Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1866-06-15
5rletteo 4fliseellanp.
{ Ftom Me Melropolitan Reeord. !

From The Metropolitan Record
Bill Arp is Called Before the recon-
struction Committee. --Suppressed
Testimony.
Mr.. EDITOR: Murder will out, and so
will evidence. Having seen Dan Rice's
testimony before the Destruction Com
mittee, l have felt sorter sighted be-
cause no mention amt been made of mine.
] suppose it has been suppressed, but I
am not to be hid out in obscurity. Our
country is the special jury, and by and
by this business will 60 up before it on
appeal. The record must 60 up fair and
complete, and therefore I'll take occa-
sion to make public what I swore to. l
said good deal more than I put down,
Mr.. Editor, and at times my language
was considered impudent, but they
thought that was all the better for their
side. for it illustrated the re0eilious
spirit heard ono of 'em say .. Let
him go-the ruling passion strong in
death. He's good States evidence"
When / was put on the stand old
Boutwell, swore me most fiercely and
solemnly to speak the truth, the whole
truth, and nothing but the truth, and
observed that he was then entertaining
about quart of double rectifed, and it
looked like It had soured on his stomach.
Old Blow was sitting off on one side
with memorandum book, getting ready
to note down some "garbled extracts"
Old Iron Works was Chairman, and
when he nodded his Republican head,
Old Boutwell,, says he: Your name is
Arp, | believe, sir ?"
so called" says I.
" You reside in the State of Georgia,
do you?"
81 can't say exactly" says /, 81
live in Rome, right in the fork of two
injun rivers"
/" In the State Of Georgian says he
fiercely.
" In State of uncertainty about
that" says l. f" We don't know whether
Georgia is State or not. ] would like
for you to state yourself, if you know.
The state of tho country requires that
this matter should be settled, and / will
proceed to state"
" Never mind, SIR" says he. " How
old are you, Mr.. Arp?"
THAT depends on circumstances,
says /, 81 don't know whether you
count the last five years or not. During
the war your folks said that State
couldn't secede, but that while she was
in state of rebellion she ceased to exist.
Now you say we got out, and we shant
go back till 1870 A mans age has
something to do with his rights, and if
we are not to vote, / don't think we
ought to count the time. That's about
as near as can come to my age, SIR"
+" Well, SIR" says he, faro you
familiar with the political sentiments Of
the citizens Of your State 2"
SCOT no citizens yet, sir, that we
know Of. l will thank you to speak of
us as people,"
"Well, sir" says he. "I'll humor
your obstinacy. Are the people of your
Don't speak of it as State, sir, if
you please. I'm Oh oath now, and you
must excuse me for being particular.
Call it section"
Mr.. Arp, are the pcople of your
section sufficiently humbled and repent
ant to come back into the Union on
such terms as we may think proper to
impose 2"
:" Not much they amt" says !. II
don't think they are prepared for it yet.
They wouldn't voluntarily 60 it blind
against your hand. They say the deal
wasn't fair and you've marked the cards
and stole. the trumps. but at the same
time they don't care darn what you do.
They've become Indifferent and don't
care nothin about your Guy Fawkes
business. mean no respect to you,
gentlemen, but ] was swore TO tell the