Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-03-29

engaged in own affairs, and ~endeaVorlng
to restore the Government of the State.
Q.-How do the secesssionists in regard
to the payment of the debt of the United
States, contracted in the prosecution of the
war?s
Al suppose they must expect to pay
the taxes levied by the Government. L
have never heard any N speak in oppo-
sition to the payment of taxes, or of re-
sistance to their payment. Their whole
effort has been to try and raise money for
the payment of taxes.
Q-Do you see any change among the
poorer classes in Virginia in reference to
industry ? Are they as much or more in
terested In developing their material in
terest than they were?
Al have not observed any change.
Every one now has to attend to his bust
ness for his support.
Q-The poorer classes are generally
hard at work, are they2
A-So far as L know, they are. 1 know
nothing to the contrary.
Q-Is there any difference in their re-
lations to the colored people? Is their
prejudice increased or diminished ?
Al have noticed no change. So far
as l do know the feelings of all the people
Virginia they are kind to the colored peo-
pie. l nave never heard any blame at
tributed to them as to the present condi-
ton of things or any responsibility.
Q-There are very few colored laborers
employed, L supposed
A.-Those who own farms have en-
ployed, more or less, one or two colored
laborers ONE are so poor that they have
to work themselves.
Q-Can capitalists and working men
from the North go into any portion of
Virginia with which you are familiar,
and go to work among the people2
Al do not know Of any thing to pre-
vent them. Their peace and pleasure
would depend very much on their conduct.
If they confine themselves to their own
business, and do not interfere toprovoke
controversies with their neighbors, l do
not believe they would be molested.
Q.-There is no desire to keep out labor
and capital?
A.-Not that 1 know OF. On the con-
trary they are very anxious to get capitol
into the State.
Q-You see nothing of a disposition to
prevent such a thing
Al have seen nothing and do not
hAC u az lhAhS1 80 L sdlu DclOIG- 1u6
name in which they would be received
would depend entirely upon the individu-
ais themselves. They might make them
selves obnoxious, as you can understand.
Q-By Mr.. Howard-Is there not q
general dislike of Northern men among
the secessionists
Al suppose they would prefer not to
associate with them. l do not know that
they would select them as associates.
Q.-Do they avoid and ostracize them
socially.
A.-They might avoid them. They
Vol Id not select them as associates unles
there was some good reason. L do not
know that they would associate with
them until they became acquainted. 1
think it probable they would not admit
them into their social circles.
q. By Mr.. Blow-What is The position
of the colOred men in Virginia with refer
renee to persons they work for? Do you
think they would prefer to work for North
ern or Southern men 2
Al think it very probable they would
prefer the Northern men, although l
have no facts to Judge from.
Q.-That having been stated very fire.
quently in reference to the cotton states,
does it result from a bad treatment on the
part Of the resident population or from
the idea that they will be more fairly dealt
with by the new corners? What is your
observation in that respect, in regard to
Virginia?
ga have no means of forming an
opinion. ] do not know of any case in
Virginia. know of number of the blacks
engaging with their old masters, and l
know Of many who prefer TO go off
and look for new homes. Whether it is
from any dislike of their former masters,
or from any choice to change, or that
they feel more free and Independent, 1 do
not know.
Q-Whst is your opinion in regard to
the material interest of Virginia. Do
they think they will be equal to what they
were before the rebellion, under the
changed aspects of affairs2
Alt will take a long time for them
to reach their former standard. 1 think
that after some years they will reach ii,
and l hope exceed ii, but it cannot be i'm
mediately, in my opinion.
Cit will take a number of years 2
At will take a number of years 1
think.
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 hopes expressed,
and there is great cheerfulness and will
lingness to labor.
Q-Suppose this policy of President
johnson should be all you anticipated,
and you should also realize all that
you expect, in the improvement of the
material interests, do you think that the
result of that will be the gradual restora-
ton of the old feeling?
A-That will be the natural result l
think, and in no other way in which that
result can be brought about.
@. There is a fear in the public mind
that the friends of policy in the South
adopt it because they see in it the means
of reforming the political position which
lost in the recent contest. Do you
think that that is the main idea with them
or that they merely look to it, as you say,
as the best means of restoring civil gov
eminent and the peace and prosperity of
their respective States.
A. As to the first point you make
I do not know that 1 ever heard any per-
son speak upon it. I neEsFS heard the
points separated. L have heard them
speak generally as to the effect of the pol
of President johnson. The feeling is,
so far as l know now, that there is not /
that equality extended to the Southern
States which is enjoyed by the North.
Q. You do not feel down, then,
that while you accept the result, we are as
generous as we ought to be under the cir
cumstances2
A. They think that the North can
afford to be generous.
Q. That is the feeling down there.
A. Yes, and they think it is the best
those who reflect upon the subject
and are best able to judge.
Q. 1 understand it to be your opinion
that generosity and iberality toward the
entire Sonth would be the surest means
of regsining their good opinion.
A. Yes, and the speediest.