Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-29
men. Of the United STATE. on the part Of the ma.ss.


a. do not know that there is any deep.seated dis
like think it is probable there may be some ami.
mostly still existing among some of the people at the
South.
o. Is there not deep-seated feeling of disappoint.
ment and chagrn at the result Of the war;
A. ! think that at the time they were disappointed
at the result of the war.
Q. Do you mean TO be understood as saying that
there is not condition of discomfort against the
Government of the United States among the seces-
sionists generallyl
A. ] know of none.
Q. Are you prepared to say that they respect the
Government of the United States and the loyal peo
pie of the Unired States much at the present time
to perform their duties as citizens OF the United
States, and of the States, faithfully and well
A. believe that they will perform all the duties
that they required to perform. think that is the
general feeling so far as know
q. Do you think II would be practicable TO con-
Wet man in Virginia OF treason for having taken
part in this rebellion against the Government by a
Virginia jury, without packing it with direct refer
ence to a verdict of guilty!
\. On that point have no knowledge, and do
not know what they would consider treason against
the United States, if you mean past acts
Mr.. Howard. Yes, sir.
Witness have no knowledge as to what their
views on that subject in the past are.
Q. You understand my question? Suppose jury
was empaneed in your own neghborhood taken
by lot: would il be practicable to convict for in
stance, jefferson Davis for having levied war upon
the United STATES, and thus having committed the
crime of treason
4. think it is very probable that they would not
consider he had committed treason.
.. Suppose the jury should be clearly and plainly
instructed by the court that such an act of war
upon the United States on the part of Mr. Davis or
any other leading man. constituted in itself the
crime of treason, under the Constitution OF the
United States; would the jury be likely to heed that
instruction, and if the facts were plainly in proof
before them, convict the offenders
4. do not know, sir what they would do on that
question,
.. They do not generally suppose that it was trea-
son against the United States, do theyl
4. do not think that they SO consider it,
q. In what light would they view it What would
be their excuse or justification How would they
escape in their own minds refer to- the past
A. | am referring TO the past, and the feelings
they would have. 80 far rs / know, they look upon
the action of the state, in Withdrawing itself from
the Government of the United States, rs carrying
the individuals of the State along with it, that the
State was responsible for the act not the individual
q. And that the ordinance OF secession, so called
or those acts of the State which recognized \ con-
ditiOn of war between the State ami the General
Government, stood their justil a ion for their
bearing arms against the Government of the United
States
\. Yes, sir; / think they would consider the act
of the State as legitimate; that they were merely
using the reserved right, which they had right to
do.
o. State, if you please (and if you are disnclined
TO answer the question you need not do sol what
your own personal views on that question are.
\. That was my view that the act OF Virginia in
withdrawing herself from the United States carried
me along, rs a citizen of Virginia, and that her laws
and her acts were binding on me.
Q. And that you felt to be your justification in
taking the course you did
A. Yes, sir.
.. have been told, General, that you have re-
marked to some of your friends in conversation that
You were rather wheedled cheated in that course
by politicians.
4. do not recollect ever making any such re-
mark | do not think ever made it.
q. If there be any other matters about which you
wish to speak on this occasion, do so freely.
4. Only in reference to that last question you
put to me. may have said, and | may have be.
iieved that the position of the two sections which
they held to each other was brought about by the
politicians Of the country that the great masses of
the people, if they understood the real question,
would have avoided it; but not that had been in
dvidually wheedled by the politicians
Q. That is probably the origin Of the whole thing
4. | may have said that, but do not even re-
collect that. But did believe at the time that it
was an unnecessary condition of affairs and might
have been avoided if fOrbearance and wisdom had
been practised on both sides.
q. You say that you do not recollect having
SWOTn dlltgldHCC anu W lic CONCENTRATE
Government!
A. do not recoect it, nor do know it was ever
required. | was,regularly commissioned in the
my ofthe Confederate States, but do not really re-
collect that that oath required. If it was re-
quiTed have no doubt took it, or II it had been
required would have taken it.
q. Is there any other matter which you desire to
state to the committee
A. No, sir. am ready to answer any question
which you think proper to put to me.
q. How would an amendment to the Constitution
he received by the secessOnsts, or by the people at
large allowing the coored people, certain classes
of them, to exercise the right of voting at cleo
tiOnsl
A. / think, so far as can form an opinion, in
such an event they would object.
Q. They would object to such an amendments
A. Yes, sir.
o. Suppose an amendment should, nevertheless be
adopted comforting on the blacks the right of suf-
frage: would that, in your opinion lead to scenes
of violence or breaches OF the peace between the two
races in Virginia!
A. | think it would excite uniriendy feelings be-
tween the two races. cannot pretend to say to
what extent it would co. but that would be the re-
suit.
Q. Are you acquainted with the proposed amend
ment now pending in the Senate of the United
States!
A. No, sir; | am not. scarcely ever read pa
per. [The substance Of the proposed amendment
was here explained to the witness by Mr.. COnkling
So far as can see, do not think the State of Virgil
mia wOuld object to it.
.. Would she consent, under any circumstances
to allow the black people to vote, If she were
gain larger number of representatives in Congress
A. That would depend upon her interest If she
had the right of determining that, do not see why
she would object II it were to her interest to admit
these people to vote that might override any other
objection that she had TO it,
q. What, in your opinion, would be the practical
result Do you think that Virginia would consent
to allow the negro to vote!
A. think that at present, she would accept the
smaller representation. do not know what the fu.
ture may develop. If it should be plain to her that
these persons will vote properly and understanding
w. she might admit them To vote.
By Mr.. Blow.
q. Do you not think it would turn good deal, in
the cotton States, upon the value of the Dior of
the black people: upon the amount which they pro-
duce!
A. In a good many States in the South, and in
good many counties in Virginia, if the black people
now were allowed to vote, it would, think, exclude
proper representation; that is proper, Intelligent
people would not be elected, and rather than suffer
that injury they would not let them vote at ALL
.. Do you think that the question as to whether
any Southern State would allow the colored people
the right of suffrage, in order TO increase representa-
ton, would depend good deal on the amount
which the cOlOred people might contribute to the
wealth of the State, in order to two things
First the larger representation; ana, second, the IN
luence derived from these persons voting?
A. think they would determine the question more
in reference 10 their opinion as to the manneI jp
which those votes would be exercised; whether
they consider those people qualified 10 vote, My
opinion is, that at this time they cannot vote in
diligently, and that giving them the right of suf
fragc would open the door to good deal Of dema
gogism and lead to embarrassments in various ways
What the future may prove, how intelligent they
may become, with what eyes they may look upon
the interests of the State in which they may reside
| cannot say more than you can.
O. Is there any sympathy felt in the South for
those schemes OF emigration to Mexico
4. believe that the masses Of the people have !
not any sympathy with them There are individuals
who think their interests would be benefited, and in.
deed that their prospects at home are so poor now
that it is like losing their lives to remain That feel
ing was stronger at the first cessation of hosties
than it is now; at this time it seems to be subsdng.
BY Mr.. Howard:
q. will put one question 10 you, 10 which you |
may respond or not, % you please. ! wish TO en- |
quire whether you had any knowledge, while you |
were in command at Richmond of the crueltes prac
ticed towards the Union prisoners at Libby Prison
and Belle Isle |
A. ] never knew that any cruelty was practieed |
and have reason to believe that il was practced
can believe, and | had reason to believe that pr-
vatons may have been experienced aroug the
prisoners, because know that provisions and Shelter
could not be provided them. 90 '''
q. Were you not aware that those prisoners were
dying from cold and starvation
A. | was not.
Mr.. Howard desire that yon should speak your