New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-22
AN INTERVIEW WITH MR.. HAYES.
TIE COLORED MEN TO BE PRoTECTED-THE PREsI-
DENT DEPENDING UPON THE BETTER CLASS OF
SOUTHERN MEN.
TO THE TRIBUNE.1

DENT DEFENDING UPON THE BETTER CLASS OF
SOUTHERN MEN.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
WAsuINGToN. March 21.-Thos. w. Conway,
formerly State Superintendent of Education in
Louisiana, and PieTepOnt Wilson of New-Jersey,
had pleasant interview with the President after
the Cabinet meeting this afternoon in relation to
the Southern question. They report the President
as very frank, and as having expressed himself
reservedly. Mr. Conway told the President that the
present leaders of the Democratic party in Louisiana
are reactionary and retrOgressive
The President replied that the history of the past
eight years shows conclusively that there has been
retrogression to a sad and alarming extent.
Mr. Conway said that the Democrats who are now
seeking to get control of the Government of Louis
lana have opposed every step forward since the
close of the war; and especially all efforts to estab-
lish free schools, and that if they had the power
they would destroy the free-schoOl system.
The President admitted that the Democrats had
pursued destructive policy and that nothing
would be more damaging to the South than the sue
cess of the Democratic party. But" said he,
"what shall we do9 We must either remove the
few troops we have there or increase their number,
and as to removing the troops that are there, we
have determined to continue the last order of Gen.
Grant in respect to the status in quo till the commits
sion returns"
Mr.. Conway favored the recognition of Gov
Packard. As be said himself, he had seldom agreed
with Packard as to public policy in louisiana but
he believed him to be brave, able, and upright
man and faithful officer.
The President said that the case of Packard had
improved during the day, judging from the telegram
he had seen, and if 1t continued to improve the
commission would see it and so report, and that
would simplify matters very much. As to any pres
ent views of duty which he might have, he said: i" l
have no ideas as to this whole matter which am
not ready to change or modify in "a hours if find
they lead in the wrong direction"
The Presidents visitors expressed hope that in
any event the freedmen would be protected, and he
replied very emphatically: They will find Inc their
friend but we need to win other friends for them
from among who, because of the color line, are
now regarded as their enemies; and we must in
some iudicious way divide the Democratic party of
the South and make the Republican party better
than IT 49,"
Mr. Conway thought that any effort to reconstruct
the Republican party by dividing the Democratic
party of the South would fail, because he said, the
Democrats are all members of the White League
and Ku-Klux, and could not possibly become Repub-
licans without putting their lives and social posi-
tons in jeopardy.
The President replied that he hoped it differ
ent and that the better class of white men in the
South would gladly break away from the Demo-
cratic party if they saw good opportunity. lie
mentioned the fact that the recent National RepuD-
lican success in Louisiana due TO the bold and
dignGed stand of Albert Leonard of that State, and
added that none except the vile and lawless would
belong to those secret organizations
The President impressed his visitors with the fact
that he was animated by spirit of mingled Chris
tian kindness and great firmness.