The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1869-01-03
wuA~ eRu. eRAur SAYS.

A correspondent Of the Missouri Democrat
has recently had An interview with General
Grant, and reports for the press and the pub.
lie. We regard the views expressed By Gen.
sral Grant a. very judiciary, and as indicat-
ing spirit of independent Judgment, and
ou,-spoken honesty aud patriotism which
gives promise Of the best possible results in
the future.
We are greatly reioiced to know that Gen.
eral Grant will crush out the immense swim
dies concocted by political spectators to Sc
cure new lands and Government bond grants
for Pacific Railroads, and general assump-
ton Of all the debts the Southern Legisla-
lures may choose to contract, under pretence
OF internal improvements.
The writer says:
when we ENTERED the General was out. In a
moment he entered by side door. No one could
fail to recognize him instantly. The hkenesses
one secs eyeryWh are very like indeed They
DO nSt fatter, IS usually the case, reither 10
they make him younger than he really appears
TIE pictures we see Of johnson not like him; he
l. much older, more wrinkied and care worn than
they represent him. Not go, however, with
orsnt. Tn. pictures Of the shops, the psrlors and
cabins arc .trikingly true representations OF the
man,
Grants countenance is pale, and has An expires
sion OF sadness He has noticeable stoop Of the
shoulders, and Malks with = shu hing gate. He
looks like man burdeued with care and anxiety,
and ~ II it by strong effort Of the viii that
he Was bearing up against il, determined that he
would not yield TO 1t or be affected by It.
lie was dressed in plain suit Of black, with
nothing whatever about his person or office to in
dictate his rank
After cordial greeting he offered US seats, and
in very easy, familiar way, entered into conver>
sation. In few moments Senator was
| announced with Judge Of Louisiana.
sGenerai,' said the Senator, Judge wish
ed to see you few niomcnts and consult with you
| lower Mississippi VS. wish the Uaited States
Government to endorse, and thus guarantee the
| bonds Of the State of Louisiana for the resteia-
| ton an, Improvement of the levee-.'
q hope the Government will not oit, the Gen
| erai replied with quick, positive uttersnee that
/. 1as not only decisive and final on that subject
| but almost stunning.
/ But, General urged the Senator, we only with
/ the United States TO ndorse the bonds so that We
/ can sell them without ruinous discount, giving
the United State. ample security for the entire
| amount, so that it would DO impossible for the
| Government 10 lose a cent in any emergency.
Again Grant quickly interrupted, 4 never knew
government to become responsible for any
amount that it did not ultimately have to pay.
/ You now want the Endorsement Of the bonds If
/ that is given you will soon want to legislate for
/ the payment of the bonds.
General, said the Senator, lyon are too hard
| on u.s.
While we are discussing all sides said
Grant how the national debt is to be paid, shall
oppose any increase of the national obligations"
| 1t is impossible to cultivate our lands, inter-
posed the Senator. The leyees are absolutely
necessary
4 know all about tho levees,' he answered. 4
served in that country when young man. and
had something to do myself, with the breaking Of
those eyees
| But said the Judge, millions OF acres Of the
best land in the world subject to overflow
Let them overflow, and let them stay under
water said Grant until their owners are wiling
| that Northern men and Northern capital should
come In and protect and improve them. Northern
men with ample capital are ready to made gar
den Of your State and you won't let them do it.
Your large landholders as hostile to the United
States Government to-day as they have ever been;
aud if that government should rebuild their leyees
| it would not change them particle. know no
! way the government could have adopted for re.
| building the Ierees but to have condscated tho
lands Of those engaged in rebellion, and used the
/ proceeds to restore the country. As that was not
| done, Lothing remains but to set your negroes to
| work AMI invite in and welcome Northern men,
| ''N'- :.
work
Won't work. Grant quietly replied. they'll
work if You'll pay them for IT,
Am not right !? he added. is there net such
a hostility to Northern men that it amounts IN
most sections Of the State to practical exclus on
of them from the agricultural interests Of the
country? Is there not an unullingness to divide
up the lands, and sell in small parcels to those
who might immigrate; and is there not general
tendency to secure the services of the negroes
without promp. aud adequate compensation
Il must say, said the Judge, that there is more
or less oftruth in all these points
Chem said Grant, 4 think you will have 70
build your own leyees, or wait under water unit
YIN arc nrn .-in;~e, h@.,i1 ~~~-- - he ,'t
build them,
The above, though not all that was said, gives
the substance and spirit Of the conversation. II
shows much more plainly than any statement
have seen precisely where the President elect now
| stands with reference to the South.