Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-05-04
Correspondence OF The New York Herald. !

RICHMOND, VA, April "a.
In order, if possible. to get some clear light for
the solution of the new complications growing
out OF the murder of President Lincoln, yester-
DAY sought and obtained an interview with that
distinguished soldier and leader OF the rebel ar
mics, General Robert +. Lee and was permitted
to draw out his views on the very important
questions suggested.
Ii will cot be possible TO relate the extended
conversation that ensued with any approach to
ersctness, no notes having been en-, and it
will not, there fore, be attempted but will con-
fine myself 10 the record of the views expressed
by Gen. Lee on several prominent topics. as
understood him TO express himself.
GENERAL LEE VIRGINIA AND THE REBELLION
The generals attention was directed TO his
written and spoken determination to draw his
sword in defense only of his native state, and
the inquiry was raised as TO what he considered
the defense OF Virginia and what degree of de
liberation he had given to that expression. He
stated that. as a firm and honest believer in the
doctrine OF state rights. he had considered bis
allegiance due primarily to the state in which be
was born, and where he had always resided. And
although he was not an advocate of seces sion at
the outset. when Virginia seeded he honestly
believed it his duty to abide her fortune. He
opposed secession TO the last. foreseeng the ruin
il was sure to entail. But when the state with
drew from the union he had no recourse in bis
views OF honor and patriotism, but TO abide her
fortunes he went With her. intending 10 remain
merely q private citizen.
When he resigned his commission in the Unit.
ed States army he had no intention of taking up
arms in any other service. aud least OF all in a
service antagonistic to the United States His
state, however called for him, and. entertaining
the fixed principle OF state sovereignty, he had
.ols 81 INIT he rvfa in.
he was called. When he made use of the decls
raiions that have been 90 extensively quoted of
late, he had accepted only a position from Vir
GINA.
Subsequently,, when Virginia attached herself
to the southern coufederscy, the same political
impressions induced him to follow her, and when
be accepted service under the rebel government
he did so on the principle that he was defending
his native state, and yet, by the act OF accepting
such service he was bouRd honor to serve in
any part Of the confederacy where he might bs
called, without reference to the state line: and
the reconcilia alton With his former avowa. il any
were necessary, was found in the fact that Vir-
ginia, standing or falling with the other south
ern states, in defending them all he was defend
ing the one TO which he considered bis allegiance
primarily due
STATE RIGHTS.
general contends that there exists a legitimate
cssHs belI 10 the convention that formed the
organic law OF the land, the question OF defining
the relative powers OF the states. and their res
ton. to the general government. was raised. but.
after much discussion, was dropped and left un-
settled Ii has remained unsettled until the
presen, time This war Is destined 10 set II at
rest IL IL unfortunate that il was not settled
at the outset hut az il Was not settled then, and
had 10 be settled some time. The war raised on
this issue cannot be considered treason. II the
south i forced TO Submission in this contest, t,
OF course can only be looked upon as the Fri
the forced annihIatOu Of the latter
rHE sIGNITICSNcE or MS SURRENDER
As 10 the effect OF his surrender. be was free
to say it was a severe blow 10 the south but not
crushing blow IL Was OF military. not politi
cal significance. / asked. Was not that sur
render virtual surrender of the doctrine Of state
righisf" by 70 means, tie general re
Piled When tie south shall be wholly sub
dued, there all then uadenlably be q surrender
Of that doctrine But the surrender Of single
army i simply a military necessity. The army
OF Nort5ern Virginia was surrendered because
further resistance on it, par, would only entail
(. useless sacrifice OF life But that army Was
merely part of the force OF the south. When
abe south shsl be forced 10 surrender all it forces
and returns TO the union. it. indsputably. by
that act, surrendsrs its favorite doctripe of Sc
cession That principle will then be settled by
military power"