Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-04-05
Another soint Committee Report.
TESTIMONY OF GEN. LEE AND OTHERS.

TESTIMONY OF GEN. LEE AND OTHERS.
Another of the reconstruction com.
mittee's indefinite series of reports was
sent to the House on Tuesday. 1t con.
tains the testimony of General Lee and
others in regard TO Virginia. Gen. Lee
testified that nothing like sentiment of
hostility to the United States govern
ment exists in Virginia that there are
no combinations or cOnspiracies having
that end in view; that the people, al
though disappointed and saddened by
the result of the war, accept that result
submissively, and are only looking now
TO their material interests, and that the
surest and speediest means of reconcil-
ing the people to the government, and
making them its cordial supporters, is
to extend to them equal political rights
with the people of other States. AS to
the negroes, he expressed the belief that
he always entertained, that the State
would be much better without them and
he repudiates the idea that cruelties
were purposely inflicted on Federal pris-
oners of war. .....
The members OF the Virgins Legisla-
ture who visited President Johnson con-
CURED In Sen. Lees opinion as to the
complete absence of any feeling looking
to q renewal of the contest with the
Federal government. The question of
coercion they say was settled by the
sword, and the people are consent to
abide by the decision and to live hence
forth faithful citizens OF the Republic.
They represent the feeling of the people
at large, and of themselves, as Cnalter-
ably opposed to the idea of extending
political rights to negroes, while as to
civil rights the Legislature were engaged
in removing most, if not all, obnoxious
determinations in law between whites
and blacks. OF the course which Vir-
ginia would take in the case of wsr be-
tween the United States and any foreign
power which might afford the South q
promise Of the establishment of their in
dependence, their testimony was deeid-
eddy on the side OF loyalty.
On the other hand, the United States
officers, Gems. Terry and Turner, Colonel
Brown and others, concur in represent
ing the sentiment of the people of Vir-
glnla in relation to the government as
unimproved, Gad as rather having be-
come embittered since Lees surrender.
They say at that time the people were
humble, sick Of war, longing for peace
on any terms, and ready to accept CRATE
fullU tho M rdnn Of thu nd
to submit to any conditions that might
be made, while now they are Arrogant
eXacting and intolerant Most of the
witnesses of that class express the 6eei-
ded opinion that the withdrawal of the
Federal troops and the freedmans bureau
would be followed by an unrelenting
prescription OF white Unionlsts and the
prescription and remission to slavery Of
the cOlored people. The change of feel
ing is very generally ascribed by these
witnesses to the Presidents liberal pol
icy.
In regard to the Federal debt, the geo.
pie of Virginia are represented as in "a.
Vor of it's repudiation or at least of its,
combination with the Confederate debt.
The witnesses who have been connected
with the Confederaey, however, deny
this, and represent the people as willing
| to pay their share of the Federal debt by
taxation. On this subject, Gen. Lees
opinion is they are willing to pay both
debts, and are opposed to the repudia-
tion of either
The old story about the Virginia con-
vention before the war, and the visit of
member, Mr.. Baldwin, to the FRESH
dent, is appended.