Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-12-12
GOV. Johnson ana a RebeI Pri.ouer.

MF. Truman, the Nashville correspondent Of
the Philadelphia Press gives the following
port ofa conversation between Gov. johnson
aud rebel officer captured the day before 1t
will be seen oa what fiimsy Preiexts the rebels
pretend to fight and that ii takes very little
gument to demOlish their strong points As is
generally the case, the prisoners were brought
before Col. GillrnOn, the Provost Marshal, and
the Governor happening to be present, the fol-
lowing conversation took place between his TX
eelleuey and a Capt Harris. one of the Prison
ers:
Governor Johnson-WeIl, Mr.. Harris, I am
sorry to see you in this company. knew your
father many years, and always found him a be
sincere aud true Union man.
Harris-l'm Just where l want 10 be, sir.
GovernOr-Let me, Mr. Harris. not for the
sake of argument, but in a friendly manner, ask
you what rights you have ever lost under the
Constitution
Harris-Well, would mention the right to
recover slave property from the free States.
GOverDOr-CRn you mention an instance
where property Of that description was not re-
covered when identified You know, sir. we
eannot always recover whatw have lost, be that
property horses cattle OF negroes unless we
tirst discover their whereabOuts.
Harris-We are not fighting as much for what
we hare lost, as for what We RiqAt RGrc lost, un-
der the present Administration.
Gan audible smile was here INDUCED in BY
the bystanders, IN which the Governor Joined. }
GovemOT-We won't speak Of things which
might have occurred You can see, as well as /,
what has happened from the attempt made BIZ
designing men TO overthrow the best and wisest
Government the sun ever shOne upon; and tell
you, sir that the laws viii be executed, and this
unholy rebellion pat down.
Harris-This war was forced upon US
| GOEernor-SFOrced upon usin We have =
Constitution which says that the Government
has power TO put down instruction and To sup
press rebellion Now, rho commenced this re-
hellionf Did not the South first fire upon For,
Sumter; sieEe our forts arsensls, and property
belonging To the Government on every portion
0f the Southern territory. tell you sir, that
this IS war for I slave aristOcracT, and was
brought about BY few designing, disappointed
politicians to obtain power and place More
over, they are the men for whom you and thsss
iPTisOners are fighting, when thousands Of deI1d-
ed men now sleep in unknoEn graves and Ian.
guish in prisons and for Ehati Why, that this
aristOeraey you are seeking to elevate may re.
main at home secure from interreption-so lons
IS their wealth can procure them 20 niggers-
and you, who never owned a negro and neve
expect 70, fight and perish for such a eause a
that Gentlemen, / assure you, al whzteve
cost, the Government VII put down this rebel
; lion and that this country viii be one eountrl
and one Government, nov and foEeSermors.
Harris evidently wiltsd under the admoB:
! tons Of the Governor, and he answered him no
again This Harris IS the son Of George Hzrri,
formly leading politician, and az oRs time Cd
itOr Of 4 newspaper in Nashville he has 20
. some yeaEs been puzssr in the URitsd State
Navy.