The New York herald., 1876-10-23
CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

MAN-HIs VIEWS ON THE PRESIDENTS PROC
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF THE RESULT IN
Observation-Disclosures CHANCES OF Sue
CESS.
QuIScY, Mass, Oct 2l, 1876
There are few men in the country more widely
known and more generously honored for their cmi-
nent public and sterling integrity than Charles
Francis Adams and it may with equal truth be said
that there are few men Of national renown who arc
yet modest and retiring in their everyday life
this distinguished gentleman. just now he hap
pens to be candidate Tor office, though an involun
tary one and it follows as Of course tina. he
is "a target lor the political enemy; but II his oppo-
ncnts only knew how harmless were their munitions
of calumny. and how little they disturbed the calm
serenity OF the Quincy statesman, they would
from the field hopeless despair. 1t has often been
said that Nj. Adams Is cold. distant and unapproach
able aud the party organs have found much pleasure
in weak jokes about the frgdity OF tho temperature
in tho nepghborhood OF the Adams mansion. His
characteristic modesty, well his utter indner-
encc to the hatery of toadies aud abuse OF
emes, by many regarded as aristocratic
snobbshness but 1t truthfully bo said that such
sentiments and declarations would nd few respondents
among his neghbors and friends here in Quincy.
While he is properly regarded by hcm with reverence
and respect, he is still received and visited by the
which would be ttlo less than startling to who
had formed an estimate of Mr. Adams' social qualities
from what he had heard and read rather than what no
bad personally witnessed.
All of this preface incident to a visit OF HERALD
correspondent. would be unnecessary It not for
the worthy desire which sczcs OF proclaming to
the world those charming, genial. social qualities
which are go abundantly possessed by Mr. Adams
MR.. ADAMS HOMESTEAD
His residence situated in the central part OF tho
village is rather rural than otherwise In Its surround
ings and outward appearance. Tho dwelling Is q
spacious wooden structure, but Immediately In the
large Gothic style library building. OF Quincy
grante, wherein Mr.. Adams performs such literary
and other labors he has taken upon himself since
his retirement Temporary, pcrhaps). from public life
He has an Office in Pemberton square, Boston, but he
rarely visits 1t than once twice a week, and
then only for few hours in the morning He had just
arrived from the Hub" tho occasion Of my visit
to-day and probably contemplating the probabili-
ties OF affairs in South Carolina when dropped in
upon him. Whether not that was the subject Of his
thoughts the exact moment the matter was,
theless very speedily alluded After few observa-
tions by your correspondent Mr. Adams remarked:-
SOUTHERN QUESTION.
s'This Southern question is Of grave Importance
at this time, aud must confess that am well
informed concerning tho situation in South Carolina
would like to be. Only yesterday gentleman called
to talk It over and told him that had bcen so much
occupied with other matters that was scarcely quail
fed TO give an opinion
Ithen proceeded 10 explain In brief the situation
cording to the dispatches which had appeared in the
papers OF to-day. Mr.. Adams nterruptng, said:-.
II look upon tho stop which President Grant has
taken which should have bccn preceded by tho
cautious careful aud searching Investigation into
the actual condition and necessities Of south Carolina
He has exercised the authority of the Executive In
very decided manner and at most critical period II
had been in his place should have required tho most
unmstakabe proofs OF the emergency and demands
before acting rs decidedly as President Grant has
doncn
observed to Mr. Adams that probably tho President
regarded the representations Of the Governor Of South
Carolina sufficient Justify him in sending tho military
down there TO restore ana preserve order. .
"He ought to have required even more than that, !"
answered Mr.. Adams. 'He should have known bd-
yond any kind OF doubt that the presence OF the
military absolutely necessary TO protect the peo
pie and preserve order before taking such an i'm
portant step. He should have had evidence from both
political parties from reliable dsintcrescd parties
But" continued Mr.. Adams III may be that President
Grant had all this ample assurance that the military
required. Ii he didnot, and there really
necessity for this federal interference, can frankly
say that he has made very great-yes very dam
eerous mistake all round and is impossible to
tcipate what the result will be-
here intimated to Mr.. Adams that II probable
that tho rifc clubs and other unauthorized armed
forces in South Carolina would disband In obedience
to the Presidents proclamation
''Yes,n he answered, THAT may be- and II will bo
fortunate II they do for then conflict with the United
will been great and serious II Prcsi-
dent Grant has taken this step when hcrc real
occasion for it,
ruE Errxor on THE ELECTION
"what effect viii this act Of President Grant have
the coming election 7" | then asked
'Weil, N II should turn out that the troops not
really required but were sent therc solely for election
purposes. II looks TO me as II It would be beneficial
the democratic party IN this section OF the country
on the other hand, II there actual necessity
for soldiers to preserve order and the lives OF tho
people, don't apprchcnd that election viii result
IN fcr n ha of
such troubles But, repeated Mr. ADAMS with much
feeling sthc step which The President has taken ia
serious and alarming one at bot, and II u not
necessary tho consequences may be unfortunate for
the peace OF the country
SITUATION IN THE BAY STATE
Concerning the political situation In Massachusetts
Mr. Adams talked quito freely but very hopefully
oi his own personal prospects.
''You probably know he remarked, with n sly
twinkle, THAT am not much OF a politician. never
sought an oice IN my life, and when was asked by
the democrats II ] would accept the nomination
answered that, while would not sock H. or labor for
election II nominated, yet II the gentlemen compos-
ing the Convention were united and harmonious in
thor action would accept Public Office has no
| charm for me, and would not have accepted tho
nomination which tho democrats gave me Al Worcester
II mad not been repeatedly urged and rendered freely
and UNANIMOUSLY"
MR.. ADAMS a DEMOCRAT
Right hero IL is proper that something should be
said about 5r Adams democracy In his letter ac-
ccpting the Worcester nomination he refraincd from
using word sdomocrat,n but alluded TO gat
ing as "a convention OF voters In the foregoing
conversation he used the word "dcmocrap' very en-
phaticaliy and ntimated Incidentally that he had
formed the Massachusetts republicans some two or
three years when they asked him TO become their
candidate Tor Governor, that ho mad washed his
hands, OF that party.
MR.. ADAMS PROSPECTS.
During our interview the probable result OF tho
guUernatoral election here was, Of course, touched
upon, when Mr.. Adams observed:-
'fn this matter | hardly regard myself other
than fancy candidate, for ono will be more sur
prlsed than myself nni am elected. have beer
repeatedly urged tako part in the campaign. but
(with smic) that Is entirely out OF the question"