Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-08-24

CHAPTER ID
f,et.,2,;y Of Dr. j. B. JOHNSON, tahea
FcJ. s, 1866.
Question. Where do you reside?
Ans,ser Alexandria, Virginia.
:; are you a practiciug physician in Alex
;HGrie?
t.. Yes.
!, How long have you resided in Virginia !?
l.. am a native Of Virginia.
:. What was your occupation during the
.?2..
l.. That Off physician
T. Were you practicing at Alexandria
l.. Yes
c, What political party were you connected
,::h during the war or since the war?
t.. The States rights party.
4. Did you take any part in the War?
=, No, sir, none.
!. Are you we'll acquainted with the state
Z public feeling in Virginia toward the govern
-5nt of the United States?
4. | have had opportunities since the cessa
;cn of hostilities Of observing the temper and
Character Of the people.
y. Does the secession part of the people
.3eaerally feel kindly toward the government of
&c United States?
l. They manifest no opposition. They show
ge.tect obedience TO the laws, procamations,
and orders of the government; that is, among
hat class Of the people whom we expect, Of
curse, to be laW.abiding and good citizens
.. Do you not, habitually or occasionally,
aaar contemptuous expressions towards the
government
t. Yes, sir, do sometimes
-. Have any instances of violence come
.thin your notice growing out Of differences Of
political opinion since the war?
4. Nothing Of any consequence, except
nose little street disturbances, which are al
:77ays liable to occur-mere matters Of police.
.. Is there not deep feeling of disappoint
Ient and chagrin on the part Of secessionits at
,le result Of the war?
4. I do not observe it. They all seem to be
areerfu and to take the result as matter Of
course. They seem to be perfectly reconcilcd,
md to be returning to habits Of peace as rapid
7 as they can [ see no bitterness about their
disappointment.
9. Do they generally regard the question of
=Ae right Of secession rs having been settled by
ne sword
A. 1t seems to me 50. That is the express
con of the majority OF those with whom have
conversed.
.. Do they generally hold, at present, that
:, State has the right 10 sccedc from the
Union?
4. have heard no expressions Of such an
opinion, either public or private.
c. You think that practically the result Of
he war has decided that question in their
minds
4. I do think so fror my observation.
.. How do this class Of people generally feel
:oHard the freedmen?
4. Very kindly. We have had no difficulty
:,oro or Sicputo with fha paorooc oD
one occasion, on Christmas day. A crowd of
drunken white people got into miscellaneous
o;g with negroes; but the negroes are gener-
lily treated kindly My own negroes with the
,gcaDtion of one have returned to me-
ny own negro boy, whom | have OWN
e: since infancy, has returned to me after
having been employed in the colnmissary
department. in Alexandria, at the rate Of thir
live dollars month and ratloDS He has
"eturred tc his old status. The feeling be-
,Ween the negroes and their former masters
c9em to bo perfectly kind see the negroes
:7orilng as usual.
q. From what you know Of the feeling in
ilglnla, have you any reason to suppose that
g majority of Eirginians would now, if left to
:halr free choice, decide in favor Of a southern
Independent government?
4. cannot say; am in that position Of
lie that does not justify me in giving express
3:on to what public sentiment would be; l DO
,2Ot feel able to answer the question satisfacto-
lily, because | am not informed on the sub
;ect but | may say that | have scarcely met Il
single person among the secessionists who does
cot really accept the matter as settled, and
seem to be satisfied with it.
y. How do they regard the Frecdmen's Bu-
:eau?
A. We really have very little to do with the
sreedmen's Bureau.
=. You do not like it much?
A. Well, We do not object to it; we have
out very little difficulty with the negroe. a
;9egro occasionally commits a theft, and is
handed over to the Freedmen's Bureau and
1Ed, and that is the end Of it.
!. Are negroes more theyish than white
-oen of about that condition?
=. | think not I really do think that the
negroeS of the south, land, indeed, it has been
ne experience ola great many strangers among
lS,) as class Of servants, really enjoy higher
4orallty than any other class of the kind on
me face OF the earth; that is my impression.
Situated as they have been in slavery, they
.;aVe never had the temptation to steal If
hey did steal, or take from their masters, as
natter Of course it would be noticed
Y: Are they not generally as veracious, as
:2uth-telling, as the like condition OF whites
I. Yes, sir; | must say that they are
mere Is as much honesty aud vcracty among
hem. Since the war | have tried both white
m and black servants, but declare that I did not
see any difference In morality; my experience
= that the negroes are a great deal better than
:ne same class Of whites; [ must really decide
n favor Of the negroes.
v Is there any other statement that you
"eslre to make to the committee? ~..
4. No, sir, believe not