Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-12-27
GRANT INTERVIEWED.

ITcSlOcut UranC, IN Tue course VI d
conversation with a representative of
the Associated Press, on Saturday
last, the 23d inst, said, in reply to a
question, that he had no knowledge
of q democratic armed conspiracy,
South or West, as had been reported.
He had information merely of organ
lied rifle companies outside of the
State Militia, but he was not appre-
hensive of armed collisions in con-
nection with the Presidency, no mat
ter what might be the fears of others.
1t seemed to him that the people de-
sired only fair count of the Electoral
vote in the southern contested States,
in order to be satisfied of the result.
THE REPORT OF THE SEVERAL COMMIT
TEES
now there would shed light on the
true condition of affairs, and have a
tendency to solve existing difficulties.
1t was certainly desirable to establish
the actual fact of the election of
either Hayes or Tilden, for neither
could feel satisfied if any doubt re-
NAMED of his election, because, in
such case, his position as President
would not command the requisite
general support. The President re-
marked that no one could suppose
that he had any connection with or
relation to the declaration as TO who
was elected. That was
NOT A MATTER FOR HIM TO DETERMINE.
He was anxious for the coming of
the 4th of March, when he would
gladly give way to his successor and
be freed from official cares. Before
re-establishing himself at his home in
Galcna, Ills, he purposed making a
voyage to the West Indies, visiting
Havana and other points of interest.
He had deferred his voyage to Europe
till June. The President, recurring
to the recent election, remarked that
he should promptly recognize who
ever should be declared his successor.
With this his political feelings would
have nothing to do.
A Renaissance.
1t would be recollected that several
years ago, during a Gubernatorial
contest in the State of Arkansas, and
when both parties represented their
respective cases at Washington, he
recognized democrat in preference
to republican, because, by legal rep
resentation, the former was entitled
to the position.
TAKING THE OATH.
While it was true that the Presi-
DENTAL term commences by law on
the 4th of March, 1t did not necessa-
rily follow that the President-elect
should defer taking the oath Of Office
until that time. He might take it
Immediately 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 date of the retirement of his pred.
ecessor.
TROOPS.
The President intends replying to
the House resolution calling for in.
formation as to the sending of troops
to the South and the authority under
which he acted in all such proceed
ings. He said he endeavored to keep
within the limits of the law, having
always, previous to acting, consulted
the Attorney General, his legal adj
wiser, and, besides, the democratic
House of Representatives during the
former session of Congress cmphati-
cally declared that all citizens of the
United States should be equally pro-
tected in their rights. He further
said, with regard to the complaints
Df his sending troops to the South
!or the aforementioned purpose, that
would be recollected that
GEN. FRANK BLAIR
wanted troops sent thither for diff
ferent object saying, in his letter to
Coz. Brodhead, in june, 1866. that
there was but one way to re-
store the Government and the
Iohs'l,uuon, and that was for
the Prcsident-elect to declare
inc Reconstruction acts null and void, |
and compel the army to undo the al
legged nsurpations at the South and |
leave the white people to reorgan;ze |.
their own Governments. "sura,.. >
said the President, 'If the armv :.
cording to Gen. Blair, can be used -
whip out Governments, it could. in
my opinion, be employed to support\
them. The Democratic National
Committee, after this letter was writ
ten, nominated Gen. Blair for Vice.
President with Gen. Seymour.
THE REPUBLICAN STATE GOVERNMENTS
at the South had nothing to expect
from the Democrats. Under their
rule all such Governments would
fade out Is in Mississippi, where
Gen. Ames was legally elected Gov
ernOr, but was forced to vacate the
Office, and IL now q fugitive from the
State"
Tho good are said to die young, but,