Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-04-03
more free and iudepeudept I do not KNOW.

, the rebellion under the changed aspect of
affairs?
A. 1t will take long time for them to
reach their former standard. l think that
after the lapse of some years they will reach
it. hope they will exceed it; but it can't
be Immediately, in my opinion. 1t will take
number of years.
Q. On the whole, the condition of things
In Virginia is hopeful, both in regard to its
material interests and the future peace of
the country?
A. have heard great hope expressed,
and great cheerfulness and willingness to
| labor.
Q: Suppose. that this policy of President
johnson should be all you anticipate, aud
that you should also realize all thai you ex-
pect in the improvement of your material
interests, do, you think that tn, result of
that will be the gradual restoration Of the
old feeling.
A: That would be the natural result [
think; and l can see no other way in which
that result eau be brought about
y. There Is a fear in the public mind that
the friends Of the policy in the South adopt
it because they see in it the means of regain
Ing political position which they lost in the
recent contest. Do. you think that that is
the main idea with them, or that they merely
look to It, us you say, US the best means of re-
storing the civil government aud the peace
and prosperity of their respective States
a. As to the first point you make, do not
think that L ever heard any person sneak
| upon 1t. never heard the points separated.
| have heard them speak generally as to the
effect Of the policy of President Johnson
The feeling, so far as l know now, is that
there is not that equality extended to the
! Southern States US is enjoyed by the North.
q. HOu do NOT fool dOU,, RI 81
| you accept the result, we are as generous as
we ought TO be under the circumstances
y. They think that the North eau afford
| to be generous.
! =. That is the feeling down there?
| A. Yes, aud they think it is the best poll
| cy.-tho<e who reflect on the subject and are
able to Judge
=. understood it to be your opinion that
| generosity and libcrulity towards the entire
| South would be the surest means of regaininp
their good opinion?
\. Yes, and the speediest
y: understood you to say generally that
you had no apprehension Of any combination
among the leading Secessionists to renew the
war or anything of the kind?
a. bave no reason in the world to thinL
y. Have you heard that subject talked
! over among the politicians?
| a. No, sir, l have not. l have not heard
that matter suggested.
| q. Let me put another hypothetical case
! Suppose the Executive of the United States
| should be filed by IL President who. like
buchanan, rejected the right of coercion. 81
called, and suppose a Congress should exist
here entertaining the same political opinions.
| thus presenting to the once rebel States the
|. opportunity to again seccde from the Union.
/ wOuII fhpv mr. M in
! selves OF that opportunity. or some Of them
A. suppose it would depend upon the cir
, cumstanccs existing at the time If their
! feelings should remain cmbitt%red and their
! affections alienated from the rest of the States
think it very proable they might do so, pro-
| vldcd they thought it was to their interest
[ do not know that there is dcep-seated
feeling OF dislike towards the government
think 1t probable some luminosity may exist
among some of the people. 1 think ut the
same time that there were some disappointed
as to the result of the war. l know of no
condition Of discomfort against the govern
ment amongst the sccessionists. | believe
that the people will perform towards the gov
ernmcnt all Of the duties they are required TO
perform. l think that is the general feeling.
q Do you think it would be practicable to
convict man in Virginia OF treason for hay
AlIS CnASu pau III lulS ISUelIlOn against the
government bya Virginia Jury, without pack
ing it with direct reference to a verdict of
| guilty?
A. On that point have no knowledge, and
1 do not know what they would consider
treason against the government, it. you mean
past acts.
Mr.. Ioward-Ycs, sir.
Gen. Lec-t have no knowledge as to what
their views on that subject in the past are.
e. You understand my question. Suppose
jury was empannelcd in your own neighbor
hood, taken by lot, would it be practicable to
cOnvicu, for instance Jefferson Davis for hav
ing levied war on the United States, and hus
having committed the crime of treasou2
\. think it would be very probable that
they would not consider he had committed
treason. l do not know whether jury would
! heed the instructions of the court to convict
the offender.
e. They do not generally suppose that it
Was treason against the government, do they?
~. do not think that they do SO consider
it. So far as l know, they louk upon the uc
ton of u State in Withdrawing from the GOV.
ernment us carrying the individuals to it along
! with it; that the State was responsible for
the act, and not the individual. | am now
referring to the past
z. State, if you please, (and if YOU are
| UL9'"I'l"eu JOu u'eu not answer the question
what your own personal views on. that ques.
ton were ?
a. That was my view: that the act of vir>
| glnla IN Withdrawing herself from the Union
carried me along citizen Of VirSinru, and
that her laws and her acts were binding GU me-
| Q. And that you feel it to be your iustif-
cation in taking the course you did?
y. Yes, sir.
.. l have been told, General, that YOU have
remarked to some friends, in conversation
at you were rather wheedIed or cheated in
that course by politicians?