The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-03-31


establishment Of Southern indepen-
dence. or a renewal of the rebellion, d.
rectly or indirectly?
| Al know of none.
/ Q.-Have you any reason to believe
in the existence of any? aF
| AL have none. a
| Q.-In the event of a war between the
United States and any foreign governi
ment such as England or France, and-in
the event ofthere being prospect fortho
establishment of Southern indepen-l
dence by an alliance between the Seces-
siop element in the South and the for
eign enemy, have you any reason to
suppose that that element would ally
itself with the foreign enemy, or take
any part in the war against the United
States2
Al think that such has been the
punishment which they have received
| for their recent attempt to throw off the
authority of the government, unless
there was strong prospect OF success,
they would be reluctant to engage in
another attempt of the kind, with or
without an alliance. But should pow
erful foreign enemy land upOnthe south
ern coast, they would receive some ma
terial, and much moral aid under all
circumstances. Should the circum-
stances be such as to promise them their
independence, u very large portion Of
the people of the South would join the
enemy. 8.
Q.-And, in view OF the contingency
of a foreign war with powerful nation,
and the occurrence of such an invasion
of our country, do you regard the rebel
States, one or altogether, us an element
of strength in the government of tho
United States at the present timer
A.-So, sir;.on the contrary, most de-
cidedly an element of weakness.
Q.-This conclusion, 1 take it, you
have drawn from careful observation
of the sentiments and feelings of the
Southern people, SO far as you have
had auy opportunity of knowing them?
| AYES, sir. fr,e
Q.-What is their treatment, general
ly, of the freedmen?
| Alt is very various. Many persons
arc treating the freedmen kindly and
| justly; endeavoring to accommodate
themselves to the changed circum-
| stances OF the times, and to enter into
the proper relations between them, AS
between the employers and the employ
ed. Many others, on the contrary,
treat them with great harshness and in
Justice, and seek to obtain their service
without just compensation, and to re-
duce them to condition which will
give to the former masters all the bene-
| fits of slavery, and throw upon them
none of its responsibilities.
Q.-So far as you can judge, which
class is the most numerous, those who
l lEeaL LHb lTeeuIueu kluuIyt or those
who treat them with injustice and seve-
rity? Er-.Ea
A.-Thelatter.
Q.-Do you think they greatly pre-
dominate in numbers?
Al can hardly estimate the relative
proportion. 1 should think they pre-
| dominate.
Q.-Do you suppose, from what you
have seen and heard, and from what
you know, that 1t would be safe to en-
trust the great body of freedmen in
Virginia or elsewhere in the South, TO
the care of the local authorities or tho
local legislation?
Aldo not.
Q.-Suppose this were done, what
| consequences in your Judgment, would
be likely to followP Would they not
maltrent the black race, deprive them
of their rights, emharrass them in tho
enjoyment of their property If they
should have any, provoke them, gond
them If necessary to acts of violence
which the blacks might suppose they
were performing in their own defense
and In their own interests, and in this
way, within some short time, bring
about an open bloody resistance on tho
part of the black population?
Al should say there would be dam
| ger that the blacks would commit those
acts which an oppressed people, sooner
or later, commit against their oppres-
sors.
Q.-Have you any reason to believe
that the blacks possess arms to any ex-
tent at the present timer
Al have been told they do. have
received that information from citizens
of Virginia, including State officers,
| who have entreated me to take the arms
of the blacks away from them.
Q.-Who are those officers7 ~.
A.-Some were members of the pres
ent Legislature. 1 have also been asked
to do so by public meetings, held in one
of the counties. f
Q.-Have you in any case issued
orders for disarming the blacks?
Al have not I+n
Q.-The blacks, l suppose, are almost
unanimously loyal? tr1
Al think there is noquestion about
that. .l
Q.-How do Virginians feel in regard
to the education of the blacksH n6a
A.1There is great difference of
opinion in that respect in different com
munities. In some places the people
cordially approve of it. Many have
taken part in it. In other places the re-
verse is the case. Gases have come to