Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-01-04
ANOTHER INTERVIEW WITH GRANT.

On the day before Christmas, President
Grant accorded second interview to Mr..
Gobright, the agent Of the Associated Press,
in Washington. The conversation was of a
social and somewhat explanatory character,
and is reported as follows:
Gen. Grant said in reply to question, that
he had no knowledge of Democratic arm.
ed conspiracy in the South or West, as had
been reported. He had information merely
of the existence of organized rife companies
in the South outside of the militia. He was
not apprehensive of armed collisions in con-
nection with the Presidency, No matter what
might be the fears of others. All the peo.
pie desired, he thought, was fair count OF
the Electoral vote in the Southern contested
Safes, in order to be satisfied of the result.
The reports of the several committees now
there on the true condition of affairs would,
he believed, have a tendency to solve the
existing political difficulties. 1t was Ger.
tainly desirable to establish the actual fact Of
the election of either Hayes or Tilden, for
neither of them would feel satisfied if any
doubt remained of his election, because, in
such case, his position as President would
not command the general support required
for that station. The President remarked
that no one could suppose that he had any
connection with or relation to the declara-
ton as to who was elected. That must be
determined by the legislative branch of the
government, when he would gladly make
way for bis successor. He was now anxious
for the coming of the 4tb of March, when he
would be freed from official cares. Before
re-establishing himself at his home in GaleDa,
Illinois, where he owns house, he proposes
making voyage to the West Indies, visiting
Havana and other points of interest He
has deferred his voyage to Europe till June,
for the reason that his youngest son, Jesse,
will not graduate until that time, and he is
desirous of taking his son with him. The
President said that during his Presidential
terms his health had been very good, and it
was now excellent. Recurring to the recent
election, he remarked that he should prompt
ly recognize whoever should be declared his
successor. With this his political feelings
would have nothing to do. 1t must be re-
collected that several years ago, during the
gubernatorial contest in the State of Arkan.
sas, and when both parties represented their
respective cases at Washington, he recog-
nized the De nocrats in preference to the Re
publicaps, because by legal representation the
former were entitled to the position. While
it was true that the Presidential term COM
mences by law on the fourth of March, it did
not necessarily follow that the President
elect should defer taking the oath of office
until that time. He might take it immedi-
ately after the declaration of his election,
and enter on the performance of his duties as
President on the fourth of March; the day of
the retirement of his predecessor. The Pres
ident intends to reply to the House resolu-
ton calling for information as to the sending
Of troops to the South, and the authority un'
der which he did so. In all such proceedings
he endeavored to keep within the limits of the
law, having always, previous to acting, con-
suited the attorney general. his legal adviser
and, besides, the Democratic House OF Rep.
resentatives, during the former session OF
Congress, emphatically declared that ell cltl.
zens of the United States should be protected
in their rights. He further said, with regard
to the sending of the troops to the South,
though it was for the above mentioned pur-
pose, it would be remembered that Gen.
Frank Blair wanted troops sent there for a
different purpose, saying in his letter to Col.
Broadhead, in June, 1868, there was but one
way to restore the Government and the Con-
stitution, and that was for the President to
declare the reconstruction acts null and void
and compel the army to undo the alleged
usurpations at the South, and leave the white
people to recognize their own governments.
"'Surely," said the President, IF the army,
according to Gen. Blair, could be used to
wipe out governments, it could, in my opln'
ion, be used to support them. The Demo-
cratic National Convention, after this letter
was written, nominated Gen. Blair for Vice
President, on the ticket with Governor Sey'
mour. The Republican State Governments
at the South had nothing to expect from
the Democrats Under their rule all sach
governments would fade out, as in Misslssip'
pi, where Gen. Ames was legally elected Gov, |,
ernor, but was forced to vacate the office and
is now fugitive from the State"