The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1873-03-13
RIcHMoNp. Va. Feb. D. Is73,

hICHMOND, ' a.. FtD- Is, 1873.
There is no event. either of State or ma
tional interest, that occasions 50 much COM
ment, consideration or speculation among
| the Southern people as the contemplated
! tour of President Grant through the late
rebelliOus States. Now, this is to be no or
binary affair, as the mere casual announce
ment by telegraph would seem to imply. 1t
is full OF political significance, and if the
Presidents observations and deductions of
the national feeling and condition, both So
cially and politically, of the Southern peo-
pie Justify his objects in making the tour, it
will result in untold benefits to them. This
comes to me
DIRECT FROM THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF,
through one of his most intimate friends in
this State-one who enjoys his confidence
and esteem, and who is always received at
the White House with marked courtesy and
attention, This gentleman returned here
from the national capital this morning, hav-
ing had lengthy and confidential chat
with the President. the day previous. The
conversation was altogether in reference to
the projected
TOUR THROUGH THE SOUTH.
Throughout the whole interview, which
lasted over an hour. the President took the
deepest interest in inquriEg into the condi-
ton of the people of the South, and he man
ifested the earnestnesS in trying before
hand to ascertain what effect his visit would
that great barrier had been placed be-
tween the Southern people and the national
government, by the pernicious results of
the Congressional plan of reconstruction,
which had given the control OF the late re-
belliOus States to men whose policy it was
MIsREPREsENT, DETRACT, AND KEEP THEM IN
ANTAGoNIsM
with it. The four years of his admnistra-
ton, now nearly closed, were peculiarly in
this lamentable condition. The social and
political status of the Southern States, with
the exception of Virginia, was disturbed
and unsettled, and in his frequent efforts to
effect SOME good, he was often circumvent-
ed and thwarted by designing and
TRICKY POLITICIANS.
While there was not one of his administra-
tive acts towards the South with which he
could reproach himself having done the
best he could under the circumstances, yet
there were many ins tances within his know
edge, where different line of policy would
have had decidedly better and more pleas
ing results in national way. He deplored,
not the carpet-baggers individually. for
there were many OF them good men, who
had accomplished great deal in the way of
loyalty and good feeling; but
THE CARPET-RAG SYSTEM,
he thought not only injurious but destruc-
tive of the very objects sought to be attain
ed. He casually referred te the chaotic and
unfortunate governments in some of the
Southern States, but gave no expression of
opinion as to the merits OF, or the parties to,
the different quarrels. He was especially
gratitied at the peaceable and prosperous
condition of Virginia, and seemed to be
proud in the reflection that the electoral
vote of the mother of States and statesmen
was cast for him, the first time she voted in
a presidential campaign since he conquered
a peace on her sacred soil.
Coming then TO the objects of his tour.
the President stated that it was more than
probable he would be accompanied by near
ly all. if not the whole, of the members of
his Cabinet, besides many other distin
guished persons, Senators, members of Con-
gress, and others.