The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-04

The very interesting report which we pub
iished yesterday OF familiar conversation OF
public affairs between General Grant and 9
HERALD correspondent at Long Branch we are
sure has given general satisfaction to oul
readers touching the views Of the President
on the several political questions discussed
First Of all, II will be seen that General
Grant is no sphinx, as Louis Napoleon at the
Tuileries was said to be, and as even Prince
Bismarck is regarded by many people to this
day. 1t will be remarked. too, that in his
familiar talk on the largest political subjects
General Grant, like Napoleon and Bismarck
in their conversations, covers the whole ground
in few simple words and familiar COMPARE
sons, fall of matter and directly TO the point
and the purpose.
For instance. in the very outset OF this
Long Branch conversation General Grant
said :-s'Some fellow, pretending to be a gen
tieman, induced my steward 70 show him over
my cottage before l came. | hear that he has
published a lot Of stuff in a New York paper
describing the furniture Of my bedroom and
the quality Of the spttoon in the hall. Why
are these creatures tolerated?" So Bismarck,
in speaking OF the Paris reds on one occasion,
said I'VE have TO deal now with those
gentlemen OF the pavement, and we must cut
OF their rations." So Napoleon, in speaking
al Wiihelmshohe of these same gentlemen of
the pavement, called them "a provisional
cabal OF lawyers and loafers. He might
well, too. have put the question of General
Grant why are such creatures tolerated 2"
10 speaking next of the English grumblers
against the treaty of the Joint High Com
mission General Grant said :-s'They will
grumble, of course but they won't grumble
long. The treaty was fully and ably dis
cussed, and in my judgment, is the best set
Element possible of the outstanding differences
between US and Great Britain. Every article
of the treaty was submitted TO me after its
adoption by the Commission. and approved by
me: and each article was in the same way
submitted to the British Cabinet, and approved
by The Ministers of the Crown at once The
English Ministers spent great deal Of money
in telegraphing the sections of the treaty. This
fact makes the negotiation of this treaty the
most remarkable work OF negotiation in the
history OF the world. 1t was the ocean cable
that did the business. 1t further appears from
General Grant that Queen Victoria having
pledged her signature beforehand. he regards
the treaty as practically ratified by England.
and says that the alternative presented to
both sides was u settlement or war. He
by and by and that ''the fishermen of the East
General Butier's constituents have but little
respect for treaties or engagements They
are rough fellows, hardy, self-reliant and
law unto themselves. Hence one of the
necessities for comprehensive settlement.
But that which appears from this converse
ton to have been the strongest incentive with
General Grant to this settlement was the
apprehension. not that war otherwise might
follow with England, but that in the event of
might rise up again. The General on
this subject said :-'sThere were thou
sands of influential people in the
South treacherous and reasonable. who
Rugged the thought that the cause Of
secession would triumph whenever the country
got involved in war with England. These
were they who helped on the Ku Klux for
the encouragement of their agents abroad, and
they were most active in supporting show
of opposition to the national authority. | told
{. ~. md
on the treaty with England at once Here,
then. the most important point in this matter
on our side is first brought to light, for we
cannot suppose that General Grant is speaking
at random on this Southern view of a war with
England.
And how neatly he hits the case OF JEFF
Davis ''He might be imprisoned But what
would be The use: 1t would be like
make martyr Of jeff He will find his own
level in due time. and the Southern people
will get tired OF him. Besides JEFF is making
all the country republican. Let him go. He
is wasted candle, and will light no fire. "
And what handsome compliment The Presi-
dent pays to his Secretary of State. Mr. Fish,
''Hc has been faithful, patriotic and diligent,
and 1 should be grieved if he resigned; but
he won't resign" In conclusion, we have
a budget of valuable information on public
affairs, in our reporters report of this interest
ing conversation OF his with General Grant,
and the views expressed by the General on the
subjects discussed are surely calculated to
strengthen him, his great treaty and his
administration in the confidence OF the
country.