Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1874-10-22

4 Correspondent Describes Hiin-V hat
the Victor Of Chlcknmsausa Has to
Say Of His Ostrs,cis'n-Efi> Views on
CIVIL Rights.
Indianapolis Journals New Orleans Letter: Sepcm
ber2l.]
I called to-day on Gen. Longstrcet, being
introduced by friend, and had pleasant
interview with him. He is a handsome mill
tary looking gentleman, about fifty years old,
and well preserved, with fine beard and
large brain, keen eye and sharp-cut features;
has Il portly figure, is slightly bald, and wears
a moustache and side whiskers. He looks
every inch soldier, and carries the impress
sion Of a man of force and genius. His enc
lnleS mere Soy ~ :" .,'tnr'y aelfish and lacking
in moral principle, but the severity OF their
judgment is in exact relation with their hatred
of him, for they regard him as q traitor to
the South. My own opinion is that he hes
more cf the qualities of true craftsmanship,
better understanding of the general situation
and clearer appreciation CT the relations of
the State to the general government, than any
one of all those who are denOuncing him. If
there is Il man of larger brain or clearer ideas
in Louisiana should like TO see him. He is
connected with the Kellogg government as
Commissioner Of Engineers, having charge
Of the levCeS.
In reply to question of mine rs to the cx-
tent OF the military operations made Ivy the
State government to meet the White League
movement, General Longstrect said: Il had
been absent from the city most of the time
for several weeks prior to the outbreak, in
specting lcvces, and consequently am not
thoroughly posted as to Governor he'logS's
preparations, but | know they were very
meager. He had no force worth mentioning,
besides the Metropolitan Police, which was
utterly inadequate for the crisis. There were
about 400 State militia, which might have
been brought into action, but they had but
one round of ammunition and could have
done nothing. asked him his opinion as
to the extent of the White League organiza-
tion. He thought it extended through nearly
every Southern State, but did not believe they
contemplated any general movement against
the government or toward throwing off Fed
eral authority. Said be: Il cannot see how
any man of sense could contemplate such a
tLing. The Southern people tried it under
far more favorable circumstances, and it they
failed then how could they expect to succeed
now: The state of feeling in the South is
very unsatisfactory and very discreditable to
the Southern people, but l cannot believe
they contemplate another general rebellion.
At least do not want to b. eve it."
General" said !, you. course since the
war and your manly stand for the govern
ment has made you many friends at the
North, but suppose it has made you many
enemies at the South ?" SWELL" he answer
ed. 81 suppose am pretty cordially hated by
certain proscriptive class of SOutherners,
but that cannot be helped. Men can't all
think alike, and the trouble with the South
ern people always has been that they won't
tolerate any difference of opinion. If God
Almighty had intended all men to think just
alike. He might as well have made but one
man. have decided and acted as | thought
duty REQUIRED, and other men are at liberty to
do the same NY opinion is that the only
true solution for Southern troubles is for the
people to accept cordially and in good faith
al the results of the war, including the recon-
struction measures, the acts of Congress, ne
gro suffrage, etc., and live up to them like
men. If they would do this, and encourage
Northern immigration, and treat ell men
fairly. whites and blacks, the troubles would
soon be over, and in less than five years the
South would be in the enjoyment of greater
prosperitv than ever before The Southern
people, he continued, were their own worst
enemies. The question whether he was q
traitor to the South depended entirely on
what the true interests of the South were.
According to his understanding OF the case
he was working for those interests TO the best
of his ability according to the understand
ing of those who were in favor of keeping up
perpetual warfare with the general govern
ment, and of retarding all efforts to restore
peace and order, he supposed he was any
thing but friend to the South. but he
had taken his stand and intended to adhere
to it.