The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-19
Progress OF RecOnstructiOn-The
Mississippi Delegation Asking
for the Admission Of the
State-Interview with
General Grant.
The Co1ored Peoples Conven-
tion-Address to the
President-elect.
FROM WASHING TON.
Despatch TO TIC Associated Press.

Convention from the 10th OF February to the
17ih of March, fearing that Congress- would not
act ia season to allow the people to consiGer
the proposition which may be made by Con.
gress, and TO select delegates as early as the day
heretofore designated.
The Mississippi Republican, Delegation
called on General Grant this morning. 1t
consists OF DIR. 7. s. Singer, Governor-elect
Bggleston, DR.. b. A. Foster, Major e. j. Costello
Captain Il. 7. Fisher, Captain G. e. Morgan,
Colonel l.. W. Perse, Captain G. r.. G. Cass,
General A. Alderson, and Hon. A. MygA.t.
Colonel Perse, member of Congress elect from
the Fifth district OF Mississippi inforned
General Grant that their object was TO secure
the restoration Of Mississippi to the Union
under the constitution voted on last summer.
General Grant replied that the Reconstruction
Committee had reported oll embodyiug sub.
stanualiy what the committee desired, and
in the course Of conversation about political
aleirs in the South, including those of Mississippi,
General Graut said that he wanted the mat
ter settled, as soon as possible, or before the
commencement OF his administration. The in
terView was satisfactory to the delegation.
Baltimore Councils Committee Wait on
General Grant-His Reply.
A committee of the Baltimore City Councils,
accompanied by their presiding officers, were
introduced to General Grant by Hon. Charles
E. Phelps, a memb;r OF Congress from Mary
land. The resolutions passed by Councils were
read. They express The most friendly feelings
for General Grant, and invite him to accept OF
the hospitalitIes OF Baltimore on Thursday next,
assuring him OF q cordial greeting by the
citizens.
General Grant replied that he was under obi
IL.
for their kind invitation, and would be very
glad to accept, il it were in his power. He sail
he had private engagements for both Thursday
| and Friday evenings, and in response to ques
ton. said he could not now name any hour 1t
would be convenient for him to receive the
citizens of Baltimore. If possible he woull
probably do so on Saturday; however, be would
see the committee again and name the place
and hour.
This morning the committee OF
The COlOred Mems National Con lon.
recently in session in this city, called upon
General Grant by appointment. Tue committee
contested of John NJ. Langston, Ohio; Robert
Purves, Pennsylvania; George o. Downing,
Rhode Island; William 8. Matthews, Maryland;
John +. Cook, District of ColumbiA; John Bow
ers, Pennsylvania; John 7. Gaskins, Rhode
Island; Alexander CLARK, Iowa; o. L. G. Hughes
Penn sylVania; A. M. Green, Pennsylvanla, and
C. e. b. viii, Chic. Mr.. Langston, the chair.
man of the committee, addressed General Grant
as folloWs:-
General Grant--In the name of four millions
of American citizens, in the name of seven hun
dIed thousand electors Of African descent, who
have braved threats, who have de6ed intimida-
tions; whose members have been reduced by
assassination and murder in their efforts
IN the exercise of franchise guaran-
teed by American law to every one clothed in
the full livery Of American citizenship,
10 secure in the late Presidential canvass the
election of the nominees of the National Be
publican party to the high places to which they
were named, we, the accredited delegates Of
the National Convention of C)lored Men, the
sessions OF whicnin this city have just closed
come to presentto you our congratulations upon
your election to the Presidency of the United
States.
Permit us, General, TO express. in,this con-
nection, our confidence in your ability aud de-
termiD alton to execute the laws already en-
4 acted by our National Congress, and to protect
the HE, the liberty, the rignts, no less of the
humblest subject of the Government than those
| Of the most exalted aud influential.
Called as you are to fill the cha OF stale, your
duties Will be arduous aud trying. especially
| since in this reconstruction period OF the Gov.
| eminent you will administer the Government
l according to the principles of morals and law
| ANNOUNCED by the fathers. In advance we b ing
| 10 you, Gencral. as a pledge OF our devotion to
| our common country and Government, the
| liveliest sympathy of the ColoTed people of
the nation. and in their name we express tue
hope that all things connected with the admin
| istIation OF the Government upon which you
| are so soon to enter rs our Chef Magistrate
| may be, under Providence, so ordered Tor tine
| maiptainance of law aud the peTpetuaIion of
| freedom, that your name, written high on the
| scroll OF honor and fame, NAV go down 10 pos
| terity glorious and immortal, associated with
the ames OF your illnsuiOus predecessors in
] the great chair o; state, Washington and Lin'
coin.
Grants Response.
To this address General Grant replied as fol-
loWs:-I thank the convention, Of which you
are the representatives, for the confidence they
| have expressed and l hope sincerely that the
/ colOred people Of the nation may receive every
protection which the laws give to them, AMI
| they shall have my efforts to secure such pro-
lection. They should prove by their acts, their
advancement. prosperity, and obedience to the
laws, as being worthy of all the privileges the
| Government has bestowed upon them, and by
their future conduct prove themselves deserving
\ of all they now claim.
i