The New York herald., 1874-09-21
RECONSTRUCTION VERSUS RESTORATION.
A Conservative Opinion Of tile Louisiana
Muddle and Warm Endorsement of Gen.
eral Grant from q Strange Source.
The Civil Rights Bill Max
ing Trouble.
GREENsBoRoUGH, Ca, Sept. 1s, 1874.

ent Southern States. refer to Hon. Alexander
ii. stephens. Around him now is the halo OF the
hustings, the incense Of thousands Of his old and
new constituents ana something OF the interest
which IN former days attached to Congressional
contests
He entered the cars at Craw!Ordsville-hls
home-sprightler, stronger and more like his Old
self albeit he still moves about on crutcnes) than
he has appeared for many months IL was pleas
ant TO see the greetings bestowed upoh hun by the
people-the respectful curiosity OF the young and
the warm hearted salutatlons Of those with many
OF whom he had associated IN his own youth.
The object of his journey was to attend court at
this place. not 10 make an address, but merely to
enjoy social intercourse with the hundreds who
are assembled from various portions of the
county. How much MIR. stephens is Identified
with this locality may be inferred from the state
ment that, with the exception OF the last six
years. he has not since 1886 missed attendance
upon or the other of the semLannual courts
at this place. Awaiting myself OF the opportunity,
! asked the venerable statesman his opinion con-
cerning
THE RECENT DISTURBANCE IN NEW ORLEANS
and Its probable effect upon the country at large,
especially at the North, where 1t seemed evident
that until the occurrences referred TO better and
more sympathetic feeling for the South was being
rapidly developed.
Mr.. Stephens replied as follows:--"While I am
entirely uniformed as to the iacts, and averse to
making any statement upon mere reports by teie.
graph, am still Tree to express the earnest regret
that any condition OF affairs exists that should
have caused a resort TO arms and the shedding of
blood. l sincerely hope that General Grant will
not find it TO be his constitutional duty to order
the federal forces TO take any part either side.
l regret the occurrence IRON another point OF
view. The South is passing through period OF
probation, and whatever tends to excite the
masses Is calculated to retard our healthy growth
On the eve OF important elections even the small
est crimes such as may ana do occur in every com.
munity in the country, are exaggerated to our
injury; and how much more so when thousands
assemble with arms In their hands, to subvert an
existing government even though oppressive in
It's character. l hope the report will prove true
that
PEACE HAS BEEN DECLARED
and no unfortunate results viii follow the bold
ana desperate resolve of the people. Understand
me, that however much may sympathiZe with
the oppressed. am far from saying that the move.
ment was right. 1t is the most serious thing that
has occurred in the country for long time, and
upon the prudence OF President Grant must de-
pend the solution OF the dlfnculty. do not be-
heve with very many persons, that General Grant
is either tyrant or usurper; nor do believe ne
will interfere unless from strong convictions O f
Official duty"
A gentleman who was listening to the converse.
ton inquired of MIR. Stephens II ne had seen an
account OF the meeting yesterday in Atlanta ana
the comments of the papers.
sNo; have not" was the reply, ''but have
heard something about It."
rough looking farmer remarked, 81 hyar the
folks down thar are readv to volunteer agin and 90
to war FUR the Loosanyans."
Mr. STEPHENSON, those are most indiscreet
and foolish sayings. The opinions of these hot
heads are worth nothing, but they do infinite mis-
Chief because they are circulated and sent North
do regret that our newspapers, vlgllant as they
are will publish such things, because the editors
know there Is no such general sentiment among
our people.
AN OPINION CONCERNING THE PRESIDENT.
''What IS your impression as to the luture move
ments OF Mr.. KellOgg?'
II have formed none. AS said before, only tel.
egraphc reports have thus far reached us, and on
these, in such q serious matter, / would not eX-
press judgment. My firm belief, as before stated
however, from personal observation is that Presi-
dent Grant desires only peace and order, and is
averse to any interference in the affairs of States
unless such interference Is necessary to maintain
the law. Even while at Fortress Monroe during
the war was impressed by his earnest desire to
bring the conflict to close, and since that time,
Notwithstanding the free OF the military forces,
there is good reason the assertion .hat his ac-
ton as the Executive has been always subordinate
to Congress and the Judiciary
what in your Judgment Mr. Stephens, Will be
south, if the President finding that peace prevails
at the end OF the five days OF grace given in his
proclamation and no one remains under arms in
New orleans, tacitly recognizes the situation and
allows 1t to remain unchangedr'
''On general principles would expect beneficial
results. SO much sympathy has existed Tor Louisi-
ana that q solution Of the problem in the manner
! suggested by you would doubtless make many
trends Tor the President throughout TINS section
OF the country. crafty the masses and que the
ciamor that has been reused against him lOr SEEM
ing to take the part OF those who are believed TO
be not much better than thieves and public plum
"Have you had occasion in the light of re-
cent events to change your frequently expressed
views with reference to
THE SUBJECT OF RECONSTRUCTION ~
81 have not, SIR; principles never change, and
there are very lew opinions tnat nave formed in
my life upon principles that have had occasion to
change but that Is subject too big for q railroad
talk. Pardon me for saying that never liked the
word reconstructon.' II Is q veroal monster
when applied TO our federal system OF govern.
ment, either before or after the war. The only re-
construction to that system. in the proper sense Of
the word. would have been by convention Of all
OF the states. 'RestoratlOn' was The proper word
alter secession had been abandoned. Tue North
fought the war avowedly TO restore the union OF
the states as It existed before the withdrawal or
secession OF the southern members. Alter the sur
render OF the Southern arms there was but one
uIng lett Tor the Northern States 10 do Tor per-
feet restoration OF the tnion and that was to ad
init southern Senators and members Ia the halls
OF Congress TO their seats, which Mr. seward
assured them were waiting for them. But instead
OF this dtctation OF terms followed among the re-
quirements OF which was the adoption OF the lour-
teenth ana hteenth mendments.
THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
The latter amounts to nothing but prohibition
upon the states severally Ill their high and origi-
nal civil right O regulating the FRANCHISE not TO
discriminate against any on account Of race, color
Or previous CONDITION OF servitude. 1t grants or
coners no right to anybody on earth, either white
or black. 1t SIMPLY provides that in granting suf-
frage the States respectively shall not dIscrimi-
nate as stated. The great fountain head, tfe SOW
ereign right or regulating suffrage, still remains
with the states, as IL did before, and believe the
Supreme Judiciary OF the land Will so declare If
the case ever comes before them. Unfortunately
our people are too little inclined 80 use the In
strumentalites OF the law In the decision of these
higher cOngitutiOnaI question:. Tney lOld their