The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-10-08

DECIDED OPINIONS FROM MR. A, T
STEwART.-It has been the custom of tht
Grant journals to profess great concerr
for the financial condition of the coun
try under the possible administration o.
Mr.. Greeley. Among other authorities
which have been invented to sustain this
mournful view OF things, Mr.. A. T,
Stewart. the foremost merchant and i'm.
porter OF the country, has been quoted
The Herald sent u reporter to find out
what Mr.. Stewart really thought of the
financial aspect Of the election, and got
q very plain answer from that gentle.
man. The report is as follows:
Reporter-Mr. Stewart, Won ara pro.
baby aware of the existence of an i'm.
preston in the public mind, and which
ls sought to be strengthened to aid the
Administration interests in the coming
election, that the elevation OF Mr.. Gree.
ley to the Presidency would lead to re.
suits adverse to the financial interests of
the mercantile community and of the
country generally. I have been directed
by the Herald to call upon you, sir, to
learn whether it is agreeable to YOU TO
make public your views upon the subject
Mr.. Stewart-What is it you want to
know?
Reporter-Well. We want to know
whether you look forward to Mr.. Gree.
iey's election as likely to produce un.
easlness and financial difficulty in the
financial world?
Mr: Stewart do not. Why should
it lead to difficulty?
Reporter-Well, it is said that Mr..
Greeley's peculiar financial views would
be the reverse of those entertained by
Mr.. Boutwell,.
MIR. Stewart-Oan you tell me what
are the views of Mr.. Boutwell,? Ine7er
could learn that he had any special views
or policy. I supposed his course was
controlled by his Judgment of existing
circumstances. So far as his polioy con.
slsts in purchasing. at large premium.
Government bonds not yet due, think
the sooner that is terminated the better
for the country; and the sooner it is nm.
derstood that the Government intends
entering upoE policy which at some
int9re time, no matter how remote, will
lead to q resumption of specie payments,
the better it will be for everybody. Con.
tinulng the course that has been pursued
the last four years will never lead Us to
specie payments, but leaves every mer.
ongnt at the mercy of gold gamblers.
Reporter-Then you have no fear that
the election OF Mr.. Greeley will produce
any financial difficulty?
Mr.. Stewart-None whatever.
Reporter-What do you think of Ills
present views on the tariff question:
Would they not, if carried out by
change OF the tariff, lead to some CON
fusion with the merchants?
MIR. Stewart-Not ut all. On the con-
trary, think Mr.. Greeley leaves that
question where it always should be left
with the people, through their members
OF Congress, uncontrolled by party dio-
tatlon. 1 have always contended that
the tariff LAWS. to which our country
looks for its revenue, shonld be dictated
wholly by the rules of equity and JUS
tice. and SO as to bear equally in their
application upon all interests aud classes
Lake of the party whip, allow the mem
oers OF Congress to consult the general
interests of their respective constituents
II forming the tariff laws, and believe
we wonid find every interest much better
served and protected than it now is.
1t will now be in order for the Admi-
nlstration whiffets which bark at the
heels of every man who dares have an
honest opinion of his own, to deride
Grants fret choice for Secretary of the
Treasury. If he gets off with being
called only ''a small retailer of tapes and
stay y-laccs." he will be lucky.
A Lively EP1soDR.-The Atlanta Sun
records the following episode during the