American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-08-21
Grant Diseourses on Mississippi
and Virginia.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11.-Gen. Tar
bell, Secretary of the Republican Elk
ccutive Committee of mississippi,
had a lengthy interview with Presi-
dent Grant in New York, on the 9th
inst, relative to the Presidents views
in reference to affairs in the Southern
States, especially in Mississippi.
In reply to Gen. Tarbells explana-
ton in regard to the offices there and
the attempt to divide the Reprfli
can party, the President remarked
at the beginning a small number of
Republicans who were engaged in
what is termed the national Republi-
can party. With regard to the
special business presented to him by
General Tirbell his assurances were
explicit and direct With regard to
the recent profession made by those
who were lately rebels the President
was emphatic and frank. His oaly
desire was peace and amity, and he
would do anything right to bring
that about. But these people cast
suspicious upon their own motives
by the fact that al their efforts seem:
ed to be aimed at dividing, not aid
ing the Republican party in their
midst. If they were really in earnest
they would not be anxious about
those with whom they acted. To
sincere men it could not be difficult
to Judge who in the South were and
had been administration friends.
L. al 81 ~
contest in Virginia. He thought
from Walkers speeches since the
election that he was fully committed
to the administration, and was hon
cstly intending to act mp to it. Re
ferring to the proposal by Col. Jen-
kinS to unite the two wings of the
Republican party there, the Presi-
dent expressed regret at the appa-
rent failure to accomplish so desira-
bic an object, remarking that the
letter of DR.. Gilman in reply showed
that the followers of Walker were
not all in good faith. He still hoped,
however, good would come out of
Virginia, but did not at present eX-
actly see how.
The conversation lasted about an
hour and half, and during the whole
time was mostly carried on by the
President himself. The utmost frank
ness was displayed by him, and on
Gen. Tarbeli expressing his gratitude
for and qualification at assurances
given by the President, he replied
! that IN his conversation with the
gentlemen representing the new Re
publican party in Mississippi he had
expressed himself much more en-
phatically against their course and
policy than he was now doing. He
declared positively his sympathies
were altogether with the Republicans
of Mississippi, and against all efforts
to divide them, coming from what
ever source they might. When it
was suggested that great good might
be accomplished, and much wild
speculation set at rest, if he would
take occasion to put the views he
had expressed into some form and
give them to the public, the Presi-
dent replied that he much preferred
that acts and results should speak
for his administration rather than
words.
To a question whether his atten-
ton had been called to the dispatches
pretending to give his views on Mis-
sissippi affairs, he replied that it
had, but that if he should correct
one, others not denied would be
claimed as admitted, and to correct
all would consume his whole time.
The President expressed thorough
Endorsement of Gen. Ames' admins
tration in Mississippi, and in reply
to a remark made by Gen Tarbell
said that Gen. Ames would have to
do much aud more serious things
than he had been charged before he
he would subject himself to removal
He endorsed his administration il
. full.
The above report of the converse
ton with the President has beer
carefully read to the President, and
it is published by his expressed au
thoritv, and mt his wish furnished t,
the Associated Press.