The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-12
MISSISSIPPI.
Interview of General Jonah TarbeII with the
Prcsidcnt-The Political situation in the
SOuthwcst-Csrant Speaks for Himself.

Interview of General Jonah TarbeII with the
Prcsident-The Political situation in the
SOuthwcst-Grant Speaks for Himself.
General Tarbell, secretary of the Repub
lican Executive Committee of Mississippi, had
an interview with President Grant at the resi-
dence of Secretary Fish, in New York, on the
9th inst. His object was to ascertain defnit sy
the Presidents views on political affairs in the
southern States, and Mississippi especially,
and also to present to him the condition Of the
parties there. SO significant We're the remarks
of the President that, at the solicitation OF
leading Republicans in Washington, to whom
he has related the conversation, General Tar
bell has given the substance Of the Presidents
views, as expressed on that occasion.
General Tarbell at the opening Of the inter-
view said: If an apology was deemed neces-
sary for intruding on the Presidents privacy,
it must be found in the nature of his business,
which was to ask Of the President and his Ad-
ministratiOn some expression, by act or deca-
ration as to the parties in Mississippi, and ask an
early decision, as there was crisis in the con-
dition of affairs in that State which definite
action showing the sympathy of the Admins
tration would greatly aid to a right solution.
Some days since, he General Tarbell) had
| with the chairman of the executive committee
| and others visited Washington, in order to eX-
plain their affairs, believing then, as now, that
| the PreSident'S Sympathies, as well as those of
| the Cabinet were with the loyal party, and in
| opposition to the one that only sought to
divide and betray it.
The President took up the conversation at
this point, expressing pleasure at the visit,
entering its purpose with spirit, showing his
| minute knowledge of the situation in Mssis-
sippi. He remarked, at the beginning, upon
the very small number Of Republicans who
| were engaged in what is termed the ''NatiOnal
| Republican party'' movement there. With
regard to the special business presented to
him by Gen. Tarbell his assurances were eX-
plcit and direct.
The President said that, in his Judgment,
| the small number Of those who had hitherto
acted with the so-caled National Republican
party was in itself evidence that they could
not be otherwise than used by the Opposition.
With regard to the recent professions made by
those who were lately rebels the President
was emphatic and frank.
His only desire was peace and amity, and he
would do anything that was right to bring
that about. But these people cast suspicious
| upon their own motives by the fact that all
their efforts seem to be aimed at dividing, not
aiding, the Republican party in their midst.
| If they were really in earnest, they would not
be so anxious about those with whom they
acted. To sincere men it could not be dlfii-
cult to tell who in the south were and had
been the Administration friends.
He talked at some length on the recent con-
test in Virginia. He thought, from Governor
Walkers speeches since his election, that that
gentleman was fully committed to the Ad-
ministration, and was honestly intending to
act up to them. Referring to the proposal
made by Col. jenkins to unite the two wings
of the Republican party there, the President
expressed regret at the apparent failure to ac-
complish so desirable an object, remarklng
that the letter of DR.. Gilmer in reply showed
that the followers of Walker We're not all in
good faith. He still hoped, however, that
good would come out of Virginia, but did not
at present exactly see how.
The conversation lasted for about an hour
and a half, and during the whole time most OF
it was carried on by the President himself
The utmost franllness was displayed by him,
and on General Tarbel's expressing his gratl-
tude for and qualification at the assurance
given him, the President replied that, in his
conversation with the gentlemen representing
the new Republican party in Mississippi, nc
had expressed himself much more emphati
cally against their course and policy than ht
was now doing. He declared positively thai
his sympathies were altogether with the Re
publicans of Mississippi, and against all efforts
10 dlNide them, coming from Whatever source
they might.
! When it was suggested that great goo(