Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-03-31
xx.oevssnsr yests's fmprsssleus.
Wlanrxarax. March Is. less


Editors Nashville Union and Americans
When left Nashville ssme 'su gay
ago for short visit to this city, prom
ised various friends that ! wou'a en-
deavor to make known to them the true
condition of sffairs here, concerning
which know that the good people o
Tennessee are feeling much curiosity
and solicitude; and l have thought i
hest. in this manner, 10 make known the
resuit of INV OBJ servations, as in doing sc
+ shall avoid the trouble of writing let
tere.
/ have seen President Grant at church,
| have seen him at the Presidents man
sion; and have inquired diligently Of
those able to inform me correctly, and
who know are incapable Of deceiving
me. both in relation to his temper, his
intellect, and his wishes and intention ;
and am highly grstified at being able
to declare the conviction which feel,
that, in all respects, he is admirably ht-
ted to execute the high and important
mission to which the Partially of his
countrymen has called him, and that
there is abundant reason to hope for q
speedy restoration Of public repose and
general prosperity from his wise and pa
triotic exercise of the powers entrusted
TO him. All men of standing and dis
cernment here admit that he is man Of
clear and discriminating intellect; of
the utmost s,eadiness of purpose as to
all important matters, without any un-
amiable obstinacy as TO non-essentlal
points; that he is, to most unusual ex-
tent, free from prejudice and passion,
and that he is devotiHg ell bis energies,
with patient and untiring assiduity, TO
the promotion of the nations happiness
/ shall not attempt to go into particulars
at present (though did l choose to do go
il woald be quite in my power), but l
shall content myself on this occasion
with saying that l have never yet seen q
man in the Presidential csice. who
seemed to me to be more fully entitledto
general confidence and support than our
present Chief Magistrate. If he shall
not prove q blessing 10 his country ard
fully meet the most sanguine expecta-
tons of his present friends and admirerF,
then, indeed, shall | be willing to confess
that with most favorable opportunities of
judging of him calmly and accurately, :!
have fallen into the most signal and
error of my life.
1t rejoices me much to say that there
is q great improvement going on in the
tone and bearing Of both Houses of Con-
gress; unirersal amnesty is almost upon
all lips; and have not the least doubt
that early in the next session OF the body,
if prompt and graceful submission on
the part Of the people of the Southern
States to the reconstruction policy OF
Congress shall be in the meantime
eyinced, all Of these States will be fully
in the national Legislature,
ard with increased influence also here
after, by reason of the increase in the
number of our voting population which
will have taken place.
Whatever nay be the fears OF others
on the subject, | do not myself at all fear
that there will be any legislation at the
present session calculated to operate OPP
upon either of the States of
The South, unless some uuwise action On
their part shall provoke it, which ] hope
will not occur. Surely we have suffered
in the South sufficiently already from
conflicting with the deliberate legislation
Of those who, undoubtedly, have our fate
10 their hands, and ! trust that hereafter |
we shall have less OF fiery defamation |
and impolitic denunclation, both among |
The public speakers of our section and
The editors of newspapers, and more of
practical good sense aud statesmanlike |
The new President and |
Congress are surrounded with great diff |
,ulties and embarrassments. aud so long |
10 they shall pursue a moderate, just and
course, it does seem 10 me |
hat it will be alike juiicious and patri-
,tic to refrain from Ill hasiy aud fac,ious
opposition TO those in power.
The two Houses OF Congress- appear
% differ very widely at this moment in
-egard to what would be the wisest
action to be taken touching the Tenure
3f0Hice law. Whether il will be re.
aimed in its present form, repealed, or
modified, am not exactly able to predict,
bat do venture to hope, ana do most
strongly believe, that nothing can induce
1as jps:-minded and msgnanimous Pres
dent to cnu, mence a sweeping proscrip-
loo of officials on mere party ground,
Dr. knowingly TO turn out any individual
rejected from place which be has
xorthily filed 10 order to make way for
ess patriotic or less meritorious sue
,essor. The exterior pressure on him will
De very great indeed, out sm persuaded
hat be has sufficient frmness to resist
bis pressure, so far, at least, as the pub
lie welfare shall demand.
There are no indications yet as to the
decision Of the Supreme Court 10 our
Tennessee franchise case, but / am, for
several existing ressons, quite hopeful
Of the result
Congress will probably adjourn about
Two weeks hence. Should any event &C
eur which would be at ell likely to intes
rest my friends and neighbors at home,
may probably communicate the ssma to
The Union and American
a. s. FoorR.