one correspond
ent has succeeded in worming something
out of Grant as to his position. The
New York Times sent one Of the pryinG
class to Galena, who states that he hac
numerous conversations with Grant bOtf
before and after the election, and ht
gives that journal the result of these in
terviews, which is published by the
Times for the purpose of Strengthening
the doubling. This correspondent say!
of Grant:
He is committed infexibly to the wal
party Of the nation, and he has no tOlera'
ton for the Copperhead wing of The
Democracy. Whenever he has occasion
to refer to the Democracy at all, he ap'
plies the term "Copperhead," for he only
recognizes two parties in the land, one
with the Rebels and the other with the
loyalty of the nation.
"Magnanimity and generosity are
largely developed in Grants nature. tie
is punctiIious about observing the terms
Of the parole given the surrendering
Rebels, so long as it is not broken by
them. Hence his unyielded opposition
to any interference with Lee by Andy
johnson, while Lee kept the plighted
faith. The day following his
election he said to me: "pd like to see
the tone of the Rebel papers now.
imagine they will quiet down as they did
after Lees surrender"
Speaking of Rebel impotence is demand
ing power. etc, he detailed to me his
toric instance Of peculiar import. lie
said
1.-The morning that Lee surrendered
he rode out between the lines, and
went out and met him, and we had a
couple of hours talk. Lee said he hoped
| would offer as magnanimOus terms to
the other Confederate armies as he had
received. | told him he should, if he
wished to serve his friends, go to the
other armies in person, and prevail upon
them to surrender. He said he would
wish to see Mr.. Davis first. didn't en-
| courage a conference with Mr.. DAVIS, so
that suggestion ended. But what l
wanted to call your attention to was this:
Lee thought the Southern people would
be perfectly satisfied to give all their pro,
perry, and all they expected of the gov
| eminent was to be secured in life and
| right to 90 back unmolested to try and
live industriOusly and peaceably in this
government But as for ever having any
choice in the government, or exercising
political rights, why they neither thought
of nor expected any such thing
! These are words from Grants own
lips since his election to the Presidency.
And he is not a sluggard in statesman
ship. He will not be found stubbornly
asserting his old-time views against the
progress of the age. He will swim with
every tidal swell, and grow with the
country's growth"
This view will be very satisfactory to
the ultra Radicals, but the Washington
correspondent of the New York Herald
makes statement as to Grants position
toward the Confederates which is well
calculated to excite doubt as to the cor
rectness Of the Times correspondents
version. According to the HeratdS
correspondent, Gen. Grant said to for
mer Rebel" soldier:
Whether you were Confederate or
A Union man makes 10 difference now.
| That is all over, you know, and should
| be forgotten. The sooner the distinction
is ignored the sooner we will have peace"
There is marked difference in the