The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1866-03-16
The Feeling al the South.


The testimony given before the Re
construction Committee conclusively
shows that an intense feeling of hos
tility towards the Union still exists
among the people of the South. Ma
nv of them are MS robellious at heart
as ever and would, we doubt not, re-
new the rebellion were there any
hope OF success. Tennessee is, per-
haps, the most loyal of any Of the
States that dissolved its connection
with the Union, yet we are told in the
Western portion Of that State disloy-
atty prevails to n great extent. Gen.
Thomas, who commands in Tennessee,
while he favors the admission of the
Congressional delegation, does not hes
itate to say that the troops ought not
vet to be Withdrawn nor the habeas
corpus restored The laws are not
faithfully executed and the secession
lists are loud in their denunciation OF
Union men. The people OF Arkansas
are also represented to be loyal; but
an entirely different state of affairs e1-
lists in the other STAGES. We quote
from the testimony of Gen. Grerson
concerning the feeling in the Gulf
States, which he seems to have thor
oughly canvassed;
Question. Is the feeling of hostility
to the Government one which con-
trolls q great majority of the people in
the regions of which you have spokeni
Answer 1t is the feeling of the ma
iority. At the time of the appoint
ment of the civil officers, a great many
of those who had served in the army
during the rebellion were repentant
There was hardly loyal man appoint
ed to civil Office under the State gov
ernments.
Q. So far as you know, how do Al
ALBANIA and Mississippi compare Will
Georgia and Tennessee
A. | think there is not much diff
ference. If any, I think it is in favo
of Tennessee | think that Tennessee
is rather a more loyal State. l hope,
that after the rebellion they woul'
have accepted the situation sincerely
but L am satisfied they do not. | be
lieve there is now an organization eX
listing throughout the South for th
renewal of the rebellion. There ar
many circumstances or things whic
have occurred since the Surrender t
make me believe it,
Q. Is there any sentiment with rC
| gard to a foreign war
A. There seems manifested grea
desire to have the country involved i
war with France, in relation to Me,
leo. / think in such an event the
would seize the opportunity to tur
against the Government. This is til
( sentiment of leading men of the Soutl
q From all could learn the spirit of 7,
=, sistance still exists. This is as stron
= as ever, and in the event of this coul
| try being engaged in foreign wa
= the enemies of the Governmel
G throughout the South mediate al
would not fail to seize the opportuni
to attempt again its destruction,
% In view of this testimony and til
!, of other competent Judges, does
:. not well become Congress to be G
= ceedingly cautious in regard to Il
;, representation of these States in the
body? Men who have sought, al
are still seeking, the destruction of t.
. Union, are not the best class of men
= aid in making laws. There is not
loyal man at the North but that desir
- all the southern States to be represel
ed in Congress, but they do not wa
! them represented by disloyal men.