Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-04-06


would salec. them as associates.
@. Do they avoid and ostracise them So
eially?
A. They might avoid them. They would
not select them as associates unless there was
some reason. do not know that they would
associate with them until they became ac-
ouainted. I think it probable they would
not admit them into their social circles
@. Suppose that this policy of President
johnson should be all you anticipate, and
that YOU should also realize all that you ex-
pect in the improvement of your material In
terests, do you think that the result of that
will be the gradual restoration Of the old
feeling?
A. That would be the natural result, |
think, and see no other way IN which that
result can be brought about.
O.. Let me put another hypothetical state
of things; Suppose the Executive Govern
ment Of the United States should be held by
a President who, like Mr.. Buchanan, re-
iected the right of coercion, so-called, aud
suppose a Congress should exist here enter
tanning the same political opinions, thuspre-
senting to the once rebel States the opportu-
nifty to again secede from the Union; would
they or not, in your opinion, avail themselves
of that opportunity, or some of them them!
A. suppose it would depend upon the
circumstances existing at the time. lftheir
affections alienated from the rest of the States,
think it very probable they might do SO,
provided they thought it was to their interest.
@. Do you think it would be practicable
to convict man in Virginia Of treason for
having taken part in this rebellion against
the Government by Virginia jury, without
packing it with direct reference to verdict
of guilty?
A. On that point I have no knowledge,
and do not know what they would consider
treason against the United States, if you
mean past acts.
Mr.. HowARD-Yes, sir.
Witness have no knowledge as to what
their views on that subject in the past are.
@. You understand my question Suppose
Jury was empaneled in your own neigh
borhooa, taken by lot; would it be practical
BILE to convict, for instance, Jefferson Davis
for having levied war upon. the United States,
and thus having committed the crime of trea-
son?
A. I think it is very probably that they
would not consider he had committed trea-
son.
@. And that the ordinance of secession,
so-called, or those acts of the State which
recognized condition of war between the
State and the General Government, stood as
their justification for their bearing arms
against the Government of the United
States?
A. Yes, sir; think they would consider
the act of the State as legitimate that they
were merely using the reserved right, which
they had right to do.
Q. State, if you please, (and if you are
disinclined to answer the question you need
not do SOY what your own personal views
on that question are?
A. That was my view; that the act Of
Virginia in Withdrawing herself from the
United States carried me along, as a citizen
of Virginia, and that her laws and her acts
were binding on me.
@. And that you felt to be your justifca-
ton in taking the course you did
@. 7 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.
A. [ do not recollect ever making any such
remark. | do not think ever made it.
@. You say you do not recollect having
sworn allegiance and fidelity to the Confeder-
ate Government?
A I do not recollect it, nor do know it
was ever required. was regularly COM
missioned in the army of the Confederate
States, but do not really recollect that that
oath was required. If it was required, |
have no donbt that [ took it. or if it had been
required, would have taken it.
Q. Is there any other matter which you
desire to state to the committee?
A. No, sir. I am ready to answer any
question which you think proper to put to
me.
@. How would an amendment to the
Constitution be received by the secessionists,
or by the people at large, allowing the COL
ored people, or certain classes Of them, to
exercise the right of voting at elections +?
Al think, so far as can form an opinion,
in such an event they would object.
@. They would object to such an amend
ment?