Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-04-20
DEB0w's TESTIMONY

Op0Te. We congressional "COHtHStttce-
Condition and Prospects Of the South.
I'D. B. DsBow, Esq, having recently
returned from an extensive Southern tour,
was summoned as witness, few days
since, before the Congressional Joint Com
mittee Of Reconstruction. He testified up
on several leading points, we are informed
very much as follows:
The South Acquiesces.-There seems
to be general, nay, universal acquiescence
in the results of the war, though much dis
satisfaction prevails in reference to the
course pursued by Congress. The people,
having fully and honestly tried the exper-
iment of secession, are satisfied with the
result, and there is no disposition in any
quarter, in any shape or form, to embarras
the United States Government, or to refrain
from the performance of all the duties o!
citizenship. Those in favor of or oppo sed
to secession are agreed that it is our best
interest to accept what the Government has
done in reference to the negro, as well as
iureference to other matters.
The Freedmen's Bureau is universally
complained of as great evil to the whites
as we'll as to the blacks, and been the cause
of much heartburning and feeling Of hos
tility which did not exist at the the time of
tho surrender. The hostility is not serious,
aud would speedily yield on the adoption
of liberal measures by Congress.
Military Force.-None whatever is re-
quired at the South, except what the
States themselves would furnish. Order
has been completely restored.
Treatment of Union Men.-There is a
prejudice against those who remained in
the. South and pretended fealty to it, but
who now, for interested motives, set up
that they were always loyal to the Union.
Much deception of the kind is practiced.
Union men, who left the country for that
lsason, and took no part in the war, are
respected when they return. The preju-
dice never amounts to hostility, and no
one would be melested in any manner on
that account. I know of no exceptions.
Such persons require no protection. There
might be some little unkindness of look or
expression towards them, and they would
not expect freedom of social intercourse.
No attempt would be made by any one to
interfere with their personal and political
rights-none whatever.
Treatment of Northern Men.-The sec
ession men--the men who were in the war
are generally ruined and their families des-
titute and there is, for this reason, dis
position to sustain them if they undertake
any business. Actual sympathy with their
opinions must, Of course, hsvo its weight.
On the other hand, there are many who
are in aourishing business-Northern men,
who came to the South during or since the
war, and who conduct the most extensive
and lucrative operations. The .discrimina-
ton, whereit exists, is merely social. At
present it is well marked. I have never
known it to take an offensive shape. There
Is cooluess, reserve, but nothing more. La
dies at parties may not receive the atten-
tions Of Federal officers, yet the festivities
Z: go ON in the same room, and no unpleas-
ness occurs. The feeling is stronger than
1t was.s 1t is tho result of political causes.
It will wear away.
Will the South Support the Union
Against Foreign Power?-Many young
men might be tempted to fight against the
flag; but ninety.nine in the hundred of
the people are sick of war, and would sus.
tain the United States, beyond a doubt {;
ifnot from affection, at least from con.
viction Of the overwhelming power of the
Federal Government. After the results Of
the late. wan, they would know any oppo-
sition to be hopeless. Besides all foreign,
powers gre ha ted and despised, becauseI of
their conrfe toward the Condsderacy, and
would NEVER be trusted and none are be-.
heved to be able to cope with tle United
$ States. ~.
Ro. the People Expect Pay for Their
!. :slayess This matter Is sometimes discuss.
5 ed sblt noeapectation Of the kind exists.
It WoaM:be difficult Of disesrnment be-
tween slaves ando.hsr property, and the
:&eonaict between claimants would defeat
I any scheme: The Observation-Disclosures
: vast najorisy-4Sonld AK Why pay ,,j;' for
siayes and not pay Is for. our property
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