Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-08-17
GRANT AND THE SOUTH.
He Emphatically Endorses the
Radical Party or Mis-
q sissippi.
Regret Expressed at the Conduct
OF the Walker Party
In Virginia.

hong aa
From the Washington Chronicle. Aug. Il.
General iona. Tarbell, Secretary Of
the Republican Executive Committee Of
Mississippi, had an interview with Presi-
dent Grant at the residence Of Secretary
Fish, New York, on the 9th instant. His
object in seeking the interview was to
ascertain definitely the Presidents
views on political affairs in the Southern
States and Mississippi especially, and
also to present to him the present condi~
ton of parties there. So significant were
the remarks of the President, that, at the
solicitation of leading Republicans in
Washington to whom he has related the
conversation, General Tarbell has. in re>
Spouse to inquiries, given the substance of
General Grants views as expressed on
that occasion. -
General Tarbell, at the opening of the
interview, said if an apology was deemed
necessary 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 administration some
expression, by act or declaration, as to
parties in Mississippi, and to ask an early
decision, as there was crisis in the con-
dition of affairs in that State, which def
mite action, showing the sympathy of the
administration, would greatly aid to a
right solution. Some days since he
General TarbelD had, with the chair,
man of the executive committee and
others, visited Washington, in order to
explain their affairs, believing then, as
now, that the Presidents sympathies, as
well as that Of the cabinet, were with
the loyal party and in opposition to one
that sought only to divide and betray it.
The President took up the c0nversa-
ton at this point, expressing his pleasure
at the visit, entering into its purpose
with spirit, showing his minute knowlS
edge of the situation in General Tarbell's
State. He remarked at the beginning
upon the very small number of Repub-
licans who were engaged in what is
termed the National Republican party"
movement there, the movement which
uses Judge Dents name. With regard
to the special business presented to him
by General Tarbell his assurances were
explicit and direct. The President said
that in his judgment the small number
of those who had hitherto acted with the
Republican party, now constituting the
so,calIed National Republican party"
was in itself evidence that they could
not be otherwise than used by the oppo-
siton.
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. Ifthey were really
in earnest they would not be so anxious
about those with whom they acted. To
sincere men it could not be difficult to
tell who in the South were and had been
the Administrations friends.
He talked at some length on the recent
contest in Virginia. He thought from
Governor Walkers speeches since his
election that that gentleman was fully
committed to the administration, and wa:
honestly intending to act up to them. Re
ferring to the proposal made by Colone
Jenkins to unite the two wings of the Re
| publican party there. the President ex
| pressed regret at the apparent failure tt
accomplish so desirable an object, re
marking that the letter of DR.. Gilmer il
reply showed that the followers o
Walker were not all in good faith. IL
still hoped, however, that good would
come out of Virginia, but did not at pres
ent exactly see how.
The conversation lasted for about al
hour and half and during the who'll
time most Of was carried on by the Presi
dent himself The utmost frsnkness wa
displayed by him, and on Gen. Tarbell'
expressing his gratitude for and gratifi
cation at the assurances given him, tn
President replied that in his conversation
with the gentlemen representing the new
Republican party in Mississippi, he ha'
expressed himself much more emphati
cally against their course and policy tina
he was now doing to Gen. Tarbell. II
declared positively that his sympathie
were altogether with the Republicans {
Mississippi and against all efforts to di
vide them, coming from whatever seurc
they might. When it was suggested tina
great good might be accomplished an
much wild speculation set at rest, if b
would take occasion to put the views b
had stated into some form and give ther
to the public, the President replied tbs
he much preferred that acts and result
should speak for his administration rattle
than words.
To question whether his attention ha
been called to the dispatches pretendin
to give his views on Mississippi affairs, b
replied that it had, but that if he shOul
correct one, others net denied would !
claimed as admitted, and to correct a
| would consume his whole time.
Nothing could be more emphatic an
complimentary than the Presidents e.
preston of confidence in the charact
and administration of General Anne
commanding in Mississippi. The Pres
J dents words and manner were bo
: marked, mingling warm personal frien
ship with solid admiration for the Gel
erals character as soldier and exec
tive officer. He said, in reply to a r
mark made by General Tarbell, tn
General Ames would have TO do muC
: and more serious things than he hs
l heard charged before he would subje
himself to removal. He Endorsed
administration fully.
! The above report of the cOnversatit
with the President has been careful
read to the President, and is publish
by his express authority, and at his wi
) furnished to the Associated Press.
Gen. Tarbell is warmth the expressi
> of his qualification at the great and ear
est sympathy shown by the President
: the regular Republican party organic
- ton, and the thorough knowledge exl
: bited by him of the true condition of {
fairs in the Southern States. Gen. Ia
bell has known and observed the Pre-
! dent in many positions and under ma
circumstances-in times Of peace and
the field of battle-and expresses the l
most confidence that in him the Anne
= lean people have true and upright ru
who will guide the country safely a
j. surely through all its threatened dangt
D, A correspondent writing from Arka
g, sas says that the crops in that st;
y never looked better, and the price of