The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-04-24
MR., STEPHENS TESTIMONY.

MIR. STEPHENS TESTIMONY.
Among the testimony reported to the House
of Representatives on the 10th inst, from the
Reconstruction Committee, was that OF ex-Nlce
president A H. Stephens, OF Georgia. He
states that he had conversed freely and fully
with prominent leading men in Georgia, and
met with a great many prominent and influential ,
men at Milledgevile not connected with the
LEGISLATURE. He gave his decided opinion from
conversation with men and from correspondence
that an overwhelming majority OF the people Oh
Georgia are exceedingly anxious ror the res'o-
ration of the Government, and tor the otate u
take her former position IN the Union; 10 nave
her Senators and Representatives admitted into
Congress and to enjoy all her rights ana as
charge all ner obligations as State under. the
Constitution of the United States az 1t stands
amended His opinion OF the sentiments OF the
people of Georgia is that the exercise or the
right of secession resorted to by them from
desire to render their liberties and institutions
more secure, and belief on their part that this
was absolutely necessary for that object. He
further believes that it is their opinion that the
surest if not the only hope, for their liberties is
the restoration of the Constitution of the United
States and of government under that Constltu--
ton. He thinks the people are sufficiently
satisfied with the experiment never to resort to
that measure of redress again by force What
ever may be their own abstract ideas upon that
subject, they have come to the conclusion thai
it is better to appeal to the forms OF reason ana
Justice, to the halls of Legislation and the courts,
for the preservation of the principles of Constl-
tutional liberty, than to the arena of arms. The
idea of secession is totally abandoned.
Since putting the above in type, we have
received futreport of Mr. Stephens testimony.
We give below a portion of Mr. Stephens an
swers to the questions put by Mr. Boutwell,, one
of the members of the Reconstruction Committee
Mr. Stephens position as to the duty and rights
of the Southern States will he cordially endorsed
by the Southern people,
Question.-If the proposition were to be sub
rnitted to Georgia. as one of the eleven States
lately in rebellion, that she might be restored to
political power in the government of the country
upon the condition precedent that she should, on
the one hand, extend suffrage to the negro, or on
the other consent their exclusion from the basis
.cf representation, would she accept either propo-
-sition and take her place in the government of
>the country!
Answer.-I can only give my opinion. do
mot think she would accept either as a condition
precedent presented by Congress; for they do not
believe that Congress has the rightfu power un-
der the Constitution to prescribe such condition.
If Georgia is State in the Union her people
feel that she is entitled to representation without
conditions imposed 10y Congress; and if she Is not
State in the Union then she could not be admit
ted as an equal with the others, if her admission
were tramme.led with conditions that Go not APP
ply to the rest alike. General, universal suffrage
amongst the colored people as they are now,
would, by our people, be regarded is about as
great political evil as could bcfal them.
Q. Suppose the States that are represented
4, .l,, 10 Of
ion that Georgia should not be permitted to take
its place in the government of the country except
upon its assent to one the other of the two
propositions suggested, is it then your opinion
that under such circumstances Georgia ought to
decline!
A. Then l think she ought to decline, under
the circumstances and for the reason stated, and
so ought the whole eleven. Should such an offer
he made and declined, and these States should
thus continue to be excluded and kept out; sim
gular spectacle would be presented-a complete
reversal of positions. In 1861 these States
Thought they could not remain safely III the Union
without guarantees, and now when they
agree to resume their former practical relations
in the Union under the Constitution as it is tie
other States turn upon them and say they cannot
permit them to do So safely to their interest," with
out new guarantees or their part. The Southern
States would thus present themselves as willing
for immediate union under the Constitution, while
it would be the Northern States opposed to it
The former disunionists would thereby become
unioniSts and the former unionists practical dis
unionstS.
c. Dayou mean to be understood in your
last answer, that there is no constitutional power
In the government, as at present organized, to
exact conditions precedent. to the restoration to
political power of the eleven States that have
been in rebellion?
A. That is my opinion.
z. Do you entertain the same opinion in re-
ference to the amendment to the Constitution
abolishing slavery: i
A. do; think the States, however, abolished
slavery in good faith, of the results of the
war; their ratification of the Constitutional amend
ment followed as consequences; do not think
there is any constitutional power on the part of
the government to have exacted it as a condition
precedent to their restoration under the Constirl-
tion or to the assumption ofthese places as MEM
bers Of the Union.
Q. What, in your opinion, is the legal value
+. OF the laws passed by Congress and approved by
the President, in the absence of the Senators and
I Representatives from the eleven States!
A. do not know what particular law YOU re- |
fer to, but my answer, generally that the validi-
ty of all laws depend their constitutionalitv.
This is question for the Judiciary to determine. |
Z My own judgment, whatever it might be. would |
/ have to conform to the judicial determination of
the question. 1t is a question for the courts to |
determine
/ @ Have you formed any opinion upon that
onp | Il, l