Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-03-13
nnr Washington Correspondence.

"
| Recorstructior-Te .-Union feeling at he
.Souah-War uith France and another Rebellion
| The Committee on ReconstrnctiOn and the
| President -Mexico-Rsciprocity 1redty--.N's-
oeliaxeous.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
| WASHINGTON, ID. e.,
| March 7, 1866.
Mr.. EDITOR The Committee on Recon-
struction who have seemed to absorb everything
in regard to that matter. without showing the
slightest intention of making report, have at
length commenced the work by reporting for the
admission of Tennessee, and have at the same
time given some of the testimony in regard to
| the condition of the Southern States. This test-
mony is nearly all concurrent, showing the IN
settled state of the South and the bitter feei ng
of the people.
UNION FEELING AT THE SOUTH.
| 10 East Tennessee the people are declared 20
be almos, without exception loyal, while IN West
Tennessee they extremely disloya, their senti-
ment gradually changing We proceed from east
| to west. Arkansas Is represented as being 10 a
comparatively good condition. The people seem
to be loyal, and rejoiced at the overthrow of the
rebel power, while the members and senator's
| elect true men. In the rest of the Southern
States the hostility to everything in the shape of
a Unionist is exceedingly bitter. Loyalty, i'm
| mediately after the close of the war, seemed
likely to prevail, but in consequence of the Pres-
dents lenlent policy, treason has taken courage,
and politicians endeavoring to lead the people
| back to their former bitterness. In nearly all the
| States they have succeeded only too well. The
common feeling to be thst they regret only
their want Of success, not their reasonable course
that they had far rather live under the Con-
| federate Government than that of the United
States. Allow to insert few lines from the
testimony of Gen. Grerson, OF raid notoriety,
which is OF special interest, coming from one who
is thoroughly acquainted with the state of feeling
in the Gulf States:
| Question. Is the feeling of hostility the
Government one which controls great majority
or only minority OF the people in the regions of
which you have spoken?
Answer 1t is the feeling OF the majority. At
the time OF the appointment of the civil officers,
a great many of those who had served in the army
during the rebellion were repenlant. There was
hardly Loyal man appointed TO civil office under
the State governments.
Il Question. So far you know, how do Alaba-
ma and Mississippi compare with Georgia and
Tennessee
Answer. | think there is not much difference.
If any, think il is in favor of Tennessee. think
that tennessee is rather more loyal State. |
hoped that after the rebellion they would have
been loyal, least, that they aoud accepted
the situation sincerely, but | satisfied they do
not. believe there is now organization
isting throughout the South for he renewal Of
the rebellion There are many circumstances or
things which have occurred since the surrender
| to make me believe it.
| Question. Is there any sentiment with regard
| to foreign war?
/ Answer. There seems manifested great desire
TO have the country involved in a with France,
in relation to Mexico. | think 10 such an event
they would seize the opportunity % turn agains,
| the Government. This is the sentiment of Lead
ing of the South. From all could learn
| the spirit of resistance still exists. Tdis Is as
strong as ever, and in the event OF this country
being engaged in fore On Wal, the enemies OF the
| Government throughout the South mediate and
would not fail TO seize the opportunity to attempt
again Its destruction.
THE COMMITTEE ON RECONSTRUCTION AND THE
| PRESIDENT.
| The Committee have gathered very full and
complete testimony in regard to the different
points of interest which the restoration IF
the Sou. bern States, and have performed an im-
mense amount of labor, hardly to b. realized by
those who condemn their slOwness to report any
matured plan Of reconstruction. Every one should
know that the hardness is not from any desire to
have the States unrepresented, but from the abso-
lutte necessity of taking this testimony, caused by
the refusal OF the President to swer the resolu-
tons of inquiry, the condition OF these States
and their actions which early in the session. were
sent to him. 18th what poor grace does the TRADE
against this committee come from him when he
not only fails to give the House the necessary in
formation-although in his hands-but entirely
ignores their request, not saying that the
public interest would not allow it Now, how
ever after they have obtained ali their nforma.
ton in other ways, from other sources, a message
comes from the President in reply to resolution
oil the House of January II, giving the desired
information.
On Monday Mr.. Woodbridge astonished every
one by introducing, after lengthy preamble re-
ferrng to the bonds of the Mexican Republic.
and setting forth the friendship of the United
States TO that Republic, the following extraordi-
nary resolution
THAT the payment Of the aforesaid loan of
nifty millions of dollars, with interest thereon &C
cording to the face of the bonds, be- and the same
is hereby guaranteed by the United States of
America"
Objection was made to its reception, and it was
only allowed by vote of 65 to GA, the casting
vote being given by the Speaker. 1t has gone
to the Committee Foreign Affairs, and will
probably never be heard of again. 1t is generally
considered that it was intended for home effect
but the effect would seem to me to be. at least.
doubtful. Mr.. Morrill,, with his usual good sense
and discrimination, opposed the introduction OF
the measure.