Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-12-24

An Interview With Colonel Alex
Rnder MeJIuFe, of the Phil
ndeIphia Times.


Nashville Banner, 2d.l
Colonel Alexander Mcclure, Of the
Philadelphia Times, arrived in the
city last night and registered at the
Maxwell house. In a conversation
with a Banner reporter, this morning,
the distinguished journalist said that
while at Mobile he spent a day with
the Honorable Jefferson Davis. He
believed Mr.. Davis had been unjustly
abused at the north. why" said the
colonel, while | was c%onversing with
him / was struck by the affection with
which some little girls seemed to re-
gard him. They would climb upon his
knee aud caress him as fondly as an
affectionate young mother would her
first born. Little dogs, too, would
bound into his lap unbidden and kiss
his hands aud look lovingly iete his
face. Whenever | see a man beloved
ty children and dogs, | at once con-
clude that he is a good man. | found
Mr.. Davis to be a very interesting
mana much greater mar than Mr..
Stephens. He was affable, kind and
pleasant, and conversed freely upon
affairs concerning the prosperity OF
the south. There is no man living
who is more solicitous fer the welfare
Of the colored race. / was somewhat
surprised at this, in a man, too, absc-
lutely without a country.
The reporter asked Colonel Mcclure
for an expression of opinion concern
ing the south.
"This is my first visit to the south,
and | must say hat | find the section
highly more prosperous than | ex-
pected. Had the cotton crop been a
iull one this year the south would now
be in a state OF unexampled prosperity.
Your farm laborers are paid much
higher wages than those Of the north.
Ii is true VIC pay them fair wages for
two or three months in the year, but
here they have employment the year
round. 1 find the cOlOred people In
much better condition than | was led
to believe could be possible. | find a
general desire among them to improve
their condition. Many of them have
small farms and comfortable homes,
and appear TO be contented. They have
long since given up the desire to rule
their ~superiors, the whites. They have
advanced far enough in intelligence Ia
see the folly of such a hope, fit really
had an existence. They are becoming
more and more content to remain, a.
they are interior to the whites, and a,
far as my observation extends, a more
contented race of people do not exist
| do not know how it is here in you
state, but 10 the other southern st4tei
in which [ have been, | find that the
have the same school advantages tina
the white people enjoy-the ire
schools and the normal schools. Man!
of the race are in a worse condition
and far less happier than when in slav
cry, but as a whole, | believe they ar
$ the best cOntented people that exist il
this country. The condition Of labo
in he south is far in advance Of tina
OF the north; 1t Is more settled and th
laborers are more c%ontented, beside
{ are better paid Tor their labor. Tn
! south is in a much more prosperou
cond ton than is generally believed a
5 the north.
Col. Mcclure spent the day in look
j.. ing about our city. He is superfuou
in his expressions Of his admiration
E for our beautiful capital building, an
r the customhouse. He considers tn
0 jackson statue a great work.
Col. Mcclure leaves tomorrow
0 morning, at eight o'clock, on his re
: turn home, having concluded to. cur
!, tail his southern tour.
Col. Mcclure is a native of Penn
e ~sylysnia, having been born and reare
in that state. He is quite liberal /
r his views on all questions Of polite
S and religion, In appearance he
q digoifed without being houghty, an
t Ia manner courteous, affable and kinC
c In conversation he is brilliant Withor
being enthusiastic. He speaks with
e out restraint, thoughnot unguardedl