Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-10-22
IMPORTANT FROM THE
SOUTH.
Georgia DESTROYS 10 Return 40 the
Union-4Amnesty wonld be Accept

Georgia DESTROYS 10 Return 10 the
Union-Amnessy wonld be Accept.
ed.
Special Correspondence of The Chicago Tribune.
NASHVILLE, Oct. z, 1854.
this morning met an old acquaintance,
the Hon. Joscphus Gays, Clcak of the Geor-
gia House of Representatives, and late edi-
tor of The Atlaita Register, and still later
of The Georgia Times. He has always been
an opponent of the JEFF Davis administration
and in favor of q reconstruction, or rather
the restoration Of the Union, but he dare
not avow his sentiments. On the capture
of Atlanta he wrote an article, and publish
cd it in his paper, The Georgia Times, in
favor of return to the Union, and the re-
suit was that JEFF Davis issued an order for
his immediate arrest; but he escaped to our
lines, and is going to Illinois.
He states that to-day, thrce-fourths of the
people are in favor of an immediate return
to the Union; but they dare not speak out,
as their lives would pay the forfeit if they
did There is no such thing rs freedom of
speech in Dixie; "thc government of JEFF
Davis is the worst despotism ON earth," are
his very words.
Mr.. Gays has had an opportunity 10 un-
derstand the motives of the Rebel leaders;
he declares upon his own personal knowl-
edge that their object in entering in this
Rebellion was to establish an Aristocracy.
The wealthy people of the South believe it
degrading to them tn associate with the
mud-sills of the North; and they determined
to form an oligarchy, which will place them
above the masses of the people.
AS Clerk of the Georgia House of Repre-
sentatives, he is familiar with the views of
both houses are in favor of a return to the
Union-a portion from principal, and the
remainder because they have lost all hope.
He states that the leaders only keep the
army together by promising that if McClel-
Ian is elected Valandigham will be his Sec
retary of State, and then the South will be
given its independence.
Gov. Brown is for reconstruction or re-
storation. Mr.. Gays AYERS, he had, four
weeks since, dong conversation with him
on the subject, and knows of what he speaks.
He knows, also, that the Governor has lost
all hope of establishing the independence of
the Confederacy, apd that he is anxious for
a return to the Union at the earliest practi-
cable period.
l asked: suppose when Richmond is
taken the President shall issue an Amnesty
embracing all except few of the leaders
say score-and proposes at the same time
that the question of Slavery shall be lef. to
the Supreme Court to decide who are freed
by the action of the war and who are not
what will be the result?"
His answer was: They will accept il
willingly"
| l then asked him what would bc the re-
suit of an honest decision as to the subject
so far as the negro was concerned.
Those slaves who have avaied themselves
of the Emancipation Proclamation and
sought the protection of the army viii be
free; those who have not, will be held a>
slaves; about half will thus be cmancipatcd
But it matters not who will be left in Sla
very, the negroes are so demoralized and SC
inspired with the desire of freedom, tina,
the institution would be worthless-it could
| never be resurrccted"
Mr.. Gays will go to Illinois, bearing let
ter of introduction to Gov. Yates. He says
the Rebellion can't survive the re- e-electi on o
Mr.. Lincoln, and could not survive tn,
election Of any man who would be true to
the Union. lie asserts that Gen. Grant die
not eXaggerate when he declared that tn,
Conlederacy had robbed the cradle and tho
| grave, Able bodied men were not to b,
found in the Contederacy outside of the
| army.