The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-25
And Gives His Usual Sunday
Sermon to the Associ-
ated Press.
He Weakens on the Situa-
ton, and Wants a
ucceSSor.
He is Not Afraid of a Oolli-
sion,
And Thinks the Committees Will
Furnish the SaIye 10 Heal
the Country.

WAsHINGTOS, December 4.-Presi-
dent Grant, in the course Of conversa-
ton with q representative Of the Asso-
Grated Press to-day, said, in reply to
question, that he mad 70 know edge OF
the Democratic armed conspiracy III the
south or west, as had been reported. he
had information merely of organized
rifle companies outside of the State mill
tia, but he was rot spprehensive OF an
armed collision in connection with the
Presidency, no matter what might be
the fears OF others. 1t seemed TO him
that the people desired only
fair count of the electoral vote
in the southern contested States in order
to be satisfied with the result. The
reports OF the several committees there
would shed light on the true condition
of affairs and have tendency to solve
the existing difficulties. It was certainly
desirable TO establish the actual
fact of the election OF either
HAYES or Tilteu. Tor neither could
teei satisfied If any doubts remained of
his e.ectien, because in such case hls
position AS President would not command
the requisite general support. The
President remarked that n one could
suppose he had any connection with
or relative u the declaration rs
to who WAS elected, that II was not n
question for him 10 decide. de was
anxious for the coming Of the 4th OF
March. when be would gladly give way
to his successor and be freed from official
cares, and before re-estabIishing himself
at his home in Galens, ILL.,, he proposed
making voyage to the West Indies,
visiting Havana and other places of in
terest. He had deferred his voyage
to Europe until June.
The President recurring to the recent
election. remarked that h. should prompt
lv recognize whoever should be declared
mis- su ,cessor With this mis- political
feelings should have nothing to do. 1t
would be recollected that several years
ago during tho gubernstorlal con-
test in the State OF Arkansas, and when
both parties represented their respective
cases at Washington, he recognized the
Democrats in preference 10 the Republl-
cans, as by legal representation the for
mer was emitted totho position. While
il was true the Presidential term COM
mences by law on the 4th of March, II did
not necessarily follow that the President
elect should defer taking the oath of office
until that time. lie might take it imme-
dlately after the declaration of his cleo
tion. but OF cOur-e could not enter upon
the performance Ot ms duties o! President
till the 4th Of March, the day
OF retirement of his predecessor.
The Pres ident intends replying TO
the House resolution calling
for information As 10 the sending Of
troops to the South, and the authority
under which he acted III all such pro-
ceedings He said he endCayored 10
keep within the limits Of the law, hAy-
ing always, previous to acting consulted
the Attornev General, his legal adviser,
and besides the Democratic House OF
Representatives during former session
of Congaess, emphaticslly Y declared that
all citizens of the United States should
be equally protected in their rights.
He further said, with regard TO the COM
plants of his sending troops to the
South with the aforementioned
purpose, that il would be reCollected
that General Frank Blair wanted troops
sent thither for different object, saying
in his letter to Colonel Brodk cad, June,
1865. that there was but one way TO res
tore the Government and the Constltu-
ton. and that was for the Presldedt elect
10 declare the reconstruction acts null
and void, and compel the army TO undo
the alleged usurpatlons at the South, and
leave the white people TO reorganize
their own governments. Surely SAID the
President, il the army, according TO
General Blsir, could te used 10 wipe out
the governments it could, in my opinion,
be employed 10 support them.
The Democratic National Committee,
after this letter was written, nominated
Genera! Blair for Vice President on the
ticket with Governor Seymour. The
Republican State governments at the
South had nothing to expect from the
Democrats. Under their rule all such
governments would fade out as in Mis-
sissippi. where Governor Ames was
legally elected Governor, but WAS ordered
20 vscste the office, and is now fugitive
from the State.
The Presiden. seemed pleased with the
action of the British government in re-
tiring from IT. position on the eItesdi-
tion clause of the treaty Of 1912, BY
surrendering Brent, the LoulsvIlle for.
ger, remarkIng that The tresty suspended
Is ,hus reviewed, and hereafter be would
be prepared to respond to requIsitlons
from the British government for fugitive
criminals. The entire correspondence
between the two governments will be
transmitted to Congress on Wednesday.
The President said the treaty Of 1874,
with Great Britain provided only for the
extradition of persons charged with mur-
der or forgery, but IN the treaty OF 1872,
the number of .ofenses wss increased so as
to include piracy, arson, robbery, or the
uttersuce 0: forged paper. TIE number,
he thought, might be still further in-
creased. not, however, 70 include deser-
4