The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-07-18
GREELEY AND THE SOUTH.
Interview which has
Never Before Reen Made Public
Horace GrceIey's Pacific Policy Adj
VOcatcd by Him Seven Years 20,
His Opinions of Lee.

Horace GrceIey's Pacific Policy Adj
yOcatcd by Him Seven Years ago,
His Opinions OF Lee.
Correspondence of the Courier journal ]
RICHMOND, Va, June 25, 1872.
An incident in Mr.. Greeley history, so
crcditable to his head and heart that it
ought long ago to have been made public,
hasjust been narrated to your correspond
cnt, and he hastcns to place it before the
readers of the Courier Journal, not less as
an act of justice to Mr.. Greeley than mat
ter of general interest to the country. The
wonder is that this incident should so long
have been kept secret dating back as it
does seven years ago.
ANDREW JOHNSON SENDS FOR GREELEY.
Soon after johnson vas installed as prcSl
dent he sent gentleman named Camp to
New York to solicit an interview with llo
race Greeley, Unable to leave the capital,
Greeley must come to him at once at the
White House. Greeley promptly complied
with the request After the first formal
civilteS were over, Camp rose to leave, but
President Johnson requested him to re-
main, and he did SO during the whole inter
view.
johnson opened the conversation by say
ing that he found himself in a most trying
position. The nation was cOnyuIScd with
passion III consequence OF Mr.. Lincoln as
saSsnatiOn; the situation was new and Fem
barrassng TO him; he felt inadequate to the
task to which he had been so Unexpectedly
called, and he felt the need, as he had nev-
err before felt it, of the counsel of some cool
and sagacious man. He had therefore,
sent for Mr. Greeley. What course to pur-
sue, how to stem the torrent Of Northern
frenzy, how to manage the reins of govern,
mcnt in a crisis SO awful, was a problem
too deep for him to solve. Placing himself
in Mr.. Greeley hands, he asked,
WHAT MUST Do2
Thanking him for the confidence he thus
rcposcd in him, Mr. Greeley replied that
his best course was to call to his assistance
a few of the wiScst and best men in the
country, They should be representative
men from the two great sections On the
part Of the North, he would suggest Gov,
Andrew Of Massachusetts, Gcrrit Smith of
New York and Judge Spalding of Ohio.
A like number of Southern gentlemen
should be caIlcd they should be invited to
the White House as guests of the president
there to remain and deliberate as long MS
they saw fit; and, having agreed upon some
policy, they should submit it to the prcsl.
dent for his approval and if approved by
him, IN Mr. Greeley doubted not 1t would
be- it should be faithfully and rgidly pur.
sued, despite the popuIu, cIamor which
might for time ensuc.
Mr.. johnson thought well of the suggcs
tion. But what Southern men should
invite, Mr.. Greeley, to meet the gentlemen
you have named from the NorthY
First and foremost, said Mr.. Greeley
Robert f. Lee, of Virginia
Great heavens" exclaimed Johnson
"hc is the very head and front of the rebel
lion.
81 know that" said Greeley, "and foI
that very reason you should invite him
He knows, ifany man does, the wants o
the Southern people; he of all men posses
ses the confidence of the entire South he
is upright and pure he would not recon-
mend single action on your part which
would not meet the approval of your ad
viscrs from the North and the result o
the deliberations in which Robert f. Lee
Judge Campbell, of Alabama, and third
man like them, from the South, took part
would not only insure the appreciation ot
the disaffccted states, but, in the course o
few months, would, am firmly persuad
ed, bring to your support every rlghtmind
ed and right-heartcd man of the North
| The pacifcation of the cstranged sections
your main difficulty, would thus be solved
and your path made clear towards the so
luton of minor difficulties. How are yOl
TO discover the true sentiments ofthe Soutl
and wants of its people if you do not con
suit her representative men2 And wha
sort of restoration will that be in the plar
of which the South has no part whatever
II must Of necessity he oneSdcd, partla
and unjust. Be persuaded, Mr. President
and call to your aid men of the standing
position and temper | have suggested, ant
by all means, call them from both OF th'
sections.
In this strain Mr.. Greeley continued un
| til he had
| FAIRLY WON THE PRESIDENT
over 10 his way of thinking. The inter
view ended with the assurance from tn,
president that he would adopt the views o
Mr.. Greeley and follow them exactly. H'
would, however, make a single modification
he would substitute Horace Greeley il
place of Gcrrit Smith.
every we'll said Mr.. Greeley, "if yor
call me, will come gladly and aid you tC
! A.. l,.t - my ability