Year: 1869

The complicated condition of affairs in
the South ern States continues to absorb the
attention of political circles. The so-called
Conservatives have, up to a recent date,
claimed the support of the Administration;
but the publication, by authority of the
President, of the details of his interview
with General Tarbell of Mississippi, fol-
lowed by the removal from the postmaster
ship of Cotnth of Major Wofford, warm
personal friend of Judge Lewis Dent, and
the forced resignation of General Adams
from the office of district attorney, has so
clearly defined the policy of the powers that
be that no one now pretends for moment
to deny that the influence of the Govern
ment will be used for the benefit of the
Radical parties in Mississippi and Texes.-
Dents friends even yet claim that the Pres
ident will pursue neutral course; but their
claims are most effectually denied by the
removal of otfices-holders who took an
active part in coaxing him to become their
candidate for Governor. And within few
days it is confidently predicted by the Rad


icals, who evidently have the inside track,
that other measures of equal Importance
will be developed for the purpose of de-
feating the Dent and Hamilton tickets
The Conservatives also claim that the
Walker movement in Virginia was support
ed by President Grant; but the latter has
authorized the publication of the fact that
the refusal of the chairman of the Conser-
vative Central Committee of that State to
accept the proposal from the Radical Re
sufficient proof to him that the leaders of
the Walker party do not honestly intend to
keep their promises of reconciliation. He
publicly proclaims his desire that the issues
involved in the contest resulting in his
election shall be forever buried. These is
sues, according to his Interpretation, in
clude the principles announced in his in
augural, and embrace an unequivocal ac-
ceptance of the reconstruction acts and a
cordial submission to the requirements of
the fifteenth amendment. He is not willing
to accept mere say-so as sufficient evil
dence of submission, but requires addition
al proof of acts showing that the freedmen
and white men of the South, without re-
gard to their political opinions, are allowed
to vote as they please. Threats of social
ostracism and labor prescription, many of
which have been most vigorously executed
in Virginia and Tennessee, have reached
him and influenced him in the belief that,
as above stated, the Conservative leaders of
the South are not honest in their profess
sions. In several letters written to promi-
nent Southern leaders lately, he has an
nounced his determination to adhere to the
Radicals until, as in Massachusetts, Con-
servatives, Democrats, Republicans, Radi-
Gals, blacks, whites, all alike, are allowed
to exercise the right of franchise without
intimidation of any kind lie says the ex-
pertinent in Virginia has assured him that
such a condition of affairs does not exist in
the South now. In conclusion, he author-
yes the statement to be made public that
the object and unflinching policy of his Ad-
ministration will be to secure cheerful ac-
ceptance of and obedience to the laws of
Congress particularly relating to the recon-
struction of the Southern States, and that
when he has accomplished this he feels con-
| tdent that the political issues now pending
development will not be of character to
breed discord and serious differences be-
tween the new parties which will necessar-
lily supplant those of the present day by the
final disposal of tho question involved in
the forthcoming Southern elections.
might add much more of similar import as
| the result of the numerous interviews be-
tween the President and Southern politi-
clans during the last three weeks, but it is
sufficient to say that he is determined to
have peace throughout the entire land OH
the basis of the Congressional policy of re-
construction. He does not understand that
/ this can be accomplished through any Other
means than by Il peaceablc and quiet ac


ceptance OF and submission to the laws
He has often during the interviews referred
to reasscrted the declaration embraced il


his inaugural, that the most expeditions
way of securing the repeal of an obnoxious
lay is to vigorously enforce it,


IH3adetphta Press


"a Sidney Smith compares the whistle


of y locomotive to tie squeal of an Attor.


ney, when Satan first gets hold of him.