The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-04-18
II. stevens before the RecOnstruc.
ton Committee.

Continuation OF the Evidence or Alex
II. stevens before the RecOnstruc
tiOn COMMITTEES.
WASHINGTON, April II.
Q.-State whether from your obser.
4 vations, the evils of the war have pro,
duced any change in the public mind
| of the South on the question of the re-
served rights of the States under the
constitution of the United States7
A.-That question in part answered
Yesterday: while I cannot state from
personal knowledge what extent are
the opinions of the Southern States up
on the abstract question of the reserved
rights-the rights of the States may
have changed-my decided opinion is
that very thorough change has taken
place upon the practical policy of re-
sort to any such rights.
Q.-Whut events or experience of the
war have contributed TO this change?
A.-First, the people are satisfied that
resort to the exercise of this right,
while it is denied by the federal govern
ment, will lead to war, which many
thought before the late attempted seces-
sion would not be the case, and civil
wars they are also now very we'll salts
fed are dangerous to liberty. and more
over their experience in the late war, L
think has satisfied them that it greatly
endangered their own. 1 allude espe-
habeas corpus and the military con-
scription, the prOclamations of martial
law in various places, general impress
ments and the levying of forced contri-
buttons, as well as the very demoraliz-
ing effects of the war generally.
Q.-When were you last member of
the Congress of the United States.
Al went out on the 4th of March,
1859.
OWN you state, If not indisposed
to do so, the considerations of opinion
which led you to identify yourself with
the rebellion SO far as to accept the Of
flee of Vice President of the Confeder-
ate States of America, SO called.
Al believed thoroughly in the re-
served sovereignty of the several States
of the Union or the Constitution OF
1857. Iopposed secession, therefore, as
measure of policy and not one OF
right on the part of Georgia. When
the State seeded against my Judgment
and vote, l thought my ultimate allie
glance was due to her, and preferred
to cast my fortunes and destiny with
her and her people rather than to take
any other course, even though 1t may
lead myselfto sacrifice and her to ruin.
In acceptinga position under the new
order of things, my sole object
was to do all the good could
in preserving and perpetuating the
der the Constitution of the United
States. If the Union was to be aban-
doned either with or without force, which
I thought very impOlitic measure. L
wished, if possible, to preserve and per-
petuate the principles of the Constitu-
ton. This, L was not without hope,
might be done in the new contederacy
of States formed when the conflict
arose. My efforts were directed to
speedy and peaceful adjustment of the
questions if possible. This adjustment,
i always thought to be lasting, and
would ultimately be settled upon a
constitutional basis, founded upon the
principles of mutual convenience and
reciprocal advantage on the part of the
States, in which the Constitution of the
United States was originally formed.
l was welded to no particular plan of
adjustment except the recognition as u
basis of the separate sovereignty OF the
several States. With this recognized
principle 1 thought all other ques-
lions OF difference ought to adjust
themselves according to the best
interest, peace, welfare and pros
perity of the whole country as en-
iightened reason, calm Judgment and
sense of justice might direct, this doc
trine of the sovereignty of the several
principle of our American system of
State government, extending possibly
over the continent.
Q.-Have your sentiments undergone
any change since the opening of the
rebellion in reference to the reserved
right of States, under the Constitution
of the United States2
Any convictions on the original
abstract question have undergone no
change, but 1 accept the issue of the
war, and the result as practical set
Element of that question. The sword
was appealed to to decide the question,
and by the decision of the sword am
willing to abide.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 15:-co4sul