The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-12-28
Another Interview with the President.

Washington, Dec. 24.-President Grant
in the course ola conversation with q repre-
sentative of the New York Associated Press
to-day said in reply to a question that he
bad no knowledge OF a democratic armed con-
spiracy South or West, as had been reported.
He had information merely of organized ri
file companies outside Of the State militia.
but he was not apprehensivc of armed COLI
sion in connection with the Presidency. No
matter what might be the fears of others, it
seemed to him that the people desired only
fair count of the electoral vote liz the South
ern contested States in order to be satisfied
of the result. The report of several commit
tees now there would shed light on the true
condition of affairs and have tendency to
solve existing difficulties. 1t was certain
ly desirable to establish the actual fact of
election OF either Hayes Or Tilden, for neither
could feel satisfied if any doubt remained of
his election, because in such case his DO
sition as President would not command the
requisite general support.
The President remarked that no one could
suppose that he had any connection with or
relation to a declaration as to who was elect
ed. That was not matter for him to deter
mine. lie was now anxious for the coming
of the 18th OF March, when he could gladly
give way to his successor and be freed from
self at his home at Galena, ILL.,, where he
owns a house, he proposed making voyage
to the West indies. visiting Havana and
other points ofinterest. He had deferred his
voyage to Europe till June for the reason that
his youngest son Jesse will not graduate be-
fore that time, and he was DESTROYS of TAX
ing his son with him. The President said
that during his two terms of Office his health
had been very good,a it was now excellent.
The President, recurring to the recent cleo
ton, remarked that.he should prompt{ 'ecogss
nize Whoeversh should be declared his Successor:
with this his political feelings would have
nothing to do. 1t would be recollected that
several years ago, during the guberh atorial
contest in the State Of Arkansas, and when
both parties represented their respective ca
ses at Washington, he recognized the demo-
GRAFT in preference to the republican, because
by legal representation the former WIS enti-
tied to the position.
While it was true that the presidential
term commences by law on the 4th of March,
it did not necessarily follow that the President
elect should defer taking the oath of office
until chat time. He might take immedi-
atty after the declaration OF his election. but
of course could not enter on the performance
OF his duties as president until the 4th of
March, the day Of the retirement of his pre-
decessor.
The President intends replying to the House
resolution calling for information as to send
ing OF troops to the South, and the authority
under which he acted in all such proceed
lngs. lie said he endeavored to keep with
in the limits of the law, having always pre-
violls to acting consulted the Attorney Gen.
his legal advisor, and besides the democratic
House OF Representatives during the former
session OF Congress emphatically declared
that all citizens OF the United States should
De equally protected in their rights. IIeflr-
ther said with regard to complaints of his
sending troops to the South for the above
mentioned purpose thatit would be recollect-
ed that Gen. Frank Blair wanted troops sent
thlther fora different object, saying in his let
Ter to Col. Brodhead, in June. 1860, that
there was but one way to restore the govern
ment and the constitution, and that was for
the President to declare the reconstruction
acts null and void, and compel the army TO
undo the alleged usurpation at the South,
and leave white people to recognize their
own governments. 'sSurely, said the Pres
ident, s'If the army. according to Gen. Blair,
could be used to wipe out governments, it
could, in my opinion, be employed to sup
port them. The democratic national conven-
ton. after the letter was written, nominated
Gen. Blair for Vice-Presidcnt on the ticket
WITH Gov. Seymour"
The republican State governments at the
South had nothing to expect from the demo-
Gratis Under their rule all such governments
would fade out as in the Mississippi where
General Ames was legally elected Governor
but was forced to vacate his office and is now
a fugitive from the State,
The President seemed pleased with the ac
ton of the British government in retiring
from its position on the eXtraditon clause in
the treaty of 1912, by surrendering Brent,
the Louisville forger, remarklng that the
treaty which was suspended is thus revived.
and hereafter he wo1ld be prepared correspond
to acquisitions from the British government
for fugitive criminals. The President said
the treaty of 1874 with Great Britain provi-
ded only for the eXtradition of persons char
sed with murder or forgery, but in the trea-
ty of 1912 the number OF offenses was in=
creased so as to include piracy, arson, rob-
berry. or the utterance of forged paper. The
he thought, might be still further
not, however, to include deser-
ton from the army or navy.