The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-04-01
Gen. Robert r. Lee.

We give up much of our space, this
morning, to the testimony given be-
fore the Reconstruction Committee
by the heroic leader of the late Con-
federate armies. General Lee, pre-
facing his statements by the qualify
ing explanation that, since the close
of the war, he has lived much in re-
tirement and has not mixed with
the politicians, gives evidence mainly
of o negative character. He declares
that, SO far as his knowledge extends,
nothing like sentiment of hostility
to the United States Government ex-
lists in Virginia; that there are no
combinations or conspiracies having
that end in view; that the people,
though disappointed and saddened by
the result of the war, accept that re-
suit submissively, and are only look
ing now to their material interests,
and that the surest and speediest
means of reconciling the people to
the Government and making them
its cordial supporters is, to extend to
them equal political rights with the
people of the other States. AS to the
negroes, he expressed the belief,
which he says he has always enter
tanned, that the State would be much
better without them, and he repu-
dated the idea that crue- les were
purposely inflicted on Federal pri-
soners of war. With regard to the
outbreak of the war, he re-asserts his
opinion that the appeal to the sword
was 5rought about by the action of
the politicians of both sections, and
that, had the great mass of the peo-
pie understood the situation, they
would have avoided it.
The testimony of the members of
the Virginia Legislature, who had
come as q delegation to President
johnson, was also important and in
teresting. They concur in opinion as
to the complete absence of any feel
ing looking to a renewal of the con-
test with the Government. The ques-
ton of secession, they say, was set
tied by the sword, and the people are
content to abide by the decision, and
to live henceforth faithful citizens of
the republic. They represent the
feeling Of the people at large and OF
themselves as unalterably opposed to
the idea of extending political rights
to negroes. General Lees testimony
will be read with interest by all who
appreciate truth and candor.
Mr.. JOHNSON AND Mr.. DANA
Washington letter to the Cincinnati
Commercial, all Administration paper,
states that the way Mr.. Charles A.
Dana letter to the President came
to be published was as follows:
The editor of the Washington Re.
publican, in conversation with the
President, remarked that it was
strange to him that Dana should be
SO strong in his opposition and sc
venomous in his denunciation of Mr.
johnson. "You must be mistak en-
about that" said the President; 81
never read that paper, but Mr. Dana
is a friend of mine, and endorses al
l have done about reconstruction.
To convince him to the contrary, ar
ill-tempered and vituperative article
from the Chicago Republican was
shown to his Excellency. ''That':
strange" said the President, tapping
one of the little bells that, according
10 MIR. Seward, have such wonderful
power over the fate of individuals
A messenger entered the Executive
sanctum, and said Mr.. Johnson
''Tell - to send me letter from
Mr.. Dana, applying for the New Yorl
Collectorship." The missive was pro
duced and read. The Presiden
smiled. 'Isn't that funny?" said he
and the next day, the country wa
informed by telegraph why the i'm
maculate Dana didn't like the Presi
dent
At the recent term of court for An
derson District, j. W. Brooks wa
found guilty, and recommended t
mercy. for horse-stealinp. His da