Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1866-04-12
Major-Generai Terry's Testi-
n. ~ yca3. mOnY. IO'u J NDJ

before theykeo0nstfuctiOu Oommfftee. Tht
following is Of special importance: FT
Q.--What are your means Of knowledge
of the state Of affairs in Virginia, through
out youb department ~ "....... i.
aiA.--I do not come in direct personal con
htsc, with the people of Virginia, or as much
as many Of my subordinates do. | have no
social intercourse with any except those
knownto be Union people 'Ii f,l.
r. Q.-+Why pot2 u.t .....-
! A--Thoy do not seek me, and il is nei
! ther becoming my position rs the command
ing officer OF the department, nor consistent
with my self respect, to seek them first. Ny
knowledge of Affairs is derived from the bu
sincss that aonesl TO nae officially, from the
special reports OF my suberdinstes and from
official information, of occurrences which
receive from those of my own people iu
whom have confidence. 1t is derived, a..
so. from what see IN the public press OF
Virginia, and from what is brought to my
attention officially and unofficisliy by the
Com missioner Of FreedmeB's Affairs Fire.
queutly see citizens on official business, but
not as frequently as my subordinates do
My business is chiefly done on paper
Q.--What generally is the feeling on the
part of the secession element against Union
lists, whether native Virginians or those from
other States2 ..-,g.l .,~ ;.
Al think it il % hostile as il ever has
been. As to the feeling toward the people
ofthe North, do not think it has essentially
changed from what it was during the war.
There is still the same hatred and the came
contempt for them. .r -.'
Q.-How much social intercourse is there
between them2 -'H. L,.
A.-Very little 50 far as my knowledge
goes very little indeed. it.
q. Are you prepared to state that the
state of feeling between secessionists and
Uhionists is one of. bitter hostility?
Al think it is. ..ug.i.l 3 ..
Q.-Are Unionists secure in the enjoy
ment of their righ is in the midst Of q seces.
sion community there 2 'ra.cr
Al don't think they are.s Z.
Q.--Can they safely rely on the State
Courts for justice eto themselves and protec'
tion to their rights2 .r'~ .it h
A. Mo, sir think not.
Q.-How would it be- for instance, in a
suit between Union man, whether residing
list would you apprehend that jury called
in the regular way in Virginia would be
prejudieed against Union man.?
cases, such is my impression in regard To
the feelings of secessionists toward Union
men, that think the rights of the latter,
under these circumstances, woul6 not be Sc
cured !, and know from conversation with
Union men that such is the general impres
sian among them. .t- ~. --.s.... .... ..
- q What do the secessionists appear t6
desire :? What great object do they have il
view 2,..I. So, ... ...r.r.r. ~
Ala the first place, having failed te
maintain their separate nationality, they
desire to keep themselves a separate people
and to prevent the nation, by any means in
their power, from becoming homogenery.
Secondly, they wish to make treason honor
able and loyalty Infamous, and to preserve
as far as they may be able, political power.
Q.-And the great object which they im.
mediately have in view is the possession OF
political power2 ,qr .r r,..t...
A.-Yes, sir. ..s .... ...... -...
rQ.-How do they regard President John
sons liberal policy in reconstruct,ng the
State, and granting pardons and amnesties?
A.-Theyp seem to be very much pleased
with it. They would, of course, regard
with; great favor any action tending to re-
store them to their former station.
| Q.-Do you hear any expressions of dis
loyalty among them toward President ohm
son? L ~ lat+ I'd --u'7t -...s ....
- Al do not: pax. -
cQ.-Suppose, they get into favor again
with their full representation in Congress
and with President who.- like Mr.. Buchan
an, should dsavow the right of the Govern
ment of the United States to coerce States
and should decline TO use the military forcel
Of the Government to prevent secession
would they, or would they not, in you
opinion, again secede from the Union ant
attempt to get up an independent Govern
ment? '"' 4. ..'...
A.-If they should be convinced that not
withstanding their former failure, they
then would have . certainty Of success,
think they would attempt to secede again
Q.-State whether they are 10 the habi
Of speaking contemptuously Of the Govern
msnt Of the United States, as a politica
institution? - ,...
O.-And in view of the contingency Ct
foreign war With "a powerful nation, ant
occurrences, of such an invasion of ou
country, do you regard the rebel States, ont
or altogether, as an element of strength il
the Government of the United States at tn,
present time? - ~
A. No, sir. On the contrary, most de
cidedly an element of weakness.
Q.-Do you suppose, from what you hav
seen and heard, and from what you know
that it would be safe to entrust the gres
body Of freedmen in Virginia or elsewher
in the South, to the care Of the local au
thorities or the local Legislation?
IA. II do not ~ ~ 20 -
Q.-Has the liberal policy of Presiden
johnson 10 granting pardons and amnestie
to the rebels had the effect, in your opinion
to Increase or decrease the feeling Of respec
toward the Government Of the Unite
States on the part Of the people Of Virginia
Al am unable to trace results to thei
causes in the matter but since the tim
when I took command, especially since mi
itary restraint has been so much relaxed a
it has been during two or three months
disloyal publications have very much il
creased 10 proportion to the relaxation 0
! military restraint 0i "a - .o7tG- 4