The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-03-29
WHEELING, WEST VA, THURSDAY MORNING MARCH 49, 1866
quainted. Think Improbable that they
would not admit them into their social

would not aumlt them lnto Inelr Social
circles.
By Mr.. BI,ow-Do YOU think the col
ored persons would rather work for n
Northern than Southern MANI An
swer-I think livery probable that they
would prefer the Northern man, al
though i have no facts. j know of num-
bers of the blacks engaging with their
masters, and know OF a GOOD many
who prefer 10 go off and look for new
homes. Whether it is from any dislike
to their former masters, or desire to
change, or that they feel more free and
independent, I do not know
Question-What is your opinion in
regard to the material interests of Vir-
ginia. Do you think they will be equal
to what they were before the rebellion
under the changed aspect of atfairs?-
Answer-It will take a long time for
them to reach their former standard. i
think after someyears they will reach
it. Il hope they will exceed it, but il
can't be Immediately. In my opinion
it will take number of years.
Question4On the whole, is the condi-
ton of things in Virginia as hopeful
both in regard to its material interests
and future pence of the country? An
swer-I have hehrd great hope express
ed, and great cheerfulness and willing
ness to labor. ..g-.
Question-Suppose that this policy of
President johnson should be all you
anticipated, and that you should also
realize all that you expect, in the i'm
proVeIent of your national interests,
do you think that the result of that will
be the gradual restoration of the old
feeling? Answer-That would be the
natnrai result, / think, and 1 see no
other way in which that result can be
brought about. - la u4 -tl
Question-There is fear in the pub
lie mind that the friends of the policy
in the South adopt it because they see
in it the means of regaining the politi-
cal position which they lost in the re-
cent contest. Do you think that is the
main idea5with them, or that they mere
ly look to it, as you say, as the best
means ofrestoring their civil govern
ment, and the pence and prosperity of
their respective States? Answer-AS to
the first point you make, 1 do not think
that 1 ever heard any person speak
upon it. never heard the points sep
arated. 1 have heard them speak gen.
orally as to the effect of the policy of
President johnson, they feeling, SO far
as know, that there is not that equali-
ty extended to the Southern States us is
enjoyed by the North.
Question-You do not feel down there
that while you accept the result that we
are as generous as we ought to be, un-
der the circumstances? Answer-They
think that the North can afford to be
generous.
there? Answer-Yes, and they thinlSit
is the best policy-those who reflect
upon the subject and are able to judge.
Question: understand it to be your
opinion that generosity and ltberaiity
towards the entire South would be the
surest means of regaining their good
opinion7 Answer-YeS, and the speed
lest. ., ...
General, that you had no apprehension
of any combination among the leading
secessionists to renew the war or any
thing of the kind? Answer-I have no
reason in the world to think so.
Question-Have you heard the sub
ject talked over among the politicians?
Answer-No, sir; have not. have
not head that matter suggested!
Question-Let me put another politi-
cal case. Suppose the Executive chair
fthe United States should be filled by
a President like Buchanan, who reject
ed the right of coercion, so called, and
suppose IA Congress should exist here
entertaing the same political opinions,
thus presenting to the once rebel States
the opportunity to again secede from
the Union, would they or not, in your
opinion, avail themselves of that oppor-
tunity, or some of themf Answer-I
suppose it would depend upon the cir
cumstances existing at the time. If
their feelings should remain embitter-
ed and their affections alienated from
the rest of the States, 1 think it very
probable they might do so, provided
they thought it was to theirintereSt. lido
not know there is IA deep feeling of dis
like towards the Government. think
it probable some amnesty may exist
among some of the people. think at
the time that they We're disappointed as
to the result OF the war. know of no
condition of discomfort against the Gov
ernment among the secessionists.
believe that the people will perform to-
wards the Government all the duties
they are required to perform. think
that is the general feeling.
practicable to convict a man in Vir-
ginia of treason for having taken part
in this rebellion against the Govern
ment, by a Virginia jury, without back
ing it with direct reference to verdict
of guilty? Answer-On that point 1
what they would consider treason
against the Government, if you mean
past acts.
Mr.. Howard-Yes, sir.
General Lee-I have no knowledge
as to what their views on that subject
in the past are.
Question-You understand my ques-
y
in your own neighborhood, taken by
lot, would it be practicable to convict,
for instance, Jefferson Davis for having
levied war on the United States, and
thus having committed the crime of
trenson2 Answer-Think it would be
very probable that they would not con-
slider he had committed treason. do
not know whether jury would hold
the instructions of the court to convict
the offender.
Question-They do not generally sup
pose that it was treason against the
Government, do they? Answer-I do
not think that they do so consider it.
So far as 1 know they look upon the
action of State in withdrawing from
the Government rs carrying the indt-
viduals in it along with IL, that the
State was responsible for the act and
not the individual. i am now referring
to the past.
you are disinclined you need not an
swer the question, what your own per-
sonal views on that question weref
Answer-Thnt was my view, that the
act of Virginia in Withdrawing herself
from the Union carried me along as
citizen of Virginia, and that her laws
and her acts We're binding on me.
Question-And that you felt to be
your justification in taking the course
you did? Answer-YeS, sir.
Question: have been told, General,
that You have remarked to some of your
friends in conversation, that you were
rather wheedled or cheated in that
course by politicians. Answer-I do
not .recollect ever making that remark.
1 do not think I ever made it.
Question-If there be any other mat
about which you wish to speak, do so
freely. Answer-Only in reference TO
that last question you put to me. 1
may have said, and may have be-