The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-03-23
NO. IL

|
LS57-1860. He received me in the
'oom OF the Committee on Finance, OF
which he was chairman, and as arose,
after finishing the interview, he asked
ne If I had seen the President. To
negative response, he kindly said
you ought to go and see hlm, for he
thinks we'll Of you, and have often
heard him speak of YOU" replied
that I should be glad to see him and
pay my respects, but I had no business
with him, and he was so much engsg-
ed that an effort to see him would
probably be frultless. Sitting down.,
Mr.. Sherman wrote on his card that !
must be admitted, and, handing it to
me, said: ''This will enable you to see
the President, for he ls at my house."
Gong at once to the house, the cards
were taken in. the President sending
me word that he wonld gladly see me
as soon as delegation then with him
retired. Cordially he greeted me, and
soon affirmed as the predominant wish
of his life and purpose of his admins
tration to paclfcate the lately belIiger-
ent sections, remove all causes of bit !
terness, ard unite in harmony as one
people. In the free and frank conyer
sation, he declared his willingness to
| i,4 hio NohSv,of
on the sole requirement that such an
one would give his administration a
fair and unpre]udlced trial. He men
toned as persons acceptable to him, Oh
the condition mentioned, General Jo-
saph E. Johnston, Hancock, of Texas,
Key, Of Tennessee afterwards appoint
ed Enthusiastically, and myself.
Thanking him for the highly apprecl-
ated homer, I gave reasons why could
not accept, if the position were offered,
and then, at his request, stated what l
knew of the others. To repeat what
passed between us would be censurahle,
although I remember distinctly the
conversation. OF General Johnston ]
spoke freely, saying only what / should
not have hesltated to haye said to him
because he had been my old comman
der, and was my neighbor and cherish
ed friend. Under the circumstances,
. yentured with candor to suggest tina
, the appointment, or the tender OF 1t
s. would be misunderstood, as no one Wa
J more identified with the Confederacy
% and bis presence at the council boaf'
y would inflame afresh unextinguishet
sectional animoslties and retard wha
he (tha PresidenD wished to accom-
:, plish, By arraying against his admins
ton the powerful hostility of such Re
> publican leaders as Conkling- an
- Chandler. The sentiments OF tn
President were so patriotic and liberia
that was quite prepared for his Dol
~ and manly action afterwards, when h
- relieved South Carolina and Louisan
:. OF the irritating presence OF the fede
:, al troops. No public officer was eve
more sincerely and unselfishly anAio,
to mitigate aninosity and promo
~ Justice and fraternity.
n ~ In 1878, he accepted an invitation
o' attend the Agricultural Fair in Rlcl
mond, and he was accompanied
saveral members OF his Cabinet az
~ their wives and daughters. An ov
" ton was given him, and he made
most agreeable impression upon Y
~ ginians by his speeches, bis cordl
manner, and his patriotic utteranc'
:. The President and Mrs. Hayes, n
- and Mrs. Evarts, Mr.. and Mrs. Sh'
man, Mr.. Thompson (Secretary OF
60 Navy, a native OF Culpeper count
'e General Devens (the Attorney-Gen
~ aD, Senator Morgan {who was c
.a guesD, Generals Wickham and l.
and Mr.. james Thomas breakfast
-, with US ana made memorable oc
sion bv the mirth, the wit, the &C
humor. and the evident enjoyablen
m w. on the part OF those who gather
--,. around the table.
Of Hayes solved most benehcent'y
i, II, conuudrum of what to do with an
,;,,s President, by giving head and heart
ned philanthropy and the cause OF edu
,on- ton. As a member of the twogr
oro. educational trusts for the benefit OF
and South, he was punctual in his atte
,,r;- ance. wise in his counsels, and resp
O 70 ed by and influential with. his
,nce leagues. When Bishop Haywood,
allv. general agent of the John-F 81;
ress. Fund, resigned, General Hayes
do, ouested me to meet him in Baltin
,ion for a private conference, as he per
hay- red not to go to Washington, WI
sd- his visit might attract public atten
ayes. and subject him to unjust susp!cl
nced When the interview occurred, he
lion. nlained with frankness the whole
dent alton, and begged me to becom
..tod trustee and the general manager OF