The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1869-04-02
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Ex-Governor Foote'S Impressions,

left Nashville some ten days ago for a
short visit to this city, promised various
friends that would endeavor to make
known to them the true condition of affairs
here, concerning which 1 know shat the
good people of Tenne ssee are feeling much
curiosity aud solicitude ; and have thought
it best, IN this manner, to make known
the result of my observations, as in doing
so, shall avoid the trouble of writing
letters.
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
I know are incapable of deceiving me, both
in relation to his temper. his intellect, and
his wishes and intention and am highly
gratifed at being able to declare the con
dition which I feel, that, In all respects he
is admirably fitted to execute the high and
important mission to which the partiality
of his countrymen has called him, and
that there is abundant reason TO hope for a
speedy restoration of public repose and
8
triotic exercise of the powers entrusted to
him. All men of standing and discern
ment here admit that lie is man of clear
and discriminating intellect; of the ut
most steadiness of purpose as to all impor-
tant matters, without any unamiable obsti-
macy as to non-esseutial points that he is
to most unusual extent, free from preiu-
dice or passion, and that he is devoting all
his energies, with patient and untiring
assiduity, to the promotion of the nations
happiness. 1 shall not attempt to go into
particulars at present, (though, did 1 choose
to do so, it would be quite in my power y
but shall content myself on this occasion
with saying that I have never yet seen a
man in the Presidential office who seemed
to me to be more fully entitled to general
confidence and support than our present
CLief Magistrate. II he shall not prove a
blessing to his country and fully meet the
most sanguine expectations of his present
friends and admirers. Their, indeed, shall 1
be willing to confess that with most favo-
rable opportunities of judging him calm
ly and accurately, 1 have fallen into the
most signal and ridiculous error of my
life.
1t rejoices me much to say that there is
a great improvement going on in the tone
and bearing of both Houses of Congress !;
arai0ersaZ amnesty is almost upon all lips !;
and have not the least doubt that early in
the next session of the body, if a prompt
and graceful submission on the part of the
people of the Southern States to the recon
stru"tion policy of Congress shall be in
the meantime evinced, all OF these States
will be fully represented in the national
legislature, and with increased Influence
also hereafter, by reason Of the increase in
the number of our voting population
which will have taken place.
Whatever may be the fears of others on
this subject, do not myself at all fear
that there will be any Legislation at the
present session, calculated to operate op-
pressiVely upon either of the States of the
South, unless some unwise action on their
part shall provoke it, which l 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 in their hands,
and trust that hereafter we shall have less
of fiery defamation and impoltic denun-
citation, both among the public speakers of
our section, and the editors of newspapers,
and more of practical good sense and
statesmanlike cancellation. The new Presi-
dent and Congress are surrounded by great
difficulties and embar easements, and so
long as they shall pursue a moderate, just,
and constitutional course, it does seem to
me that it will be alike judicious and patri
otto 10 refrain from all hasty aud factioue
opposition to those in power.
The two Houses of Congress appear to
differ very widely at this moment in regard
to what would be the wisest action to be
taken touching the tenure of Office law
Whether it will be retained in its present
form, repealed, or modified, am not ex-
actly able to predict but do venture to
hope, and do most strongly believe, that
nothing can induce our just minded and
magnanimous President to commence a
sweeping prescription of officials on mere
party ground, or knowingly to turn out
any Individual selected from place which
he has worthily filled in order to make way
for less patriotic, or less meritoriOus
successor. The exterior pressure on him
will be very great indeed. but l am per-
suaded that he has sufficient frmness to
rasist this Dressure so far at least as the