The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-06
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.

WAsHISGTox, April s, 1S7a
PRESIDENT GRANT FOR coNKLING-A CoLoRxD
CONGRESSMAN AS AN INTERVIEWER
Among the SIX coored men who stood by the Presi-
dent in the House on the third term resolution was
Jere HARRISON. Of Selma Ala Representative from the
First district Of that State Mr. Harason according
70 his Official biography, born slave Georgia in
1916, and on tho death OF his first master was
sold on the auction block and subsequently
taken to Alabama Becoming free in 1866
he educated himself twice elected to tho State
Legislature. and In 1874 elected to the present
Congress Every square inch his back shows tho
scars Of the whip OF his slavery days
Mr. HARRISON called the President, and notwith-
standing his illness was cordially invited to con-
ference He went chiefly talk Ne matter Of the
republican officials in his district referred prnc-
pally the removal OF Colonel wichersham the Post
masier Mobile He then commenced at the instance
OF the President 10 talk freely OF tho condition Of
affairs in the South and TO how II would 20 in the
next Presidential campaign.
Mr. HARRISON avowcd himself 10 tho President q
strong Grant man and went on to explain that tho
people OF his State very much divided up between
Bristow, Morton and Conklirg and since the recent
decision Of che Supreme on tho Enforcement net
the coosed people very much staggered and did
not know WHIT to do, the democratic Southern
country papers full OF tho cry OF $50 more force
bisl" mo more niger votingl" mo more military
ruleI" republican Supreme Court had decided
upon t.
The President was very much interested and was ex
ceedingy stirred up and manifested his feelings quito
impressvely to Mr.. HARRISON The President said that
Mr.. Mortoa was very good republican and a very
strong man, but Mr. ConkIing also a strong
and bad always been upright and con-
sstent, well AZ never having had his rcpu-
tation Installed in any way Tho President
wanted TO know how tho delegation from his state
would 20 and for what candidates To this Mr.. Hara-
son answered he could really say that Mr. Morton
was very highly thought Of and Mr.. conkiinx.
Is we'll as Mr.. Brstow; but tho colorcd people would
not think Of Mr.. Blaine.
The President reiterated his conviction that Hr
ConkIing would mako excellent President and Mr.
HARRISON said to him, 'why Mr. President, are you
going 10 clcctionccr for him ?"
To this the President sgnincd In that no was
decidedly In favor OF Mr. Conkling, he thought hs
would make the strongest republican candidate.
Mr. HARRISON went on to say that, having just re-
turned from his State he could say that there
preference for Bristow because the old whg element
Who did not like the democratic leaders. said that
srhough Mr.. Bristow had fought In tho Union
army, yet he q SOUTHERN man, aud would
be more favorable 10 the South" Besides
this tho colorcd people set seriously TO thinking
how they would be Affected in their surroundings by
sustaining radical candidate, and they were ins-
pressed that there might DO question OF policy Tor
them 70 vote for that republican candidate who would
arouse tho least animoscs among the southern pco-
Pic Tho decision Of the supreme Court tho En-
forcement act ought to 10 explained by the Judges or
In some way, for It all mispresented and msun
dcrssood by the ceorsd people now and they did not
know what 10 do.
the PRESIDENT was stili deeply interested and sig
nifed that no would do all In his power 20 encourage
and protect the eolored people. He would not make
the removal contemplated which pressed by sena
Cor Spencer unless there were some charges against
the Official
The interview closed just Mr.. HARRISON was get
ting to the most important part the consultation In
reference 70 the future Of the southern states but il IL
20 BE- resumed at the desire Of President in few
days. when Mr.. HARRISON says occount Of the very
serious aspect Of the destiny Of The SOUTH he desrous
q seng ever the whole nassss q b hss found shs