The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1869-01-13

4 NORFOLK, VA, Jan. S.-Twenty soldiers sent to
Princess Ann county against fifty negroes who resist
ed legal process when conflict ensued in which a
sergeant was mortally wounded, and three negroes
killed. The commanding officer calls for reinforce
ments, saying the negroes of the surrounding country
are arming and threaten an open attack.
ALEXANDRIA, VA. Jan. s.-Hon. John H. Bolts died
at his home in Culpepper county, this morning at one
O'Clock His funeral will take place in Richmond Sun
day.
A Hall Hour with Gen Grant-His Decision
IN REFERENCE TO THE MISSISSIPPI LEvEE BOMBS.
The Missouri Democrat (Radical) says ga distin-
guished citizen of st. Louis, professional gentleman
of reliable Judgment" has recently returned from
i Washington, where lie had introduction to Gen.
Grant and thus relates the characteristics Of the inter-
view
1t was my good fortune this morning to spend q
short time with the man to whom more than to any
other, the eyes of the nation are present turned
The headquarters of the armies of the United States
is unassuming tWo-story building, formerly private
residence directly opposite the Navy Department. In
company with friend, your correspondent presented
himself inqulring of an orderly in the hall if the Gen
eral wasn Receiving an affirmative reply, our cards
were sent up. Ina few moments we were requested
to walk up stairs to the Generals office
i His Office is front on the second floor about
sixteen feet by eighteen Il isscarpeted with an in
grain carpet of bright cheerful coIors giving the room
the air of paror rather than that of business Office
4 There two windows in front and one at side.
4 By the side window is low desk for member of his
staff Near it is table about six feet long covered
With piles and bundles of official documents and tied
with the inevitable red tape Grants desk-a COM
mon office desk&ris between the front windows. 4
frame covered with suspended maps and half dozen
chairs complete the furniture.
! When entered, the General was out In mo-
ment he entered by side door. No could fail to
recognise him instantly. The likenesses one sees
everywhere very like indeed. They do not fatter,
as is usually the case neither do they make him
younger than he really appears. The pictures see
of johnson are not like him !; he is SO much older;
more wrnkled and care-worn than they represent him.
Not So however, with Grant. The pictures of the
Shops the parlors and cabins srikng!y the repre-
sentations of the man.
Grants countenance is pale, and has an expression
| Of sadness. He has noticeable stoop Of the shoul-
ders, and walks with shufdng gate lie looks like
man burdened with anxiety, and as if it was
by strong effort of the will that he bearing up
against it. determined that he would not yield to it
be affected by 1t.
He dressed in plain suit of black, with nothing
whatever about his person or office to indicate bis
rank.
After cordial greeting, he offered US seats, and in
N ysfE ys sa slE 1 t3 s9RSsdi4 @
Judge -, of Louisiana
"General,H said the Senator, g Judge -- wished
to see you few moments and consult with you in
gard to the improvement Of the evees of the lower
MlSSSSlppl. w e WISH the On1tea states government
to indorse, and thus guarantee the bonds of the State
ofLousana for the restoration and Improvement of
the levees. :"
q hope the Government will not do it, the Gen
era replied with quick positive utterance that was
not only decisive and final that subject but almost
stunning.
{: But, General urged the Senator, g we only wish
the United States to ndorse the bonds that
sell them without ruinous discount giving the United
States ample security for the entire amount that it
would be impossible for the Government to lose cent
in any emergency,
Agaitt Grant quickly interrupted, II never knew
government to become responsible for any amount
thatit did not ultimately have to pay If that given
you will soon waut to egsate FOR the payment Of the
bonds"
While are discussing on all sides" said Grant,
!" how the national debt is to be paid shall oppose.
any increase Of the national obligations"
sItis impossible to cultivate gogrlands Interrupted
the Senator ssThe Ieyees are absolutely necessary"
s. | know all about the leyees,n he answered. sI
served in that country when young man, aud / had
something to do myself with the breaking of those
leyecs." f-
Z " But said the Judge, "millions Of acres of the
best land in the world is subject to overflow"
e Let them overflow, and etthem stay under watero
said Grant, until their willing that North
ern menaud Northern capital should come in and pro-
teet and improve them. Northern men with ample
capital ready to mtke garden Of your State and
you wont let them do it. Your@lafge landhodels are
as hostile to the United States Government to-day as
they have ever been; and that government should
rebuild their evees it would not Chang them particle.
knew no way the Government could have adopted.
for the rebuilding the eyees but TO have conscated
the lands Of shose engaged III rebellion, and used the
proceeds to restore the country As that DONE
nothing remains but to set your negroes to work. and
to invite in and welcome Northern men,
@s General, y said the Judge, the negroes won't
work"
Wort work, Grant quietly replied, "they'H work
if you will pay them for it,
q Am not right?" he added. 10 Is there not such
hostility to Northern men that it amounts in most
sections of the State practical exclusion of them
from the agricultural interests Of the couutry2 Is there
not an unwingness to divide up the lands, and sell
them small parcels those who might immigrate
and is there not general tendency secure the
ices Of the negroes without prompt and adequate
pensaton?p
81 must say, said the judge, g that there is more
Or less Of truth III all these points, ~
aThen," said Grant, :. think you Bllaye to build
your own levees wait under water until YOU are
wiling ,leh should come in who will build them"
The aboye, thongh not all that said, gives the
substance and spirit Of the conversation 1t shows
much more plainly than any statement thatI have
seen precisely where the President elect now stands
ithreference to the South.
The conversation shows that whatever he may here
after do, lie stands by his past record He means
that citizen of the United States shall be recognised
as such, and secured aud protected in his rights and
privileges in every Sate that the freedom of the freed
man shall be recognised and his labor fairly eompen-
sated that tue national obligations shall not be in
creased, and that the promoters OF the late at the
South shall not be aided by the Government in repair
ing the damages oceasioned by the war.
The result Of the interview was strong conviction
that Grant Radical in the most radical sense of the
political term, that all parties, North and South would
do wisely TO recognise the fact and act accordingly
That he will follow the Of johnson and abandon
tue party that elected him. and to any extent identify
himself with his enemies opponents in the war, is
contrary TO the character of the man. and his present
positive and clearly expressed convictions.
Grants manner is that OF quiet ease perfect self
reliance, and the most positive convictions He ex
presses his ideas in short sentences and in low tone
OF voice. Although there is arenarkable quietness in
his manner there is at the time marked positive
ness outtenanee such degree indeed that one feels
that there is very little in replying to an adverse
opinion. Though there nothing approximatnastos to-
yet there that poSitiveness in Ills first
short response to the Louisan, Senator ana the Judge
that he left them neither heart nor hope to plead their
cause further It clearly evident that what they
sad alter that deeuee Of themselves rather
with the hope Of making impression tker ,ine
tor,