The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-25
HARRISON TALKS. =
Intelligence Must Continue to Rule.
The Solid South to Be Melted With
Kindness.
What the President Elect Said to q
Citizen of Memphis.
He Will Be President OF the Whole
Nation, Not Section Of 1t.
His Policy to the South TO Be Liberal,
Concillatory and Fraternal - His
Immediate Advisers Talk in
The Same Strain.
Intelligence Must Continue to Rule.


Mr.. John ID. Milburn, president of the
Milburn Gin and Machine Company, re-
turned yesterday from brief trip to the
West, during the course of which he Wis
tied Indianapolis and paid his respects 10
Gen. Benjamin II. Harrison, President
elect of the United States, who received
him kindly and talked Of the South and
the policy OF his administration with re-
spect TO the Southern States in q manner
to impress Mr. Milburn with the convic-
ton that the happiest results would follow
from Gen. Harrisons occupancy Of the
Executive chair. In view OF the vast
mass Of correspondence requiring the
future Presidents attention, something
like 600 letters daily, and the countless
visitors who call upon him, Mr.. NIilburn's
interview was necessarily brief, but tho
points covered by the conversation were
such as to make them Of exceeding inter-
est TO the readers Of THE APPEAL and the
people Of the South generally.
In order TO secure the exact facts, an
APPEAL reporter called upon Mr.. Milburn
yesterday, and requested an account Of
what was said during the course OF his in
terview with tho President-elect. Mr..
Mibun said: "Gen. Harrison treated me
kindly and frankly, and showed no dispo-
sition to avoid discussion Of Southern al,
fairs. The drift OF his remarks was that
he intended 10 be President Of the who'd
United States, and to follow such a policy
as would best conduce TO the welfare q
the whole people, regardless Of geographic
ica location.
"Did you touch him upon the negro
question:
81 did. explained TO him that though
was Republican felt bound to adm q
that the intelligent and respectable Ro-
publicans OF the South we're q
small minority, and that realized
that the intelligence, the respeciaAIIs.
ity, tho wealth, culture and rchneuon1
OF the South were concentrated in ~
Democratic party. also represented
him that there was widespread fear u
the South that Republican success meant
negro domination, and took occasion
10 assure him that negro domipa-
ton meant commercial ruin aud social
chaos. President Hafrison's reply was
brief but significant lie oimply said:
The intelligence OF the South now rulesits
affairs and will continue 10 do So That.
as near as can recollcct, was Gen. Hor-
rlson's language. II meant more than Il
said and did not press him to be moro
explicit"
"Was the general trend OF his CONVERSE
ton such as to impress you that his policy
to the South would be liberalg' L.
at was, decidedly 70. From what he
said infer that he chcrishcs the ambition
to break up the Solid South by "a kind aud
conciiaiory policy, and TO win over 10 tlie
Republican party the support Of the bettar
elements Of the Southern people. As ii
as It lies IN the power OF the President q
accomplish such result, believe he viii
accomplish It. II he fails il will not 10
for want Of an earnest effort inspired ~
patriotic sympathy with the South and
her people" ga
"Did you meet any Of Gen. Ilerrison's
friends and discuss that question With
them2"
81 did, and they were Of ono mind on
that subject There was no hint Of tho
bloody shirt In their utiemnccs. Thcy
expect to win the South with kindncss,
not to aniagonize II with hostile Legislation.
l left them completely roassurcd and I'm
firmly convinced that the Southern pd q
pie have everything TO hope for aud noth-
ing 10 fear from President IIarrison's 40
minlsiraiion."