The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-05-03

right.
O. What events or experience Of the
war have contributed to this change I
A. First, the people are satisfied that
resort to the exercise of this right while
it is denied by .hc Federal government
will lead to war, which many thought
before the late attempted secession
would not be the case, aud civil wars,
they are also now very well satisfied,
are dangerous to liberty; and, moreover,
their experience in the late war, think,
satisfied them it greatly endangered
their own. | allude especially to the
suspension of the writ of hdbcaS corpus
and the military conscriptions, the
proclamations OF martial law in various
places, general impressments, and the
levyiug Of forced contributions, as well
as the very demoralziug effects of war
generally.
@. When were you last member Of
the Congress Of the United States? A.
I went out on the 18th of March, 1859.
@. Will you state, if not indisposed
to do so, the considerations or opinions
which led you to identify yourself with
the rebellion so far as TO accept the
Office of Vice Presidency of the Con
federate States Of America, so-called !?
A. [ believed thoroughly in the reserv-
ed sovereignty of the several States Of
the Union under the compact of the
Union or the Constitution OF 1877 |
opposed secession, therefore, as ques-
tion of policy, and not one of right on
the part Of Georgia when the State Sc
ceded, against my Judgment and vote,
l thought my ultimate allegiance was
due to her, aud | preferred co cast my
fortunes and destinies with hers and her
people, rather than to take any other
course, even though it might lead to
my sacrifice and her ruin in accepting
position under the new order OF things,
my sole object was to do all the good |
could in preserving and perpetuating
the principles Of liberty as established
under the Constitution Of the United
States. IF the Union was to be abau.
doued, either with or without force
which | thought very lmpoiitic meas
ure, | wished il possible to rescue. pre-
serve and pcrpetuate the principles o
the CONSTITUTIONS This | was not with
out hope might be done in the new con
federation OF States termed. When The
conflict Arose my efforts were directed
to as speedy and peaceful an adjust
ment of the questions as possible, Thi
adjustment [ always though to be last
ing would have ultimately to be set
tied upon continental basis, founded
upon the principles of mutual conven
fence and reciprocal advantage on tn
part of the States on which the Consti
tuition of the United States was origl
nally formed | was welded to no par
ticuiar plan of adjustment except tn
recognition as a basis of the separat
sovereignty of the several States wit
= this recognized as principle though
e all other questions of difference woul
t soon adjust themselves according TO tn
g best interests of the peace, welfare an
: prosperity of the whole country, as Ell
d lightened reason, calm judgment and
c sense of Justice might direct; this do
r trine of the sovereignty Of the sever
L States [ regarded as self-adjustin
l. regulating principle of our America
e system Of State government extendir
J. possibly over the continent.
10 Q. Have your opinions undergoI
g any change since the opening of the ,
If bellion IN reference to the reserv,
s, rights of States under the CONSTITUTE,
t. of the United States ? A. My co
yictions on the original abstract questi
le have undergone no change, but [ ac ,e
n the issues of the war and the result
n a practical settlement of that questiC
n The sword was appealed to to decide Il
K question, and by the decision of t
N sword | am willing to abide.
e, Q. If the proposition were to be ST.
ID mitted to Georgia one OF the elev
'lr States lately in rebellion, that she mig
IN be restored to political power in t
lal government of the country upon t
Se condition precedented that she wor
mt on the one hand extend suffrage to I
lal negro, or on the other consent to tn
he exclusion from the basis Of represen
ge ton, would she accept either proposit
to and take her place in the governm,
lct of The country? A, 1 can only G
MS my opinion l do not think she wo,
to accept either as a condition preced
I'D presented by Congress, for they do
Ter belive that Congress has the right
nd power under the Constitution to P
he scribe such a condition if Georgia
'nt State in the Union, her people feel t
she is entitled to representation with
va conditions imposed by Congress an,
Iu. she is not a State in the Union, Il
OF she could not be admitted as an eq
he with the others; if her admission "
-he trammeled with conditions that do
a. apply to all the rest alike, general I
'es- versal suffrage amongst the eolorod |
'er- pie as they are now there, would by
the people be regarded as about as grea
bon nolitical evil as could befall them.