The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-18

pressed great interest in Mexico, and Hoped
that the most cordial relations would exist
between that republic and ours. He expressed
the warmest feeling for the Mexican people. and
hopeful expectations for their progress and
gro With; In fact, ie impressed me As having the
Hveliest interest in the success OF Mexico, and
predicted for 1t a great future.
On questioning him about Tie travels In the
East, he expressed very great admiration for
the Japanese, and predicted that they would
soon adopt Western ideas. and would be
greatly in advance OF the other Monaghan ma
lions. He particularly dwelt upon the polite.
ness and attention the Japanese showed to old
people. He said that n Japanese Prince would
step out OF the way to allow an aged man or
woman, evon IL n begRar, 20 pass by, and that
the japanese were devoted to their parents,
and showed them on all occasions the greatest
affection and respect. He predicted the change
OF government In Japan which has since oo-
Cured, but which he did not live to see.
He impressed me very much by his close Oh
servation OF the country through which he
was passing. He made many inquiries about
the soil, climate, products, &C., ard he showed
q great desire TO know all about 1t.
While ! found him to bc a most ~Dleasant and
ready conversationalist, he evinced .somo de-
gree Of hesitancy at first In conversinp about
the late war. However after n while, he an
swcred my nu nerous Inquiries with great
frankness and without reserve. He ex-
pressed high admiration for Gen. Forrest as q
cavalry officer, and dwelt particularly on his
having captured some Vunboats with cavalrv.
He treated this as somewhat OF Joke. ] said to
him that somo persons had claimed that he and
not Gen. Sherman was the author and III. jcct-
or OF that officers march to Savannah from
Atlanta. the famous march to the sea-" lie
promptly reDlied that this was n mistake; that
the credit OF the origin and succesa of that
movement was due solely to Gen. Sherman.
He said that the authorities at Washington
were doubtful OF It's success, but that he vas
not, for he had fell confidence IN Sherman.
He asked me II l knew his friend Josiah De.
leach of Memphis. On my answering In the
affirmative, he repeated to me In substance
what ne afterward wrote in his book regarding
Deloach's having at one time saved him from
capture by Gen. w. II. Jackson's
Gen. Grant, when President, appointed Mr..
Deloach Postmaster at Memphis and retained
him In the face of many urgent protests from
leading Re publicans. Deloach was an old
line Whig with q natural hatred for Demo-
,rats. politically but not personally, and nLtur.
allr drifted into the Republican iarty. The
General said he regarded Gen. Joseph E. John
ston Ne one of the ablest of the Confederate
utntTuln, anu Iuht no tihnt CHilphtSu Wh
na,terpiece Of strategy. He had known Gen.
Johnston before the civil war and always re-
garded him as . very able officer. He spoke of
the displacement OF Gen. Johnston by Gen.
Hood as one OF the greatest mistakes OF the
Confederate Executive.
In a con sersatiol regarding the future sta
tus OF the negro race In the United States, he
said 1t was a very serious question and one
whi.h gave him great concern. He gave as his
reason for urging the acquisition OF San Do
mingo, while President. that it would afford a
proper place for slch Of the negroes as might
wish to EN- CRATE, and that there they would be
able to show whether or not they had capacity
for self government.
He said ne doubted the policy OF giving the
emanclpated negro the right to vote at once.
He thought It was q problem; yet. he said,
after the Government had emancipated the
negro and snfranchised him, 1t was cowardly
not To support aud defend him In this right. He
criticised the action Of certain leading Repub
licans on this point.
He said he hoped the good sense OF the South
ern people would lead them TO do Justice 70
the.negro, who he said must always he. as he
had feared, Tor ages dominated by tho whites.
Hut he hoped ana believed that the southern
people would aid the negroes In progress In
every way. He said to me, as he afterward
wrote, that there was no oner OF Gen. Leo 10
surrender his swo-d' nor no tLought or inteh-
ton of his to demand 1t.
I told him that tho Southern people had al
WAYS regarded with the creates. admiration
and satisfaction the liberal terms he gave Con.
Lee, ana especially III allowing Tue men 10 re-
tain their horses. HIS reply was that TINS ap-
peared to him net only an act OF kindhess 70
the men, out also one OF Solemn uuty'
l mentioned TINS conversation with 1en.