New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-08
PATTERSON At THE WHITE HOUSE.
A LONG TALK WITH TIH PRESIDENT ABOUT lhL
,,,,-pcr ar THE NEW POLICY IL TIE SOUTH.

rr,FFCr OF THE NEW POLICY ~ TIE SOUTH.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIEUSE.l
WAsuNGToN, Dec. IA Republican Senator
who is on intimate terms with the President told
Senator Patterson a few days EGO that If he would
call at the White House he would be cordially
welcomed. Mr.. Patterson asked for what purpose
his presence was desired the Executive Mansion
The reply was that the President wouia Ike 70 n"'
q friendly talk with him.
In response to this invitation Senator patterson
called at the White House yesterday morning ana
had long talk with Mr.. Hayes. Tue conference Is
rnortcd TO have been of the most friendly ana cor
dial character throughout.
Tho senator from South Carolina told The PreSi-
dent frankly that the policy of his Administration
toward the South, since the 4th oil lVS'
March. hal destroyed the Republican party
there When asked what his reasons werei0r expires
sing such an opinion, Mr.. Patterson referred 10
the Legislature of South Carolina, which formerly
had a good working majority Of Republicans, bus
now has only one Republican member left in IT, ana
oven that one about 20 resign. Mr.. Patterson also
said that since Wade Hampton had been placed IN
office bv the President, not Republican meeting
had heeg held i'm the State of South Carolina, ana
further Cham thar. he challenged the President TO
name a single instance in which Republican meet
ing had taken place anywhere in the South since
this Administration came into power. I'll You VIII
point 10 single meeting said he, Il viii resign
my seat in the Senate'
The President replied that he had never thought
of chat before lie admitted that he did not Ieneul-
Der hearing Of any such meeting.
Nj. Patterson also directed lis attention TO tie
fact that tho negroes are very fond OF public
meetings. and Of taking part i'm elections but that
now, throughout the whole south, no negro can be
induced TO 90 to either fearing that he would for
felt Lis life if he should DO so. Mr. Patterson ac-
cilscd the President Of intrusting the management
ofthe Republican party in tie South 10 the Demo
Gratis. lie begged thgt the Administration would
give the Republicans I'm South Carolina chance
lie did not want soldiers, he said; the party can
get along without an army; but be wanted rccogn-
ton for the Republicans, white ana black.
The President thought il possible that The Senator
was in error in regard TO Of his statements
but Mr. Patterson quoted facts and gave references
10 prove what he said and which he told the President
could not DE eansaycd. lie PROPOSED to entertain
for the President the kin0cst personal feelings but
he did not conceal the fact that be thought bis South
cn policy was winous lie had protested against
il 70 tho President DE said again and again, but 10
attention had been paid 90 lis appeals. lie therefore
decided to appeal to the country and ne had been
swercd. llr. Patterson told the President that his
speech had gone from one end Of the country to the
other and that lie had received hundreds of letters
Of cougatulation and requests for printed copies.
lie was not vain enough he said to suppose that this
was due To any personal popularity which he pos
sossed, but it could be attributed only to the
character Of the facts he set forth, which appealed
to every Republican in the country. Even Republi-
can Senator'S hc said, had ordered large numbers OF
the copies Of the speech.
The President discaimcd any attention Of injuring
the Republican parry, and said DE does not think that
lie has done or IS doing so. lis course, ne sad has
been prompted by desire for peace and GOOD feel
ing and ne believes there signs that il is already
at hand lie told Senator Patterson that he is always
anxious to learn The facts and is always accessible