Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-08-13
TESTIMONY BEFORE THE COMMIT
TEE ON RECONSTRUCTION-BRO- :
TEN DOSES.
'TOICES FROm ALEXANDRIA.
CHAPTER 7.
G2s;::nony Of GEORGE TUCKER, take"

CHAPTER 7.
9ssii::Y,ouy Of GEORGE TUCKER, taken
,jo1 81. 1866
Question. Are you native of Virginia?
Answer | am not; | am native OF New
Hampshire.
9. How long have you resided in Virginia?
i. have been in Virginia most OF the time
foc the last four years.
.. How extensive is your knowledge Of the
state OF public feeling in Virginia
Z. Ny personal knowledge Of the state OF
public feeling in Virginia only extends to the
counties of Alexandria and Fairfax, but l have
haG pretty extensive correspondence through
OFT almost all parts Of the State
y. You have had good opportunities to know
the condition of 1ublic feeling throughout the
State:
IL. : think [ have.
D. How is it in regard to the government Of
ne United States?
i. The opinion of large majority of the
people Of Virginia is, that they have no respect
10. tho government Of the United States. [
have hearl leading men among them say that
they had no respect for the government of the
United States; that they were subjects, con-
cuered, but that they had no respect for the gov
erpment, and that the time would come when the
aas> and the west would disagree, and when the
south would have sufficient power to achieve
lis purposes. That is q very prevalent idea
a,rong them. 1t is also prevalent idea among
rem thai in their rebellion they made mis-
tG.:e il regard to seeding; that If they had
gsrolutionized as they now say, they would
bare succeeded, and that if there be any fur
.le1 difficulty it will be revolution and not
secession. Secession was mistake.
". Tou are a lawyer, and can give US the
difference between secession and revolution as
understood by the Virginans. -,
l.. is understood BY them it is this: thatit
they had reyolutionized, it would have been
general thing throughout the Union; would
have extended its ramifcations all over the
country, have had friends all over the country,
and would have fought under the colors Of the
nation, so that it would have been national
movement, and struggle between them, aided
by those thinking like them, and the national
poEeY all over the United States.
o. So that if it had succeeded it would have
amounted to usurpatlon!
=. TC a usurpatlon; and my Judgment,
founded on what have seen and heard, Is, that
i ;s 6 iayorite object with them to destroy the
UEiteG States government whenever an oppor-
unity shall present itself.
.. DO they foresee any particular method Of
getting at it Just now?
J.. ! think that in that respect they are
somewhat in the condition of the man who was
7Gting for something to turn up; but in my
Judgment, in the case Of any foreign war, if
they could see any reasonable hope of success,
by Joining their forces and power with foreign
government, they would do it; and if they did
I.ot 80 it collectively, they would do it very ex.
tcnsively, as individuals That is to say, | be-
lieva hat, as at present organized, and even as
c; present governed by provisional governments,
they would be a source Of weakness to the ma
iionG; power
@. Have you heard that particular subject
3Doken Of by rebels Of position and influence {?
l.. The subject was broached in converse
lioa : had with one of them, but OF course
there !,as no plain statement made OF what
they ~ould do The subject came up in the
course CT conversation in regard to the present
state of affairsin Mexico. The gentlemon with
phoro ! was talking is one OF the most respec-
table o. the returned rebels whom l have met.
lie TIES one Of that class who were Cnlon men
cl the commencement. Although he oeheVed
it ,ha :ight of secession, he did not believe
they lad occasion for it; or, rather, he was one
Of ;haj numerous class in Virginia, and | pre-
2u.us IL the rest Of the south, who did not be-
buS hat they ought to wait for an overt act, as
,hag called it, on the part of the general gov
erament. | would not have a legal right to IN
lei E,hat did infer from the remarks he made,
BET inferred, that if war should spring up
Go;I between US and France, 1t was his judgment
meg would be a source Of weakness to US. |
GO 2oG think that he personally would be on
thcl Size; but others, Of equal intelligence and
more bitterness, say that they have not the
slightest respect for the national government
that re have not any national g0vernment.-
Vthers say, and have heard them, that they
eTc ":2ong the number of those who look upon
emancipation as an outrage, aud who believe
tha; slavery will be reinstatcd. Or course 1t
c4nnot De Yeinstated without force and oppOsl-
Ioa &c She Constitution and laws OF the United
Atetec. N the course of my practice IN FAR
Ia. county, where am the attorney Tor the
commonwealth under the reorganlzcd govern
Ae1t, which, year ago. we were taught TO
co2alCer loyal and good, found a great dill
Guilty II getting anybody punished who was a
:ecess:ollst, Or a sympathzer with secession
lists, nc who had committed any depreciation
uD0n { Union man. = x + 4 <
When | tell you that Fairfax county is the best
county in the State of Virginia, so far as
lnlonism is concerned so far as the influence
oI northern men is concerned; so far as loyalty
% the government is concerned, you can draw
g9ur Inference in regard to the rest of the State
lhe tact Is that Fairfax county has been the
county where great many northern men have
s;s'ted. At the time Of the breaking out OF
inc war, there were nearly two titths OF the
population northern people.
u What is the feeling towards the freedmen
0A the part Of these ex-rebels?
a. a 1t IS very malignant. The freedman be-
any OF their juries stands no chance of OBJ
olllng aadl his rights, although he will stand as
Iooa @ chance as Yankee will, or as native
ra notn citizen OF Virginia who has been loyal
'1""' Ihe latter even stand worse chance. -