Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1866-04-25

=
Major General Terry now is7sommsnd Al n'sh-
nOpd Va. Is universally aeknewledged @ be enc Of
the greatest generals Of The late war. We ssk tie
careful perusal of the .sstimony Of The q Hero q
Fort Fisher, before ths Reconstruction ConEaittea
a portion Of which we give herewith
Q. What, generally, is the feeling on the part Of
the secession element toward the Unionisss whether
native Virginians or persons from other States
A. think il is as hostile it ever has been as to
the feeling toward the people Of tbs North 4 90
not think that it has essentially changed rom Wnst
il was before the war and during the war there Is
sill the same hatred Of AMI the same ecntemPt Tor
them. ss-5 g. - 80
Q. How much social intercourse j. there between
them? Very little 50 far rs my knowiedge goes
very little indeed ~ SEE.
o. Are you prepared TO say TIA. the state of feel
ing between secsssionists and Unionists is one Of
bitter hostility a / think it Is. 7 -
O. Are UnioRists secure in the enjoyment OF Their
rights in the midst Of secession community there
A. I do not think they are. ss
O. Can they safely rely on the State courts IoE
Justice to themselves and protection to their rights
A, No, sir, think not
@ How woald it be, for instance, il a suit be-
tween strong Union, man whether residing there,
or from loyal State, and secessionist, would you
apprehend that Jury, called in the regular way
In virginia, WGulu DC EaAiAoA CNto-'
MANI A while do not know of any such cases,
such is my Impression in regard to the feelings Of
secessionisis toSard Union men, that think that
the rights Of the latter under these circumstances
would not be secured; know from conversation
with Union men that such i the general impression
among them. fa @ sis
o. What do the secessionists appear 10 desire p
What great object do they have in view A. In
the first place having failed 10 maintain the sepa-
rate nationality which they asserted, they desire
to keep a separate people, and to prevent, by any
means in their power, our becoming a homogeneous
nation secondly they desire to make treason hon
orabe and loyalty infamous, and 10 receive as far
as they may be able political power
O. And, of course, the great object which they
Immediately have in view is the possession Of po-
litical power A. Yes, sir.
@. How do they regard President Johnson's lib
eral policy in reconstructing the States snd grant
ing pardons AID amnesties? A. They seem to be
very much pleased with it they would. of course,
regard with great favor any action tending TO re-
store them to their former status.
@. Do you hear any expressions Of disloyalty
among them toward President Johnson A. Il do
not
@. Suppose they get into power again with their
full representation in Congress, and with Presi-
dent who, like Mr.. Buchanan, should disavow the
right Of the Government of the United States to
coerce State, and should decline TO the militia
would they or would they not in your opinion,
again secede from the Union, and attempt TO set
up an independent government? A. II these OF
any other circumstances should and it should
be announced, that notwithstanding the former
failure they then would have certainty ofsucccss,
think they would attempt to secede again.
O. State whether they are in the habit of speak
ing contemptuously of the Government of the
United States as political institution A. They
are. ea
Q. Do you know or have you any reason to be-
lieve that there are now existing ia your Depart
ment, or elsewhere in the rebel States any combi-
nations or conspiracies among the secessioniss with
view TO the ultimate establishment of Southern
independence, or renewal of the rebellion direct
ly or indirectly A. know of none.
G. Have you any reason to believe in the exist
ence Of any2 A. I have none.
Y In the event Of war between the United
States and any foreign Government such as Eng
land or France, and in the event Of there being a
prospect OF the establishment Of Southern ndepen-
dence by an alliance between the secession element
in the South and the foreign enemy, have you any
reason to suppose that that element would ally IL
self with the foreign enemy, or take any part in
the war against the United States A.. think
that such has been the punishment which they
have received for their recent attempt to throw of
the authority Of the Government, unless there was
very strong prospect of SUCCESS, they would be re-
luctant to engage in another attempt of the kind,
with or without alliance; but should powerful
foreign enemy land upon the Southern coast they
would receive some material aid and much sympa-
thy under all circumstances; should the circunl-
stances be such as to promise them their independ-
ence, a very large portion of the people of the
South would join the enemy ~.
@ And in view of the contingency of foreign
war with powerful nation and the occurrence of
such invasion of our territory, do you regard The
rebel States one or altogether, as an element Of
strength in the Government OF the United States
at the present time A. No, fir on the contrary,
most decidedly, an element of weakness.
Q. This conclusion, take it. you have drawn
from careful observation of the sentiments and
feelings of the Southern people, so far as you have
had an opportunity "A. Yes. sir. tbls1htEtf
Q. What is their treatment generally toward the
Freedmen A. II is very variois; many persons are
treating the Freedmen kindly, and justly, endeav-
oriDg to accommodate themselves TO the changed
circumstances Of the times and to enter in the prop
er relations with them, as between the employees
and the employed, many others, on the contrary
treat them with great harshness and injustice, and
seek to obtain their services without Just conpen-
sation, and to reduce them TO condition which
will give to the former masters all the benefits OF
slavery, and throw upon them none of its respon-
lbilities 4E fTNWAt 44aX 4
Q. So far as you judge, which class is the most
mum erous, those who treat the freedmen kindly OF
those who treat them with injustice and severity
A. The latter.
Q. Do you think they greatly predominant in
numbers A. l can hardly sstimats the relative
proportions; should think thcy predominant
q Do you suppose, from what you have seen and
heard, and from what you know, that il would be
safe to trust the great body of freedmen in Virgin
Ia or elsewhere in the South, TO the care Of the
local authorities or fhe local 4 o0;sles,,roe2 I