Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-03-30

Ex-Goy. Foote'S Impressions.

| A-0Ohs
To the Editors of the Union and American.
| WASHINGTON, March %, 1S69.-Wher
| left Nashville some ten days ago for
short visit to this city, promised variou:
friends that would endeavor TO make
known to them the true condition OF affairs
here, concerning which l know that the
good people of Tennessee are feeling much
curiosity and solicitude; and l 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 Ptesidenfs 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, hisintellect,
and his wishes and intention; and am
highly grstifed at being abe to declare
the condition which which ! feel, that, in
all respects, he is admirably fitted to exc
cute the high and important mission 10
which the Partially Of his coontrymen
has called him, and that there is abundant
reason 10 hope for speedy restoration Of
public reposs and general prosperity from
his wise and patriotic exercise of the pow
ers entrusted to him. All men of stand
ing and discernment here admit that he is
q man of clear and discriminating intel
lect; of the utmost steadiness of purpose
as to all important matters, without any
unamiable obstinacy as to non-essenlial
that Ia ic to mammal
tent, free from prejudice and passion, and
that he is deVoting all his energies, with
patient and untiring assiduity, to the promo
tion of the nations happiness. shall not |
attempt to go into particulars at present,
(though, did choose TO do So it would be |
quite in my power;) but | shall content |
myself on this occasion with saying that | /
have never yet seen man in the Presi-
Dental Office who seemed to me to be more /
fully entitled to general confidence and /
support than our present Chief Magistrate
If he shall not prove a blessing to his
country and fully meet the most sanguine
Of his present friends and adj
mirers, then, indeed, shall l he willing to
confess that with most favorable opportu-
mites of judging of him calmly and accu-
rately, | have fallen into the most signal
and ridiculous error Of my life.
Ii rtjoices ME much To say that there is
a great improvement going on in the tone
and besring of both HOUSES of Congress;
amnesty is almost upon all lips;
and have not the least doubt that early
in the next session of the body, ifa prompt
and graceful submission on the part of the
people Of the Southern States to the recon-
struction policy of Congress shall be in the
mean time evinced, all Of these States will
be fully represented in the national Legis-
allure, and with increased influence also |
hereafter, by reason of the increase 10 the
number of our voting population which |
will have taken place.
Whatever may be the fears of others on
he subject, do not myself at all fear that
here will be any legislation at the present |
e5sion, calculated to operate oppreasiVely |
lpon either Of the States Of the South. |
lnless some unwi5e action on their part |
hall provoke it, which hope will not | (
ccur. Surely We have suffered in the South |
already from conflicting with s
be deliberate legislation of those who |
have our fate in their hands,
nd Itrnsi,tha hereafter We shall have less
t fiery defamation and impolitic denim
iation, both among the public speakers of |
ur section, and the editors of newspapers,
nd more of practical good sense and
Cancellation. The new Presi-
ent and Congress are surrounded with | :
reit difficulties and embaErsssments, I
nd 30 long as they sbz1 $
ursua a moderate, just, an4stgoa-l !
Iitutio8al course, it does seem to Inc !
hat it will be alike jddiciou4 and patriotic !
} refrain from all hasty and GctiOus 0p
ositiOn 10 those in power.
The two Houses of Congress appear TO
iffer very widely at this moment in regard
} what would be the Wisest action 10 be
iken touching the tenurr.Of-office law. t
Whether it will be retained in its present /
,Tm, repealed, OF modified | am not ex- :
city able to predict but | do venture TO | /
ope, and do most strongly believe, that |
Olhing can induce our just.minded and | q
President To commence 4 | T.
weeping prescription Of officials ON 4
acre party ground, Or knowingly to turn !
ut any individual selected from place | .
'hich he has wOTthily filled in order to
lake way for u less patriotic, or a less :
leTitOriOu5 successor. The exterior pres
lre on ham will be VeIy great indeed, but l
am persuaded that he has sufficient firm '
ess to resist this pressure, 30 far, at least, '
s the public welfare shall demand.
There are no indications yet as to the /
ecision of the Supreme Court in our Ten L
essee franchise case; but l am, for several C
xisting reasons, qaite hopeful Of the re- 1
alt.
Congress will probably adjourn about !
NO weeks hence. Should any event &C ,
ar which would be at all likely to inter
II my friends and neighbors at home, !
lay probably communicate the same to |.
he UEIoS AND AMERICAN.
II. S. FOOTE.