The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-02
GENERAL GRANT.

ments.
STsm n..s &. L0uis Democrat, Dec. 90.
A distinguished citizen OF 81 Louis, protes-
lust returned rom Washington, where he had
an Introduction to the President elect, and very
pleasantly relates chsrsSierscs s G yns tbonSnt
and the Independent judgment OF the man
whom the people honor. We hope TO near itSn tSia
morning under his own title OF
AHALE HOUR WITH GENERAL GRANT.
To the Editors of the Missouri Denocrot;5I
was my good fortune this morning 10 speuu
short time with the man 10 whom, more than W
any other, the eyes Of the nation are ~ present
tuIned. ,-,
States is an unassumtng two story DuIlulns,
formerly a private residence, directly opposite
the Navy Department. In company WIN u
friend your correspondent presenter himselI,
iBquiriDg OF an orderly in he haii II tue Gehelu
was In. Receiving an affirmative reply, our
cards were sent up. In few moments we
were requested to walk up stairs to the GeneraPs
AIS office is q front room on the second floor,
about sixteen feet by eighteen; IL Is carpetSeh
with an ingram carpet OF prlsht. oheeria. sah,or
than that OF a business Office. There are Two
windows in front and one at one side By the
stsfr Near it Is a table about SIX feet long.
covered with piles and bundles 0t 3tiiclal docu'
GRANTS desk-a common Office desk between
she front windows frame covered with sus.
'hS Wnen we entered the General was out. In
nome ent he entered by q side door. No one
eould fail to recognize him Instantly. The like
nesscs one sees everywhere are very like in
deed They do not natter, as is usually the
aase neither do they make MIN younger than
he really appears. The pictures We see of John
wrinkled and carewoin than they represent
him. Not so, however, with Grant. Tne pio-
tures of the shops, the parlors, and cabins are
sirikineIy true representations OF the man.
Grants countenance is pale and mas an ex'
pression of sadness. He has noticeable stOop
OF tne shoulders and walks with shuflIng
gait. He locks like a man burdened with care
and and la as IL IL wsS Dy m ssroaS e1Et
determined that he would not yield to 1t or be
He was dressed In plain suit OF black, with
nothing whatever about his person or Office to
indicate his rank.
After q cordial greeting he offered us seats.
and in q very easy, familiar way entered into
conversation. In a few moments Senator -
was announced, with Judge - of louisiana
general" said the Senator, "Judge -
wished to see you q lew moments ana consult
Ma y09 6 S goTer 70 MssssiPp We wish % ths th
United States Government to endorse, ana thus
guarantee, the bonds OF the State OF Louisiana
jor the restoration and improvement of the
IL hope the Government will not do it," the
General replied, with 8 QUICK, positive utter.
anoe that was not only decisive and fin on
that subject, but almost stunning.
"But, General" urged the Senator I'VE only
wish the United Stat es tn indorse the bonds. so
that we can sell them Without ruinous dis
nt,R
for the entire amount, SO that it would be
impossible for the Government TO lose cent in
Again Grant quickly interrupted "I never
knew n government TO become responsible for
any amount that 1t did not ultimately have to
bonds. lfthat is given, you will soon want to
legislate for the payment Of the bonds"
General, said the Senator, you are too
'While we are discussing on all sides," said
Grant, show the national debt is to be paid,
shall OPPOSE any increase OF the national Obll-
"it is impossible to cultivate our lands in.
terposed the Senator. "rne leVees are abso.
"I know ali about the levees," he answered
ST served in that country when young man,
and had something to do myself with the
"But." said the Judge. millions of acres of the
best land In the world are subject to overflow"
"Let them overflow and let Them stay under
water" said Grant, "until their owners are will
Ing that Northern men and Northern capital
should come in and protect and improve them.
to make q garden OF your State. aud you won't
let them in it. Your large landholders are as
as they have ever been; and if that Govern.
ment should rebuild their levees 1t would moi
change them a particle. 1 know no way tue
Government could have adopted for rebuild ne
She leeves but to have conhiscated the lands o
ceeds 10 restore the country. AS that was mo no.
done, nothing remains but to set your negroes Il
work and invite in and welcome Northern
"aeneral." said the Judge. "the negroes won
work" 49,.
-They'n work Il you'll pay them fori
such o hostility to Northern men that
amounts In most sections of the State, to
practical exclusion of them from the agrlcultu
raj interests OF the country? Is there not al
unwiilingness to divide up the lands and sell il
small parcels to those who might immigrate
and Is there not a general tendency to secur
the services Of the negroes without prompt an
adequte compensation"
more or less of truth in all these points"
''Then," said Grant, ~ think you Will have {
build your own levees or walt under waite
until you are willing men should come in VIII
will build them"
The above, though not all that was said, give
the substance ana spirit OF the conversation
It shows much more plainly than any state
ment have seen precisely where the Presi
dent elect now stands with reference to tn
South.
may hereafter do he now stands by his pas
record. He means that q citizen of the Unte
States shall be recognized as such. and secure
every State; that the freedom of the freedman
shall be recognized and his labor fairly com
pensated tnss tae d sba h g s1e
late war at the South shall not be aided by tn
Government in repairing the damages ocoa
The result of the interview was strong con
viction that Grant is a radical in the most radi
cal sense OF the political term; that all partie
North and South would do wisely to recogniz
the fact and act accordingly. That he will fol
low the course of Johnson and abandon tn
party that elected bin, and to any extent iden
tify himself with his enemies and opponents Il
the war, is contrary to the character of The ma
and his present positive and clearly expressed
convictions
self reliance, and the most positive con nvictionE
He expresses his ideas in short sentences an
In low tone of voice. Although there is
remarkable Quietness in his manner, there 4
at the same time marked pO6itiyeDess of uttaI