The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-02-19
Gen. Lo.y.trest o~ the Situation" and Pres
ideat Grant.

The Washington correspondent Of the Tro,
Iynss. in giving an account Of recent inter
view with Gen. Longtreet, says:
"IIe was exceedingly cordial and communica
tive, full Of hope for the future. and glowingl,
sanguine that the South, purified from thu
blight Of human slavery and recognizing the
equal rights Of all men, would grow and hour.
ish and blossom all over, like unto second
land Of promise.
General said I, what more peril have these
obstructionists nj the south undergone, Wha'
more suferings have they endured, what mor'
bravery have they shown, that they should re
vile you for the frank renewal Of your loyalty &c
the Government =
None he exclaimed.
Then why not follow your example, 4 IN
quired, and give us the fruits Tor which We
foughtf' =,
simply said he, because you Of the North
II rather mean your Northumberland a
wrong start when the war ended. IL vigorous
means OF reconstruction had been put in force
when the Confederate armies SURRENDERED, there
would be no obstructionists now. II was the
dallying policy Of Andrew johnson, tolerated
too long by your people, that fed the spirit oil
the south with false hopes Of recovering the su-
premaey they had lost, and while these hopes
prevailed, il required no small amount OF moral
courage To take the stand that did. Up TO the
81 Of last November this same delusion existed,
and had Seymour and Blair been elected,
goodbye to peace and reconstruction nj the
south.
But Grant viii set things allrightdown there,
Observed.
.Yes,' ne responded, the entire sensible mass
Of southern people secretly rejoice at GTanfs
election. l myself an growing In favor win
them every day, which is an excellent sign, and
but for the Internal tyranny ofpoltieians. who
will hold on as long rs breath OF popularity
remains TO the most fOssililed or exploded polti-
cal theories, my ranks would be more largely re
cruited.'
General, presume you have seen Grant
since you arrived in Washington 2 asked.
ooh, yes he answered, with q smile Of pleas.
ant recollection, we dined together. We talked
over our battles and had a very agreeable eve
n'ng.'
moicstly inquired.
syery favorable, indeed, he returned. Grant,
10 nv mind, is the beau ideal Of soldiers CON-
panion. To explain this TO you, might lay II
down as a rule that soldier detests long SEN
fences Of rhetoric-he prefers a short. nimble
mode Of expression, and likes man OF general
information who is not bore. Grant has not
read extensively. but II is amazing how clear
and precise he Is on every subject. His mind
would appear to fash across question like
lightning over the wire, and then after brief
pause, he gives you his opinion in the simplest
words, but in the tersest form. II Is all mis-
take about his reticence. In public he Is tacit-
urn; but meet him, rs did, in social converse
ton, and under the conyiyial cloud Of cigar,
and no man living can be more entertaining
than Grant at least to my mind he appeared
10, and I had no fsvors 10 ask. Grant thinks
deeply, but talks little on what he premeditater
most. You will find him develop his policy
and be assured il win be grand one-in detail,
as a general develops his plan Of battle. Under
his administration this country will take
bound forward and achieve degree Of prosper
ity beyond our most sanguine expectations