The New York herald., 1870-08-03

procure the sale OF the island TO our government
But ii war should follow it would create diver
sion in our political affairs at home which would
render unnecessary the plan OF the republican
party to perpetuate its power by military m
huence Ia the Southern States.
This brought the conversation back to the ques-
tion Of iHf
and endeavored to get the old gentleman to talk
more fully on the subject of the next Presidential
election. He spoke freely on the subject, and
short sketch Of his views will be interesting. la
CoRREsPoNDENT-Did understand you to say
that you thought the democratic or Opposition
party could win in the next Presidential campaign
by discreet action in spite Of the attempt to en-
ploy military intimidation over portion OF the
country e't
Hh Mr. BLAR-Yes sir; ! said 10. 7 believe that,
notwithstanding the vast power in the hands OF
the republican party, the opposition. If given the
right direction and guided by wise counsels, can
win. f la hNf n41
g CORRESPONDENT what way ? What platform
would you suggest Whom would you select for
their candidate?
Mr.. BLAR,-I would select q good Union man,
one whose record was loyal during the war, and
who believed IN the old constitution under which
country attained all its prosperity. The old
fossil party leaders l would discard. The csndi-
date Of the opposition ought to be some man like
Chase, for instance, who would be acceptable to
the true Union men, North and South. But don't
name any particular man az the best. II Is i'm
possible TO do so now. The fitness Of "a candidate
depends upon great many circumstances, which
can only be weighed when the time comes for
making q nomination. man who might seem
most tit and available to-day as a candidate might
not suit at all two years hence As 20 platform,
i think the constitution il was wonld be the
best that could be adopted. mean the old con-
stitntOn with slavery extinct. That ia the platform
which would advise. Onr fathers made 1t, our
country fourishcd and grew prosperous under its
provisions, aud it ~ stiIl ample, in my judgment,
for our government and people. There is no
doubt that when our fathers framed the old con-
tion of power. The republican psrty has disre.
garded that evident design. They have violated
the old constitution. Many Of their laws are in
conflict with it, like those assuming to
the subject away from the States entirely. The
right OF suffrage IL a matter which clearly be-
longs to the States. Each State is entitled to
decide for itself who shall vote within its own
limits for President of the United States. There
never was question on that point. Old Thad
Stevens, the leader OF the radical party admitted
1t himself, and acknowledged they had to 20 out
side the constitution. 1t was never intended that
Congress should take that power out OF the hands
of the States. 1t was never intended that the
power should be usurped by Congress. There
be no substitute for the constitution we can
have no sacceddneuna for it. The democratic or
opposition party oughtt0 go for the restoration of
the old constitution, with some one leader
who has a constitutional record rs q Union man.
In that way they could win against Grant and all
the military influence. don't think there is
man to resist the mighty popular avalanche which
would sweep over the country should the opposi-
ton party manage their campaign in the manner
explain. told them this truth long ago, and
wanted to get Grant to be their candidate.
He was democrat. i know from his
record that his feelings were on that
side until Congress passed the military
bill which made him military dictator over the
South and placed in his hands the power to make
himself President. Then he went over to the rad
icals. The democrats made the same mistake in
the last campaign by nominating man whose
Union record was In doubt They put the cart
before the horse in making their nominations
saw it Immediately and wanted them to let Frank
withdraw. They sent him invitation to make
speeches, and / went on TO New York and saw
Tilden. told him it was no use asking Frank to
speak, for Frank would be sure to make speeches
in harmony with the letter he had written and the
resolutions adopted by the Convention. The re-
suit would be that Seymour would make one kind
Of speech and Blair the opposite. told Tilden
that would not have beneficial effect, and asked
them to allow pe to withdraw him from the field.
But Tilden and the rest would not consent and
Frank remsined in the field.
CORRESPONDENT you think If Chase some
other good Union man had been nominated IN
place of Seymour that the democratic party would
have won the last Presidential contest?
Mr.. BLAIn-l think 1t very probable The
chances were favorable.
THE CHINESE QUESTION.
CORREsPONDENr--DO you think this Chinese
question will enter into the next campaign
Mr.. BLAIR--No, sir; think not. regard this
Chinese puzzle (siniling) as settled. The republi-
can party in settling II have given mp their cardi
nal prnciple--the natural equality Of man. Even
Sumner, the great dOctr'indire, has abandoned his
great doctrine. The ChiDaman is sacrificed to the
negro. The Chinaman has been denied equal
political rights. Therefore take it the Chinese
question will not enter into the canvass.
CoRREsPoNDENr--What is your opinion Of the
Introduction of the Chinese element into the
country!
Mr. n, AID Wall sir | think onr rocethat is
the Caucaaan--is the superior, and that it will
always have power TO assert its superiority over
the inferior. l don't think that we have much to
fear from them. But at the same time | regard
these commIXtures of races as demoraliZing In
a pecuniary aspect the Chinese may be advap.
tage, but in social aspect the question is OF vast
import TO the country. Ii the Chinese come here
in such numbers and intermiX with our own race.
the tendency might be to undermine the very
foundation of our social structure. But think
that tendency would be overcome by the natural
course of events. Our is the only one that
has ever shown itself able to sustain q free gov
ernnent. The Asiatics and Africans never have.
Our superiority is so great that in the course Of
Of time these inferior people would melt away and
disappear like snow before the solar rays IL is
natural process and inevitable. The Caucasian
Is the only one fit to rule and able TO support
tree institutions.
HISTORICAL. INCIDENT or THE HEBsi.LroN.
Having thus drawn out Mr.. Blair on most of the
subjects OF public interest and fearing TO tire the
old gentleman by an over-lOng interview, ap-
preached another subject and the last upon
which intended to ask his views. In 1854 or
1861 forget which--Mr. Blair was invited by
President Lincoln to proceed TO Richmond and
have an interview with JEFF Davis and the other
leading of the Confederacy. The object was
to propose for the settlement of the contest
without the expenditure OF further blood and
treasure. Mr.. Blair drew up a long paper,
which was shown 10 President Lincoln and also
TO JEFF DAVIS.
The contents of that paper have never been
made known. Iasked Mr.. Blair If he would allow
me to see that paper, or give account of its
contents. Mr.. Blair said he would gladly give it
out and knew of no objection to its publication
per But the paper was confidential doCn-
ment, and he did not feel that he would be doing
right in either supplying copy Of il or divulging
its contents. He stated that Alexander II.
Stephens had also applied to him for the paper.
but that he had been obliged TO refuse him also.
Satisfied that the old gentleman's resolution could
not be shaken on the subject thanked him for