The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-04-17

Oi aIueDt ueSirc 10 10 Union
TO act in good faith they admit their frankly and
freely one two OF them have been pardoned by the
President, and think they are as loyal as any one.
ALABAMA.
TESTIMONY OF GENERAL swAYNE.
Brevet Major General WAGER Swayne, Commissioner Of
the Freedmens Bureau for Alabama since August last
testhes that since he went there, there has been
gradual cessation Of disorder, progress in legislation
OF political animosity; after the surrender of Lee
kindly feeling was generally expressed towards the
United States since which great increase OF bitterness
has taken place, displaying itself In sort of social
trncism Of Union men, Northern emigrants and army
oicns there is general desire the part Of the poo
pie to see the Bureau removed the Governor would
like to removed but while IL remains extends
II cordial cooperation.
GEORGIA.
TESTIMONY OF ALEXANDER H. STEVENS.
Wy decided opinion is that oucTruaing majority Of
the people Of Georgia are exceedingly anxious for the
restoration OF the government and FOR tho State take
her former position n tho Union under the constitution
OF the United States rs 1t stands amended.
Q. Has there been any change of opinion to the
right OF secession as right in the people or in the
hsk there n has osn
it, think the people generally satisfied sufficiently
with the experiment TO resort to that Of
redress again by force; whatever may be their nb
stract ideas upon that subject they have given up all
idea Of maintenance of these opinions by resort to
force
@ What at present are the relations subsisting be-
tween the white people and black people, especially in
the relation OF employers and empoyedS A. Quite as
been in between like classes Of employers and employed;
the condition Of things in this respect my last
home for my present visit 70 this city during the fail
and up to the close Of the year there was general OPT
MON prevailing among the coored people that at Christ
mas there would be division Of the lands and very
general indisposon their to make any contracts
at all for the present year. indeed there were few
contracts think made throughout the State until after
Christmas or about tho first Of January; they
generally at work. there idle; but this class
constitute but a small proportion.
ha xUt,o 10 fhatp prO1o
under the circumstances In which they have been placed
or otherwise? A. As whole, much better than the
most hopeful looked for: schools being established
in many parts Of the State under the auspices Of the
Frcedmens Bureau, think, and quite q number by the
color cSOea people Tn ~ the whtss
have them educated.
@ Were the amendments to tho constitution Of the
State OF Georgia recently adopted submitted to the peo
pey A. No, sir; they were not submitted; have no
on,hS ~ IA tne Ina: nine
constitution had been submitted.
@ What is tho public sentiment Of Georgia with regard
TO the extension OF the right oil voting to the negroe9
The general opinion In the State is very much averse
ton have representation in Congress based upon
voters; substantially would Georgia ratify such pro-
posed amendment 4 II made condition precedent
70 the restoration Of the State 10 political power the
gcvernments A. do not think they woald The poo
pie Of Georgia in my jodgmenh ~ Gar - reflect
der the consttuson Of the United ssAes 70 rsrsssna
tion without any further condition precedent they
would not object 70 entertain discuss and sxchanee
otr States upon such propositions any proposition
to amend the constitution change IL in any of It's fea
constitution Provides they feel that they are con-
sutonaly entitled 10 be heard by their Senators and
members In the houses Of Congress upon this or any
that they would rafy that amendment, suggested q
condition prscsden. to her being admitted TO representa-
II is then, your opinion that at present the people
OF Georgia would neither he willing 10 extend suffrage
the negroes nor consent TO the exclusion OF the
from the basis OF representations A. The people of
Georgia. In my Judgment are perfectly willing 10 leave
sttuiion leaves IL; they look upon the question Of su
frage as ono belonging exclusively to the States
over which and under the constitution Of tho United
States Congress has jurisdiction power control
cep In proposing amendments to the States and not in
exacting them from them and do not think therefore,
posed, as believe, earnestly to deal fairly,
Justly AMI generously with the freedmen, would
be willing 70 consent to change in the cousiitu-
ton OF suffrage and especially would they be very much
sverse 70 Congress exercising any such jurisdiction
without their representatives in tho Senate aud House
being heard in the public councils upon this question
that vitality concerns their internal policy, well
the internal policy Of all the States
II the proposition were TO be submitted TO Georgia.
as Of the eleven States lately In rebellion that she
might be restored 70 political power in the government
OF the country upon the condition precedent that she
should the one hand. extend suffrage the negro
or the other consent 10 their exclusion from the
ton and take her place In the government Of the
tryy A. can only give my opinion; do not think she
by Congress for they do not believe that Congress has
the rghtul power under the constitution TO prescribe
such condition; Georgia IS State in
entitled 70 representation without conditions as
imposed BY Congress; and II she is State in the
the others, her admission trammelled with con.
disions that do not apply to all tho rest alike general
univsal :ussss :@o.s me eoorsd people As hsy are
points, vi = &C eosiS Ssss;s sssm = ''''' A'
q 1.-The proposition 70 eztssd ths night Of ssf.
N ;Ss Usaa srnies would that nodiscsison sscs the
action Of tho Statef think tho people OF ths State
ration restricted or limited suffrage would no, be 40 Oh
lectonabe as general or universal but matter that
belongs 70 the State 10 regulate the question Of suffrage
exclusively, they believe; individually should not
be opposed 70 proper system Of restricted limited
mont u IL q matter that belongs BY constitutional right
70 tho States TO regulate exclusively, each for itsef
su. the So0, people %,,,,n TIA, sas have
than they have done for resoration the only view in
their opinion that could possibly Justify tho war which
the idea of the indssoubcness OF the unon that those
who held the administration for the time were bound
snsnce Of the integrity Of the Union UNDER he oons
tuition; and snce that accomplished, since those
who had assumed the contrary principle the right OF
secession aud the reserved sovereignty Of the states
had abandoned their cause and the here
successful In maintaining the idea upon which war
was proclaimed and wagcd and the only view In which
they supposed It could be Justified at all, and when
that was accomplished ] say the people Of Georgia
supposed their State was immediately entitled
70 all her rights under the constitution;
that is my opinion Of the sentiment Of the
people OF Georgia, and I do not think they would be
willing TO do anything further a condition prccc dent
20 their being permitted enjoy the full Of
their constitutional rights; only give my opinion Of
the sentiment Of the people at the time they expected
that a. soon the Confederate abandoned,
the states would immediately be brought back into
their practical relations with the government pre-
siousy constituted that Is what they looked TO-
Is your opinion that neither Of the alternatives
suggested In the question ought be accepted by the
people Of Georgia. A. Ny own opinion ~ that these
terms ought not TO be ofe,d conditions precedent;
best Tor the peace harmony ana prosperity OF
the whole country tina, there should be an i'm
mediate restoration, and immediate bringing back
OF the states into their original relations and
let all these questions then be discussed In
council Then the q the South could BE-