The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-03-31
GEN. TERRY,s TESTIMONY.

stano the sltuatlon IN virginia, and what he
states under oath is entitled to implicit cre-
dence.
Q. What generally is the feeling on the
part of the secession element towards the I'm
ionists, whether native Virginians, or those
| from other States?
A. / think it as hostile as it ever has been
AS to the feeling toward the people Of the
North, l do not think it has essentially
changed from what it was before the war and
during the war. There Is the same hatred
| of, and the same contempt for, them.
O. How much social intercourse is there
between them
A. Very little, so far as my knowledge
goes; very little indeed.
! Q. Are you prepared to say that the state
of feeling between secessonists and Union
lists is one of bitter hostility
A. | taink it is.
/ Z. Are the Gnionists secure in the enjoy
ment of their rights in the midst of seces-
sion community there?
A. do not think they are.
Q. Can they safely rely on the state courts
for justice to themselves or protection 10
their rights
A. No. sir: think not
Q. How would it be, for instance, in a suit
between a strong Union man, whether resid /
ing there or from loyal state, and secesion4
ist? Would you apprehend that a jury, calf
led.in the regular way, would be prejpdicad
against the Union man?
A. While | do not know Of any such
cases, such is my impression in regard to the
feelings of secessionists toward Union m4n,
that think the rights of the latter under these
circumstances, would not be secure. know.
from conversation with Union men. that such
is The general feeling among them.
Q. What do the secessionists appear ito
desire? what great object do they have in
view?
4. In the first place. having failed TO
maintain the separate nationality which they
asserted, they desire to keep themselves q
separate people, and so prevent, by every
means in their. power. Of becoming homooel
treason honorable and loyalty infamous, and
to secure as far as they may be able, political
power.
9. The great object which they immediate
ly have in view is the possession of political
power?s
A. Yes. sir
Q. How do they regard President John
sons liberal policy in reconstruc,ing Tie
States, and granting pardons and amnesties
A. They seem to be very much pleased
with it. They would, Of course. regard with
|
to their former station.
s Il. Do you hear any expressions Of disloy
atty among them toward President johnson.
A. do not.
Q. Suppose they again get into power
with their full representation i'll Congress
and with President who, like Mr. Buchankn
should disavow the right of the Governmenl
of the United States to coerce State, and
should decline the naval force OF the Govern
ment to prevent secession, would they. OF
? would they not, in yeur opinion. again seceh.
} from the Union and attempt to set up an In
dependet Government?
A. II these and other circumstance,
should occur, and they shonld be convinHet
then. would have certainty of success.
think they would attempt to secede again.
Q. State whether they are in the habit o
speaking contemptuously Of the Governme en-
8 OF the United States as a political insttatibn
A. Theyare.
q q. So far as you can judge, what class i
the most numerous, those who treat the freed
man kindly, or those who treat him with in
justice and severity?
e A. The latter.
@. Do you think they greatly predomirat
il numbers2
A. can hardly estimate the relative pro
a portions should think they predominant.
8 G.. Do you suppose from what you hav
seen and heard, and from what you know
that it would be safe to commit the grea
body Of freedmen IN Virginia, or elsewh her
+ in the South to the care OF the local suthori
i ties or local legislation?
A. | do not
q. What is the political character Of th
: present Legislature Of Virginia?
It A. | judge by its actions and by the Ian
e guage used by many Of its members in debate
!. it is not loyal Legislature
@. In case of the. withdrawal Of mlitar
! protection from Virginia, what would be til
e condition Of the loyal people in Virginia an
r of the blacks?
A. think they would be in lamentabl
condition. So great is the prejudice enter
tanned, especially against those who wer
faithful in. their obligations TO the Govern
s ment during the war, that do not think the
d would receive any adequate protection, fo
g their rights of person and property, from tn
i people, or from the courts, ana l think this
they would be persecuted through the ms
4 chinery Of the courts, as well as privately
d Even now, when military law prevails in th
y State, and when military authority is suprem,
. attempts are made in the courts to punis
Unionists for acls done by them under mill
u tary authority during the war, and | hav
i been obliged to interfere and release frol
Iprison man thus prosecuted.
:. Q. Has that been Of frequent occurrence
A. / have directed the cessation Of pre
z ceedings in some five or Hix cases ofihis kint
In some of them the parties have been az
! mitted to bail. In some they we're iyNnrisor
: ed have released those in prison., and
! all casee | have taken possession pf the i,
! idictments and warrants and when bono
y had been given of the bonds.
>, Q. Would the Unionists be safe, 50
: : speak, in case Of the removal of the protec
I ing troops I
: A. l think NOT, and in that opinion | Al
: supported BY, q think. the unanimous fee
:. ing of the Unonists themselves, which h,
n been frequently and still continues to be e.
ae pressed 70 me.
I'd Q. Has the liberal policy Of the Presjdfn
III - n granting pardpns and amnesties TO the tel
III e's, nad the effect, in your opinion, to il
ed eresse or to decrease the feeling bf respe
be owalus s. the Government Of the United Stat,
of on ne part OF the people of Vifgihia 81
in a. am unable to trace results to the
causes IN that matter, bu1since the time m
took command, especially since miI;tarv !
l. straint has been SO much relaxed = ;tk
- been during the past two or three month"; IA;
= loyal utterances and dieloyal publicatio
/. I. have very much increased They seem
~ :. have Increased in proportion to tie rslAxaki,
- Of military restraint.
N TIM report that Gen. Grant NJ abost
y ise = zsrops i contsadisssd,