Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-08-16
Gen. Grant on the sssituation.',

The following statement is sent from Wash
ington, as the report of conversation with
Gen. Grant yesterday
Early in the afternoon the President freely
and calmly engaged in conversation with seve-
raj of his friends, chiefly on political topics,
from which it appears that he is satisfied with
the situation as regards himself. When asked
about the alleged Slight to Frederick Douglass,
he replied that if Mr. Douglass did not COM
plain because be was not invited by him to din
ner, he did not see why Senator Sumner should
exhibit SO much anxiety, if not indignation
upon the subject The simple fact was that
the San Domingo Commissioners with their
Secretary having called to submit their report
he invited them to dine with him. Frederick
Douglass not being with the Commissioners he
did not at the time think of him, nor Of others
who accompanied the expedition, but if Sigel
and Douglass had been with the Commission
ers they would have been included in the invi-
taton to dinner, which was Informal aud pri
waite, having no official significance whatever.
The President expressed surprise that so much
should be said about an immaterlal matter; one
that merely concerned his own household.
The President remarked that no public bust
ness is neglected by his absence from Washing
ton, as he attends to it at Loug Branch. His
solutely necessary for that purpose. The Exc
cutive Mansion has been for some time under
going extensive repairs, it being in some parts
including those occupied by the family, in an
untenantable condition, the plastcring OF the
walls aud ceiling having talleu off aud the roof
being in leaky condition.
The conversation turned on the reuakS of
Senator Sumner that Mr.. Greeley is better
friend to the black man than President Graut.
The President replied that he never prentended
to be, as he had repeatedly said, an original
Abolitionist, but he favored emancipation rs Il
war measure and when this was secured he
thought the ballot should be conferred to
make the gift complete, to place those who had
been liberated in the full possession Of the
rights offrcemeu. His views, however, on the
subject of slavery were well know and express
ed in letters to Mr.. Washburne and Others
and extensively published and hence this was
not now matter OF dispute.
In the course OF the conversation he said
that while President should be in accord with
him, it was essential that he should enforce the
laws which may be enacted, and administer
the Government not in the interest of party,
but in those OF the entire country. While he
had no uDknd words to utter concerning Scna-
tor Sumner, be was perfectly willing to place
his acts against Senator Summers works, and
In this connection he said that Mr. Sumner
did not show himself such a good friend to the
blackman as he protessed to be when be was
not willing TO have Civil Rights bill stand on
Its merits, requiring only a majority vote, but
insisted on bill of his own as an
amendment to the Amnesty BILL which could
not be pas ed without majority of two-thirds.
Senator Carpenters Civil Rights bill, however
was passed during the absence Of Senator Sum
ner, and as the facts show much to his sur
prise.
Besides, the President said, it will be seen
by the Congressional Globe that Senator Sum.
uer did not vote at all on the joint resolution
recommending the ratification of the Fifteenth
Amendment to the Constitution of the United
States. This amendment, since ratified
provides that the rights of citizens of the Uni
ted States to vote shall not be denied OF abrdg-
ed by the United States or by any State on ac-
count of race color or previous condition of ser
vitude, and Congre, is invested with power to
antorcc this article by appropriate legis ation
Senator Sumner, the President said, lodged a
vote on this joint resolution.