The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-12-25
An Interview With the President.
Has No Fears of Armed Resist
anCe.
Does Not Believe in COnsplraclss.
His View Of the Situation.
The Man Declared to be Elected
Will be lnaugurated.
He signs for ii Relief from oHlce.

1
WASHINGTON, December 24.-Presi.
dent Grant in the course Of converse.
tion with a reporter Of the Associated
Press, to-day, said, in reply to question
that he had no knowledge Of the Demo
cratic armed conspiracy South or West,
as had been reported; he had informa-
tion merely Of organized rifle companies
outside Of the State militia, but he was
not apprehensiye Of an armed collision in
connection with the Presidency, no mat
ter what might be the fears Of others. II
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 reports OF the several
Committees now there would shed light
on the true condition Of their affairs, and
have ten dency 10 solve the existing
difEiculties. 1t was certainly desirable
to establish the actual fact Of the election
OF either Hayes or Tilden, for neither
could feel satisfied il any doubts remained
Of his election, because in such case,
his position al President, wonld not com.
maud the requisite general support.
The President remarked that no one
could suppose he had any connections
with, or relation to the declaration
as 10 who was elected, that was not
matter for him 10 decide. He was
anxious for the coming OF the 4th of
March, when he would gladly give way
to his successor, and b. freed from Off.
cial cares. Before re-establishlng
himself at his home in Galena, Illinois, he
purposes making voyage to the West In.
die-, visiting Havana and other points Of
interest. He had deferred his voyage
till June. The President recurring to
the recent election remarked, that he
should promptly recognize whoever
should be declared his successor, with
this his political feelings would have
nothing to do. II would be recollected
that several years ago, during the guber.
Material contest in Arkansas, and with
both parties representing their respective
cases at Washington, he recognized the
Democrats in preference TO the Republic
cans, because, by legal representation, he
believed that the former was entitled to
the position. While it was true the Presi-
Denial term commences by law, on the
4lh Of March it did not necessarily fol-
low that the President elect should defer
taking the oath OF Office until that time.
lie might take It Immediately after the
declaration OF his election, but Of course
could not enter upon the performance OF
his duties Of President until the 4th OF
March, the day OF retirement OF his pre-
decessor.
The President intends replying to the
House resolution calling for information
us 10 his sending troops TO the South,
and tho authority under which he acted
in all such proceedings. He said that be
endeavored to keep within the limits Of
the law, having always previous to act
ing consulted the Attorney. General, his
legal adviser, and, besides, the Democratic
House OF Representatives during the for
mer session OF Congress, emphatically de-
clarcd thst all citizens OF the United
States should be equally protected in their
rights. lie further said, with regard to
the complaints Of his sending troops 10
the South for the above mentioned pur-
pose, that 1t would be recollected that
Gen. Frank Blair wanted troops sent
thither tor different object, saying in his |
letter 10 Col. Brodhead, in June 1865,
that there was but one way TO restore the
government and the Constitution, and
that was for the President elect TO declare
the reconstruction acts null and void and
compel the army to undo the alleged
at the South and leave the
white people to reorganize their own
rar,a "a
Surely said the President, II The ar my
according to Gen. Blair, could be used
TO wipe out the Governments, 1t could 10
my opinion be employed to support them.
The Democratic National Committee
after this letter was written, nominated
Gen. Blair for Vice President on the
ticket with Seymore. The Republican
State Governments at the South, had
to expect from the Democrats.
Under their rule, all such governments
would fade out, as in Mississippi where
Gov. Ames was legally elected Governor,
but was ordered 10 yacate Office, aud is
nova fugitive from the State. 'a,l e ~
The President seemed pleased with the
action Of the British Government in retir-
Ing from its position on the extradition
clause in the treaty Of 1912, by surrender
Ing Brent, the Louisville forger, remark
Ing that the treaty Which was sus.
pended is thus revived, and hereafter he
would be prepared to reSpond to the re.
from tho British Government
for fugitive criminals. The entire cor
between the two govern
ment's will be transmitted to Congress
on Wednesday. Ja.0 tI't ~
The President said the treatyof 1904
with Great Britain provided only for the
extradition Of persons charged with
murder or forgery, but in the treaty Of
1912 the number Of offenses was increased
10 as 10 include piracy, arson, robbery,
Or the utterance Of forged paper. The
number, he thought, might be still fur
her increased--rot, however, to include
iesertion from the army and navy.