The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-08-18

A Talk with Mr.. John Quincy Adams
Sweeping tho Political Horixon-. he
Plots ofButler-The HePubhcan Party
beyond H Hedemption-1he Dsmocracy's
Path 70 Fictory-Ho1nan the Coming
Man-t:hase Odious TO the south-Thc
Sleeping Lion.
Few OF the readers Il TnE News have fr-
gotten the young Massachusetts, statesman, OF
hist ric name and lineage, whose visit TO our
STATE, and speeches here during the Presiden-
tial campaign last fall, created so remarkable
stir. This gentleman is now looming up con-
spicuously as candidate for the Democratic
nomination for Governor Of his native state.
The convention which is to make the noHaina-
ton meets this week. The New York Sun pub.
fishes q long account Of an interview held BY
one Of it's reporters with Mr. Adams, which is
quite interesting. Aher eliciting the views OF
Mr.. Adams on the local politics Of Massachu-
setts, in the course Of which it was limited
that the notorious Butleris echsming to obtain
Henry Wilson's seat in the United States Sen
g 9, the reporter asked: "Can you tell me, Mr.
Adams, in whatestimate General Grant is held
by the Republicans OF New EngIaud2"
BULL IN CHINA eHoP.-
Mr.. Adams smiled aud replied: "They are
in terrible AZ. They ale mortified, chag-
rined, disgusted with their President, and
don't know how to help themselves. They
can't control him; nobody can control him !;
and he has no. political ability to control
ecuti7e oAice, and feels It. State matters are
bore to him. Statesmen and politicians are
not congenial companions to him. He dis
likes their conversation and shuns it, thus
shutting himself out from the advice and IN
formation President always needs. BE pre-
fers the companlonship Of horse Jockeys aud
retired merchan who have plenty Of money
to spend, but who know nothing. Of public af-
fairs and care lees. The Republican party in
New England is an arislocratic party, and dis
likes the course General Grant is purruipg.
But they can't help themseyes, aud they feel
the modification all the NOR, keenly on that
account"
"How do you account for the singulsr for
sign policy of his administration? asked.
MK. YTsH's FOREIGN POLICY.
"The foreign policy. 80 far as it is develop
ed, !" he replied, II attribute exclusively to the
influence and direction of MIR. Fish. It is
popularly known. suppose, that the Presi-.
dent and all the Cabinet, with the possible ex-
ception Of the Attorney. General, were dispos-l
ed to adopt, in our relations both with Spain
and England, very dangerous and threaten
ing policy. Mr.. Fish was Arm in his opposi-
ion to such course, and l think the result
will prove the Weldon OF the policy he has
stamped upon the administration. There was
q time, Immediately after their utterance,
when the whole country ssemed carried away
with Mr.. Summers views as expressed in his
famous speech; but calm and deliberate redec-
ton has convinced the most OF us OF the tai
lacy of those views. Mr.. Fish had the saga
city to detect the errsr OF them at the time.
and the courage to face public opinion in oppos-
ing them. Ieonfees that do not clearly un-
his singular attitude toward Cuba. But I
have confidence in bis eminent abilities as
statesman, and feel assured that he will man
age these delicate effairs 30 as to evolve wise
solution"
'.Do you not think" suggested, 'that the
country sympathizes with the Cubans IN their
struggle for freedom, aud that the influence
Se SaSss HIf government Sh0o'a Do '1sf'e' In 'ns'f
TERRITORIAL ACQUISITIONS.
"Ihardly think, be replied, "that the mass
about that struggle -rpe people OF New Eng.
land arc not concerned about 1T; The West
considerable feeling on the subject. which is
carefully nursed and Kept alive by interested
parties. There are many Cubans residing in
New York, ano that city has large and prof.
table trade with Cuba. Hence their interest in
this struggle. But that interest is BY no
means general throughout the country. 1t is
true, suppose, that the country would Like to
acquire Cuba. That acquisitiyeness is one fd q
like Cuba, but We would like the greater por-
ton of Mexico, all of Canada, and perhaps
other contiguous territory. It may be, too,
that We. are destined to possess all this CONT.
nent, and more, too, Tor al know. But very
much question whether 80 great territorial e1-
tension will benefit us much"
THE SOUTH DEMooRAT1c-How THE NEGROES
WILL VOTE.
'You took q run through the South last
year, Mr.. Adams" remarked. "Whst was
the result Of your observations in that direc-
tloa? Can the Republican party retain the
control of that section of the country"
"By no means" he replied. tAs fast as the
States have restored to them their political
privileges and rights, they will rcassert their
independence OF this ruling power. 1t is all
nonsense to suppose that the labor Of that sec
tion will forever subject itself to the control of
few adventurers. At present tho negroes
are kept iu state Of political excitement and
sem-antag to the Southern people for
partisan purposes. Eut really the negroes care
nothing about politics. II lett to themselves
they would scarcely ever assert their political
rights. Not that I would have thcm denied
those rights, or restrained from exercising
them; but it is not in their nature or dis
positions to care for them. In the cities they
may, and probably will always lake an ac-
tive part in party contests; but the mss OF the
negroes. as is we'll known, are scattered in
small colonies on distant plantations, and after
this unBatu al excitement passes away, and
they are left to themselves, politics will be the
least Of their concerns, except once year,
when their employers will ask them to the polls
to vote. Then, Of course. they will vote what
ever ticket their employers or oyerseers put
into their hands. go tho political power IN
that section will very soon lapse into the hands
of those who have always welded it. And
they are now beginning to see this inevitable
tendency. Hence their readiness to accept
reconstruction under the present plan. They
know that while set of carpet-baggers are
temporarily placed iu power, 1t is but STEP
ping stone to their own restoration to political
supremacy"
TEE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
"What is your opinion OF the prospects, of
the adoption OF the fifteenth amendment to
the Constitution 2" asked.
II think" he replied, "that it will make but
little difference whether it is adopted or not.
It is inconsistent With the former portion OF
the constitution, and is therefore invalid. IF
declared adopted, when the Democratic party
comes into power it will simply ignore it."
s'Would the Supreme Court pronounce it in
valid because OF that Inconsistency ?" asked.
THAT FARCE, TIE SUPREME COURT.