The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-03-29
Gen. Lss's Testimony.

siun CouimiLtee OF congress:
Y. 70 You see any change among the
poorer classes IN Virginia III reference 10 in
dnstry. Are they as much or more engaged
in developing their material interests fban
they we're?
A. have not observed any change: eyerv
one now has to attend to his business for his
support.
T. The poorer classes are generally hard
at work. are they not?
A.. So far as | know, they are; know
nothing to the contrary.
G. Is there any difference iu their relations
to the colored people: is their prejudice in.
creased or diminished?
A.. | have noticed no change. So far as
do know the feelings Of oil the people ofvir-
gina, they are kind to the colored people I
have never heard any blame attributed to them
as to the present condition Of things on apy
responsibility.
q. There are very few colored laborers
unemployed. suppose?
A. Those who own farms have EMPLOYED
more or less of colored laborers, Some
are so poor that they have to work themselves,
q. Can capitalists and working men from
the North go into any portion of Virginia
with which you are familiar, and go TO work
among the people?
A. do not know Of anything to prevent
them. Theirpeac and pleasures there would
depend very much on their conduct Ifthey
confined themselves TO their own business.
and did not interfere to provoke cdn.royer-
sizes with their neighbors, do not believe
they would be molested
z. There is no desire TO keen ont labor
and capital
4. Not that know Of On the contrary
they are very anxious TO get capital into the
State.
Q. You see nothing Of disposition to
prevent such thing?
A. have seen nothing, and do not know
Of anything As said before, the manner
III which they would be received would de-
pend entirely upon the individuals them selves.
hey might make themselves obnoxious, as
you can understand.
O. BY Mr.. Howard.-Is there ndt gen
eral dislike Of northern men among secession
lists.
A. | suppose they would prefet not to
associate with them. do not know as they
would select them as associates.
Q. Do they avoid and ostracise Them So
eially?
A. They might avoid them. They would
not select them as associates unless there
was some reason. | do not know that they
would associate with them until they become
aeqnsiated. | think it probable they would
not admit them into their social circles.
Q.-By Mr.. Blow hat isi the position Of
the colored men in Virginia tn reference to
persons they work for Do you think they
would prefer TO work for Northern or South
ern men?
A. think il very probable they would
prefer the Northern men although have no
facts to go upon.
q. That having been stated very frequent
" in reference to the cotton SfatesI does il
result from = bad treatment On the pdrf Of tne
resident population. or from the ideal bal they
viii BE- more fairly treated BY the ne$ boomers
What Is your observation in thai reEpect 10
regard to Firginia
A. have no means'of forming al opinion.
! do not know any ease In Virginia. know
Of numbers ofthe blacks engaging with their
old masters, and know Of many who prefer
10 70 of and look for new homes, whether
it IL fronany dislike Of their former masters
or from any desire to change. or that they
feel more free aud independent. / do not
knnx.
z. What your opinion in regard to the
material interests of Nirginin. Do YOU think
they will be equal 10 what they were before
the rebellion under the changed aspec, Of az
fairs.
A. II will take long time for them 10
reach their former standard. / think that af-
Ter some years they will reach it. and hope
exceed it, but it cannot be inimediatiy in I'd
oplnien.
@. It will take number Of years.
A. II will take a number Of years think
q. On the whole, the condition of things
in Virginia Il hopeful, both in regard to its
national interests and the future peace OF the
country?
A. have heard grea. many opinions
expressed. there is great cheeriulness and
willingness to labor.
@. Suppose the policy Of President John
son should be ali that you anticipated, and
that you should also realize all that you ex-
pect in the Improvement Of the mate rial in
terests. do YOU think that the result Of tha,
will be the gradual restoration of the old
feeling? a
A. That will be the natural result think,
and | sec no other way in which thar resuli
can be brought about. There rs a. tear in the
public mind that the friends Of the policy in
the South adopt il because they see in i, the
/ means of repairing the political position
which they lost in the recent contest.
Q, Do you think that is the main idea
| with them, or that they merely look to it, as
you say, - the best means Of restoring the
| civil government, and the peace and prosper.
!, ity Of their respective States?
| A. As to the first point you make, do
not know that ever heard any person speak
| on il, never heard the points separated. ]
| have heard them speak generally, as to the
effect Of the policy Of President johnson.
| The feeling is. SO far as / know now, that
there IL not TINT equality exserdeh 70 the
southern side which is. engaged By ths
north So 80 W.
Q. You do not feel down there that while
| you accept the results. we are as generous al
| VS. ought to be under the circumstances
| A. They think that the north c4n afforc
to be generous,
@. That is getting down theEe7
A. Yes, and think it is the best policy
those who reflect upon the subject ane
are able to judge.
Q. understand it to be your opinion
that generosity and liberatity towards the en-
tire south wonld be the surest means Of re
gaining their good opinion? '7
] "A. Yes, and the speediest.
/ Q.-Bv Mr.. Morris--I understand you Il
say: generally, that you had no apprehension
of combination among the leading secession
lists, 70 renew the war, or anything Of th'
kind? s &e ss.s sas 3sHati
i A. have no reasons to think so.
i Q. Have you heard that subject talket
d over among any Of the politicians?
4 A. No sir, have not, have never hear
that matter even suggested.
i Q. Let me .pat An hypothetical ssate 0
things Suppose the executive eovernmen
Of the United States should be held by
President. who like Mr. Buchanan, rejecte,
the right Of coercion, 50 called, and suppos
Ia Congress should exist entertaining th
, same political opinion, thus presenting 70 tn
once rebel states the opportunity to agai
, secede from The Uni6a, would they or woui