The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-04-29
The South Never Half in Earnest
in the War.
THE SOUTH AND SLAVERY.
THE TERMS OF PEACE.
LEES DESIGNS FOR THE FUTURE.
Sc, &c., &c.
mr. Thomas M. Cooks Despatch.
RICHMOND Va Aprii d 1895

GENERAL ROBERT \. LEE.
In order, II possible, TO get clear light for the
soiutlon OF the new complications growing of the
murder Of President Lincoln yesterday sought and OBJ
tained an Interview with that distinguished soldier and
leader OF the rebel armies, General Robert F. Lee and
was permitted to draw his views on the very iInpor.
tant questions suggested II is proper to say that my
deception was everything that could be expected rom
gentleman who has always been considered type of the
once famous chvary and had almost said nobility of
virginia Pom and ink sketches of General Lee have
De so numerousy made Of late by newspaper writer's
thai any attempt at this time by in that direction
would ne work OF supererogation. may simply
say that the firm step, the clear voice. the bright
beaming countenancc the quick intelligence the up
right form and the active of the General very
strongly belio the portratures Of him which are so
common. All the vigor and animation and ability Of
ripe manhood are prominently conspicuous in his bear
Ing His venerable white hair and beard simply inspire
respect for the mature ideas and deliberate expressions
that come from this conspicuous rebel leader but in no
wise convey an impression OF decay or old age.
INTRODUCTION.
Il was certainly embarrassing 10 me, on introducing
tho object Of my visit say that intended to Law his
political views before the public his military career
had already been His repiy-'I paroed prisoner'
at once appealed 10 ny sympathy. frank generous
man. how far may properly question him without touch
But when no added 81 have been politician and
know but little Of political leaders, am a soldier
felt easier assured him that had TO oesl
his scnsbility tempt him to violate any prcsuniae
Obligation under his parole; but that being promn y
identified with the rebellion his views the questt ms
arising out u that rebellion would be of great niers at
the present moment and doubtless Of great import ance
and influence in the settlement Of the troubles ayr atng
the country, and with this view only called upo him.
He replied that the prominence he held ght by
himself and disasteu to him. That he preier retire
ment ane exclusion. But ready to make AM sacrifice
perform any honorable that would md to the
restoration of peace and tranquility TO the mary
EXPLANATORY.
II will not be possible TO relate the led converse
tion that ensued with any approach to exacness no
uoos having been taken, and it will mo- therefore, be
attempted; but will conine myself to a record of the
expressed by General Ice yerol monument
'eopics, as l understood him 10 express nimself
GENERAL LEE, Tns REBELLION
The Generals atcntion direct" 20 his written and
spoken determination TO draw his ord in defence only
OF his native State, and the Try was raised as TO
what lac considered the defence Virginia. and what
degree Of delberaon had Civ N 10 that expression
He stated that hrm and nor est believer in the doc
OF State rights he had ered his alecaDc. due
primarily TO the State in which was born and where he
had always resided And, ~ though he was not an nd.
vocao Of secession at the on sc when Virginia seeded
he honestly believed ibis Nv ty 10 abLe her fortune He
opposed secession 10 the la t. iorcyccng the ruin 1, was
to entail But when the State withdrew from the
Union he had no recourse In his views OF honor aud pa
troiis, but TO abide he fortunes He went with her.
intending to remain me rly private citizen When he
resigned his commssio n in the United States army he
had no intention OF 70 KING up any other service
and least Of oil in service ansgonsiic to the United
call for
tanning the fixed pr ncpies he did OF State
he had no sternaI but TO accept the service which
he was called. hen be made of the declarations
that have been extensively quoted OF late, he id
pied only commission from Virginia. subsequently,
when Virginia attached herself to the southern confede
racy the sa political impressions PEELED him follow
her. and whs he accepted service under the rebel gov
eminent he did the principle that he de- ending
his native State And yet, by the act Of accepting such
service nc bound in honor 10 In any part OF
Che cono ,deracy where might be called without refer
enoe State lines and the reconciliation with his former
avoS1 IL any necessary, found in the fact
thai Virginia, standing falling with the other Southern
s's In defending them all he defending the one
@V iich he considered his allegiance pr marily due.
rHs SIGNIFICANCE SURRENDER.
As TO the elect OF his surrender he free say
was severe blow to the South but not a crushing
blow. It was of military, net political Significance
asked was not that surrender virtual surrender Of the
doctrine of State rights by means the General re-.
Piled Whom the South shall he wholly subdued there
will then undeniably be surrender Of that doctrine
But the surrender Of a single army simply military
necessity. The army Of Northern Virginia was surren.
dcrcd because further resistance its part woald only
entail a useless sacrincc life But that army was
ncrey part of the force of the South when the South
shall be forced to surrender all its forces and returns 10
the Union II indsputabiy by that act, strrenders It's
fsvoritc doctrine Of secession That principle viii then
be settled BY military power.
STATE RIGHTS
On ths question Of State sovereignty the General
tends that there exists legitimate be In the
convention that formed the organic law of the land the
question Of defining the relative powers of the States
and thor relation to the general government, was
passed bat after much discussion YES dropped and lef