New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-03-27
Free TaIk from INC PregIdent.

A Washington special to the New York
Times, March 81, says:
General Thomas w. Conway, late State
Superintendent of Public Education in
Louisiama, and Pierrepont Wilson, Of New
Jersey, had q long interview with the
President this afternoon, after the Cabinet
meeting, regarding the Southern question.
The President was frank, and gave his
views without reserve, the more so as he
knew General Conway had long and hOn-
orable relationship with the South since the
war, and was not now personally or Of
icially interested in the struggle of parties
in that section.
of Louisiana were retrOgreseive and reac-
tiOnary, and could not be trusted with .
defense of the principles resulting from and
settled by the war; that they had opposed
free schools, and would destroy the public
school system; thar they we're apt to resort
more to violence than peaceful. lawful
means of establishing government; that IL
would be disastrous to peace ard prosperity
TO recognize the Nichols government, and
that more good to public education, perma-
nent peace and prosperity would come from
the success of Packard, whom he repre-
sente6 as brave, upright man, ana faith
full public officer, though he had seldom, X
ever, agreed with him as to methods
public policy.
The President, in reply, said that there
was no doubt that for the past eight yeREe
there bad been great degree Of reaction,
retrogression, lawless nsas, violence and
murder in the South, and especially in
Louisiana, where there were 80 many mixed
races that violence resulted almost spou-
taneOugly; that the worst thing that e0nld
happen to the South would be the success
of the Democratic party; that either the
few troops that are there should be taken
away OF more put on duty; that Paokard'o
hoA
from dispatches he had eeen showing 4
weakening OF the Nichols foreesl; thar i
Packard's case continued to improve, the
commission to be appointed would aee thMl
and 90 report, which would simplify rnet
ters very much; that the Bemoarstlp
| party Of the South had better be broken
/ up, Il possible, and the color l1c
obliterated by new and better orgeul14-
| ton Of the Republican party; that the mon
| who were in White Lsague and An-tkiux
L organizations were the laWleea and tRno-
rant, not the respectable aud inleili6t nis
/ that out Of the better olaeH q vaiuablo adal'
tion 10 the Republican party can probably
be had; that the Republican party in he
South needs to be made better, and 14
/ thinks Il can be, and that, 3, AL eEentl Is
/ would be well 20 try and put az cad g aN
/ disorder in the South By removing ltt
cause.-the color ane--and, at az sFen1s| AN
/ would hold hjmaelf ready, IN case talNae
views were found leading him II taeR
direction, 10 change them speedily
Mr.. Conway said he hoped lhafehe pole
| freedmen, who were weak ana poor taH
ienorant, would End ID him hEn 1ni
ike Lincoln.
The President saids t'Fhey H afe|I
and me their friend; but theY 1ee2 at
friends from among those WHO e11 aaN FH
garded a. their eneEnios beaanAe 81 t.e 4
llne.n The President expressed hiae4if
terms Of great charity ior The se4s
yet be Waa emphatic n hia dooiez9lle1
there should IS la1 and order e lHa| 14
tieu. TheaP resident fnTlhdr 1fI4 EHz t|
event would the lToopg be Ni,taIa SRI
that on the eontfafq HeneIaI 0te
ardex recpectIoe Ae InHts 4
mainteinea uas ho cquNlN
afaea aHo1.