The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-01-24
WHAT PRESIDENT GRANT SAYS.
He Desires 4 Fair Count and will Recognize
Whoever Is Declared Elected.

He Desires Il Fair Count and will RecoRniZ'
Whoever Is Declared Elected.
President Grant, in a conversation
with a representative of the New Yorl
Associated Press, said that he had NJ
knowledge OF Democratic armed con
spiracy South OF West, as had been re-
ported. He had information merely O.
organized rife companies outside OF the
State militia, but he was not apprehen
sive of armed collisions in connection
with the Presidency, no matter what
might be the fears Of others. 1t seemed
to him that the people desired only a fail
count of the electoral vote in the contest.
ed Southern States in order to be salts
fled of the result. The reports Of the
several committees now there would shed
light on the true condition of affairs,
and have a tendency to solve existing
difficulties. 1t was certainly desirable tn
establish the actual fact of the election o1
either Hayes or Tilden, he said; fol
neither could feel satisfied if any doubt
remained of his election, because in such
case his position as President would not
command the requisite general support.
The President said that no one could
suppose that he had any connection with
or relation to the declaration Of who was
elected. That was not matter for him
to determine. He was now anxious, he
said, for the coming Of the fourth Of
March, when he would gladly give way
to his successor; and, freed from official
cares, before re-establshing himself in
his home at Galena, ILL.,, where he owns
a house, he proposed making trip to
the West Indies, visiting Havana and
other points Of interest,". He has de-
ferred his voyage to Europe until June,
for the reason that his youngest son,
Jesse, whom he wishes to accompany
him, will not graduate before that time.
The President said that during mis- two
terms of office his health had been very
good, and it was now excellent.
Recurring to the recent election, he
said that he should promptly recognize
whoever should be declared his success
sor. With this his political feelings
would have nothing to do. 1t would be
recollected that, several years ago, dur
ing the gubernatorial contest In the State
of Arkansas, and with both parties rep
resenting their respective cases at Wash
ington, he recognized the Democrat in
preference to the Republican, because,
by legal representation, the former was
entitled to the position. While it was
true that the Presidential term begun on
the fourth of March, it did not neces-
sarily follow that the President elect
should defer taking the oath of office
until that time. He might take it imme-
diately after the declaration OF his elec-
ton; but, of course, could not enter on
the performance of his duties as Presi-
dent until the fourth of March, the day
of retirement of his predecessor.
The President intends replying to the
House resolution calling for imforma-
ton regarding the sending of troops to
the South, and the authority under
which he acted in 50 doing. In all such
proceedings he said he endeavored to
keep within the limits of the law, having
always previous to acting consulted the
acknowledgement, his legal adviser; and,
besides the Democratic House Of Repre-
sentatives, during former session OF
Congress, emphatically declared that all
citizens Of the United Suites should be
equally protected. He added, in regard
to the complaints concerning the sending
of troops to the South for the above
mentioned purpose, that it would be rec
objected that Glen. Frank Blair wanted
troops sent thither for different object,
saying in his letter to Col. Brodhead, in
June of 1866, that there WAS but one way
to restore the government and Constltu-
ton, and that was for the President elect
to declare the Reconstruction act null
and void, and compel the army to undo
the alleged usurpations at the South,
and to leave the white people to reor-
ganize their own governments. Surely,
said the President, if the army, accord
ing to Gen. Blair, could be used to wipe
ont the governments, it could, in my
opinion, be employed to support them.
The Democratic national convention,
after this letter was written, nominated
Gen. Blair for Vice-President on the
ticket with Gov. Seymour.