Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-09-11
THE ST. PAUL DAILY GLOBE THURSDAY MORNING. SEPT H. 1879
HON. JACOB THOMPSON.

Hun. JACOB THOMPSON.
Presence OF the Ex-Secretary of the In
terion in st. Paul-Intervlewed by q
Globe" Reporter on Matters Past and
Present In tho South.
Among the host of arrivals at the Metropol-
itan hotel yesterday tho register recorded the
following:
j. Thomson and wife, Miss Mamie Thomp-
son, Mrs. p. A. Pierson, and Miss Susie Duke,
Memphis, Tenn.
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
No sooner had tho first name been read than
the GLOBE called to mind that the Hon. Jacob
Thompson had been Secretary of the Interior
under President Bachanans administration,
had figured conspicuously as statesman
during the days of the Confederacy, and was
altogether an important link between the
tragic past and the peaceful present.
The conventional method was employed,
and the Hon. Jacob Thompson
and the GLOBE became acquainted, greatly to
dutiful spirit the GLOBE shares with its many
patrons.
In IN Introductory way the GLOBE referred
to MIR. ThOmpson's cabinet services.
Mr.. Thompson alluded to his connection with
the Buchanan administration, and stated that,
after casting his fortunes in the conflict of war
with his native State. Mississippi, he never
held Office, or at least a cabinet position in the
South. '35G az
THE NIAGARA PEACE CONFERENCE. &
Reference was made to his connection with
"peace measures" or the Niagara peace confer.
ence, in which the late lamented Horace Gree
ley took Sd conspicuous a part. ...: tarss-f
Mr.. T thompson remarked that he had taken
occasion to correct accepted history in regard
to that. His name had been coupled with that
early effort to restore peace, but the use of his
name was wholly unauthorized. 1t was a
measure inaugurated solely by Saunders and
Clay, of the South, whose representations in
duced Greeley to participate. 81 took no part
in it, said Mr.. Thompson, from the simple
fact had no authority, nor had they, from my
government to make any negotiations what
ever"
Following, other "reminiscences of ''the war;
and of the time kindred to that epoch were re-
called. and detailed with interest But
were abandoned for queries
about the present. Since the war Mr.. Thomp-
son has been a resident of Memphis, and nat
urally he was asked:
What advices have you received in regard
to the yellow fever in your city?" ,e,
FEvER-sTR1CKEN MEMPHIS.
From private sources I have received a full
confirmation of what the public prints have
told from day to day. The latest is that while
the fever is not abating it has become more
manageable. Tt is not spreading, and the new
cases are less violent and seldom fatal. The
worst is past, SO am advised"
MI. Thompson left Memphis last July. At
$hok ~ ~Ek Ill
ported, and that declared to be merely spora-
die. In fact the faculty were universal
in the opinion that beyond sporadic yellow
fever no fears need be entertained. An cpl
demic was not apprehended, in fact declared as
wholly impossible.
This opinion, which allayed the fears of the
people and lulled Memphis into a false state of
of the locality where the disease is almost en-
demic, know of this plague.
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY.
With q jumping as we'll as pumping interrog,
atory, Nj, Thompson was asked:
''Does an luminosity exist in the South against
Northern immigration?'
''Not at all. The North find entertains
a wrong idea, makes grave error in believing
that any enmlty or bitterness of feeling exists
in the South against the settlement of North
ern people among them. Likely such ami
mostly did exist, but now it is absolutely
dead"
In further remarks upon this subject it was
stated that socially and in business the North
ern man who came as a bona fde settler or
resident became in all respects citizen of the
community as the one to the manner born.
Mr.. Thompson said some Northerners came to
the South imbued with the prevalent idea at
the North that such luminosity did exist.
They came with that suspicion and worked it
up into an antngOnism, which was wholly of a
personal nature begotten by themselves.
JEFFERSON DAVIS. OF MISSISSIPPI.
The next Interrogation point was,
'What do you think of jeff. Davis candid
acy for the United States Senate, to replace
Bruce, of mississippi"
II don't believe he will permit the use of his
namc. Furthermore, think there will be an
opposition to him which will put him out of
the probability of making such a contest.
There are new men of commanding talent in
mississippi who seek political prefcrment, and
they will hardly submit, or at least quietly, to
a revival of old issues in the person of Davis.
think he can be wholly counted out Of any
such contest. To be sure, I believe the mass
of the people would like to see him returned,
but it will be managed differently for the rea-
sons have stated"
''Then Mr.. Davis retains his hold upon the
affection of the people of the South? ?"
AT the end of the war he was ANYTHING
but popular. But his long imprisonment
awoke public sympathy for him, he being held
no more guilty than others, and restored him
to public favor"
THE NEGRO EXODUS.
"'The Exodus, Mr.. Thompson, how is that
going to affect the South2'
II can sec no reason for alarm. Where the
negro abandons the field, white labor will
come. The negro now is only employed be-
cause he's there. and If he leaves his place will
be quickly supplied by white labor"
In your vicinity has the exodus been felt?"
Not at all. To be sure some of the
emissaries have been visiting among the re-
groes, but as yet they haven't induced hegira
among the blacks. So far the exodus has been
confined to the lower Mississippi. and verify
believe 1t will soon subside, the excitement
will. In any event. whether they stay or 90,
the problem of labor will adjust itself The
demand arising, the laborer will respond"
SOUTHERN oUTRAGEs.
The pleasant interview, or properly the con.
versation, could not be terminated without a
reference to 1.-THE Southern outrage" business.
MIR. Thompson was prompt to regret the MUIR
derous occurrences which frequently dis
graced the South, but emphatically declared
that no political significance could attach to
these personal feuds, resulting in tragedy.
The fact is, they are magnifed in great
measure and made or forced to do political SER
vice, for the Republican party has no capital
beyond that of hating and teaching hatred for
the South
The above are salient points of the agreeable
in which the GLOBE played the
role of listener, only interrupted occasionally
to point the way for further informatlon. Mr..
Thompson is genial and courteous gem
tlemnn of the old school, beyond 65 years Of
age, less in appearance. He and party have
been summering in the Suwanee mountains
East Tennessee, and only few weeks ago pro.
iected trip to st. Louis, which has been ex-
tended to Minnesota, to the great delight of
every individual member of the party.
THE COURTS.