The New York herald., 1873-09-22
Interview with Parson BrOwnlOw, the
Knoxville Lion.
GRANT FOR a THIRD TERRI.
An Empire Preferable TO Demo
cratic Rule.
A Strong Centralized Government
Wanted.
President Grants Administration Strongly
End0rsed-Nu Klux in the South.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn, Sept. 10, 1873.
Having made arrangements the evening pre-
vious with Colonel John b. Brownlow, Senator
Brownow's son and private secretary, accom-
panied by that afrable gentleman your corre-
spondent had an interview with this distinguished
man, whose reputation, IRON that OF O Methodist
itinerant and subsequently as a country editor,
has become national. Taking into consideration
his extremely active life Senator Brownlow bears
his sixty. y.eight years bravely, although to those
who know him well 1t is apparent that he Is slowly
falling physically, yet his intellect Is
bright and his memory as tenacious as when
he filed the gubernatoriai chair OF the state. 1
make this allaslon to his health because periodi-
cally the statement Is made by some Of the demo-
cratic papers that he Is at the point Of death;
while, to judge by the vigor OF the denials OF this
by the republican press, one would almost be
forced to conclude that the Senator was as lond of
muscular exercise as the late distinguished owner
OF Chappaqua, and that his favorite method OF re-
Taxation was either with the axe or between the
plough handles.
was ushered into the family sitting room, where
the Senator passes most of his time and found
him reclining on a sofa. He received me most
cordially, and, after the usual courtesies had heen
exchanged, prolessed Willingness to give his
views, not only on CHsarism but any other
subject OF national interest, adding that the
HERALD was exerting leading influence on
cosmopolitan Journalism and disseminating its
views wherever man service existed, as he had ex-
perienced on more than occasion, having
ceived letters from Europe and the Indies from
gentlemen who had seen expressions from him In
its columns.
Two prominent rebel gentlemen were in the
room, having been warm personal friends of Sena-
tor Brownlow in dnte0ell,sna days-one an
n n her a 1ead dinU VII in tha of
dist Church-who had called to pay their respects
before leaving Knoxville for their distant homes
One OF them, glancing at portrait of Henry Clay
which hung over the sofa, and one OF Andrew
Jackson on the opposite side OF the window, re-
marked, elbow Is 1t, Governor, that you have
the extremes IN politics meeting. Here you have
the Sage OF Ashland, while equally exalted Is his
and your old foe, the hero OF New Orleans"
Senator Brownlow replied, pointing, with
smile to Mr. Cay's portrait:-"He was my politl-
cal idol, and in him had the most abiding con-
fdence; so much so, in fact, that had he been
alive In 1860 and favored the establishment of o
Southern coniederacy, expect would have fol-
lowed his leadership. But have never seen the
day when l would follow or cooperate with the
chiefs OF democracy in anything not even pill
grimage to the other world; for should expect to
be snipwrecked on the voyage, as was Paul, or
meet with some other terrible misfortune. fought
Jackson as long as he was in active political life,
but his intense love for and devotion to the Union
cover multitude Of political hereses and for such
honor him as much as l do the memory OF Great
Harry of the West.u
The visitors shortly thereafter took their leave,
when the conversation was resumed.
CORREsPONDENT-The question OF CRsarism is
now attracting great deal OF attention, and the
discussion having commenced in the columns of
the BERALD the management Of that paper are
desrous OF obtaining the views OF prominent men
throughout the country on the subject.
AN EMPIRE PREFERABLE TO DEMOCRATIC RULE.
Senator MISUNDERSTANDING either considered
literally in the abstract, regard absurdity
and the cry OF demagogues, gotten up by the
enemies Of the administration. AS regards the
democracy of to-day and CGsarism I stand now
where stood In 1850, when, though 1t was not safe
to avow sentiments akin to abolitionism, publicly
declared In speech that my first choice for the
Presidency was Bell; my second, Douglas; third,
LncOln fourth the Devil, and fifth, Breckinridge.
And now would, rather tlan see the government
OF the United states in the hands OF the rebelseces
sion democracy, prefer that Grant was Emperor
for life and the country an absolute despotism.
fas ND yon then in favor Of
Senator BRowNLow-i am decidedly and believe
his reelection is demanded by the best interests OF
the country; though, as party man, would sup
port the nominee OF the national republican party
whoever he might be. or the effects of his admin
sections In the South where there is not material
prosperity prevailing and due observance OF law
eral government, It's agents and ofIlcers. In Fen.
TINS Is especially tq and r., we are
cious administration of General Grant The
recollection OF his victories in the field exercises
wholesome influence over the awless elements OF
the South, and they have dread OF violating the
laws while he is at the head of the governments
which they would pot have were any otGer man IN
the Presidential Chair. 1t Is because believe 1t to
be to the interest OF the South, as well Of the
whole country, that am
IN FAVOR OF HIS REELECTION.
Put any one else In the Executive chair whether
civilian or military chcftain, and we would have
of the constitutional amendments and oppression
OF the colored people, which We now see in
THE doD-FoAsAkES' rnTLcpE nELLcpEsEHViSa STATE OF
As extremely opposite, the senator here handed
tainins W the following editorial extract rom the the
Louisville Courter-JournaI:
Il Kentucky @ had governor more interested in pro;
sss% % 1l5s psssrSns Saidy iendyy rs sRa
0s N sa hs Sa r Ss %S he
Of these ro6bina, numbering miscreants would have
1Rs Re so s
have though
three years murder robbery arson and brutalies OF al
Ami .SsT assi
citizens each these counties the Governor ears re-
MAN closed s e e., eli appeals for and the
not him from his stupor. These reliable"
suppose Exceiiency KNOWS who run the mieh,ne
CoRREspoNDrNr-That certainly is a bad state OF
affairs. and 1t s surprising that pubic opinion does
not aid the law In putting stop to these deeds OF
violence.
SENATOR BRowNLow-Public opinion really sus-
tains the Ku Klux. Why, sir, here we have the
leading democratic organ OF Kentucky charging
the democratic Governor OF that State with being
in collusion with the Ku Klux bands and failing
take any measure for their suppression, because
he looked to the leaders for support and at the
same time men are being murdered and all man
ner OF Outrages committed almost under the
shadow OF the State capital About the first
l heard or read on this subject OF Cmsarism
was an assault upon the republican party and Gen.
eral Grant as desiring to establish imperial power,
was rom this same democratic Governor OF Ken
tucky, who patronlzes the Ku Klux banditt and
who Is fair sample OF the Southern demagogues
who assail Grant on this subject. Knowing their
intentions In regard to their rotten conlederacy
they naturally suspect the motives Of Others ana