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

States il was continuous right, under the Con-
st;tut;on of the United States, 20 be exercised SO
soon as the seeding States respectively made
Known their readiness to resume their former po-
1;cal relations with the federal government, under
the Constitution of the United States. AS the
General government denied the right OF secession,
do not think any of the States attempting to
exercise it thereby lost any of their rights under
the Constitution, as States, when their people
abandoned that attempt
@. Is it. or hot, your opinion that the Legisla-
lures and people of the eleven States respectively
have at present such ri ght to elect Senators and
REPRESENTATIVES to Congress, that it may be exer-
csed without regard to the part which the persons
elected NAV have had in the rebellion. A. do
not think thew could exercise that rig ut In the
choice of their Senators and members, SO as to
impair in the slightest degree the constitutional
right of each House of itself to Judge of the quail
ifcations of those who might be chosen; the right
Of the constitutional action of State to choose,
and the right of each House of Congress to judge
of the qualifications of those elected to the respec
tive bodies are very distinct and different ques-
tons; and in thus judging of qualifications am
| free to admit that in my opinion no one should
he admitted as member of either House of Con-
press who is not really and truly loyal to the
Constitution of the United States and to the gov
eminent established by it.
@ State whether, from your observation, the
events of the war have produced any change In
the pubic mind of the South on the question
of the reserved rights of the States under the
Constitution of the United States! A. That
question | answered in part yesterday; while L
cannot state from personal knowledge to what
extent the opinions of the Southern States up
on the abstract question of the reserved rights
of the States may have changed, my decided
opinion is that avery thorough change has taken
place upon the pracocal policy of resorting to
any such right.
O. What events or experience of the war
have contributed to this change? A. First,
the people are satisfied that resort to the exer-
else of this right while it is denied by the Fed
eral government, will lead to war, which many
thought before the late attempted secession
would not be the case; and civil wars, they are
also now very we'll satisfied, dangerous to
liberty and moreover, that experience In the
late war, [ think, has satisfied them that 1t
greatly endangered their own; | allude especial
ly to the suspension of the writ Of hoJeas cor
pus and the military CONSUMPTION, the proclama-
ton of martial law in various places, general
impressments aud the levying Of forced contr-
buttons as well as the demoralizinS effects of
war generally.
O. When were you last member of the Con-
| gfeSS OF the CniteQ StateS! y. L went Out Ou
the 4th of March, 1859.
Q. Will you state, if not indisposed to do So,
the considerations or opinions which led you to
identify yourself with the rebellion, far as to
accept the office Of Vice President of the Con-
federate States of America, called? A. |
believed thoroughly in the reserved sovereignty
Of the several States of the Union under the
! compact of Union, or the Constitution of 1877.
| | opposed secession, therefore question Of
policy, and not one Of right, on the part Of
Georgia. When the State seeded against my
| jude ment and vote, thought my ultimate allie
glance was due to her, and | preferred to cast
my fortunes and destiny with her and her peo-
pie, rather than to take any other course, even
though it may lead to my selfsacrifce and her
ruin. In accepting position under the
der Of things my sole object was to do all the
good | could in preserving and perpetuating
the principles Of liberty established under
the Constitution Of the United States. If the
Union to be abandoned either with or
without force, which thought very impulitic
measure, [ wished, if possible, to reserve, pre-
serve, and perpetuate the principles of the Con-
stituton. This was not without hope might
be done in the new confederacy of States
formed. When the Conflict arose. my efforts
were directed to as speedy and peaceful adjust
ment of the questions as possible. This adjust
ment L always thought, to be lasting, would
have ultimately to be settled upon constitu-
tional basis, founded upon the principles of
mutual convenience and reciprocal advantage
on the part Of the States by which the Consti-
tuition OF the United States was originally form
ed. was welded to no particular plan of ad-
justment, except the recognition as basis of
the separate sovereignty of the several States
with this recognized principle. [ thought all
other questions of difference ought to adjust
themselves according to the best interest, peace,
welfare, and prosperity of the whole country,
as enlightened reason, calm judgment, and a
sense Of justice might direct, this doctrine of
the sovereignty of the several States, as a self
adjusting, regulating principle of our general
system OF State government, extending possibly
over the continent.
O. Have your sentiments undergone any
change since the opening of the rebellion, in
reference to the reserved rights of the States
under the Constitution of the United States?
A. My convictions of the original abstract cues
ton have, undergone no change, but accept
the issue Of the war, and the result as a pract-
cal settlement of that question. The sword was
appealed to to decide the question, and by the
decision ofthe sword am willing to abide.
"ACuTNrnor rnnrro