Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-04-23
INTFRyrEw WITH ALEX. H. STEPHENS.
From the New York World

RICHMOND Va, April l6.-Just previous to leav-
ing the capital had the pleasure OF prolonged in.
teryiew with Alexander H. Stephens.
Concerning the present position OF the South Mr..
Stephens spoke with great disbursement remark
ing that many of the people who during the war
were with him both in feeling and political senti-
ment are now almost inclined to think that il would
have been better to have died in the last ditch as
originally proposed" This depression OF feeling
arose from a conviction, formed after much thought
that it was the intention OF the kadicals 70 grnu
them down to the uttermost, and to keep them IN
the position and condition Of dependent colonsts:
Mr. Stephens said that he had spoken with Howell
Cobb, upon this subject, and that he seemed 10 en-
tertain this view and though at first he was dlspos,
ed to think that the South, being conquered, would
be generously treated, the impression was gaming
ground that it was the intention of the government
to grind the South down to the finest possible edge
He however still cherished the belief that the action
of the extreme Radicals would result eventually, to
the benefit of the South, by showing how much dam
age could be done by extreme views and harsh meas.
ures, and how little good. Speaking of Georgia, he
remarked with some spirit and evident pride, :" The
Empire State of the South was taken out OF the
Union by extremists, and not by the true Georgans
the people having been led to believe that under the
government of President Lincoln and party all their
rights would be taken away.
The recent action of Congress has almost persuaded
the people that these same extremists were right
When his old friends came in late at evening, and
would say with earnest voice and troubled face,
d" Well, Alc, what do You think of things now" he
was forced to tell them that he had hoped for more
generous treatment for people conquered and en-
trely submissive.
With regard to his election to the Senate, he
thought that it ill-advsed and pronounced such
to be his view. The Legislature was determined,
and ted entirely on their own views.
Speakingo of General Logan, he said: " He must
have been fine soldier; he was an old Douglas
friend and should be glad to have better acquain
lance with him. always thought that he was des-
tined to be one of the of the country, and have
watched his career with great interest, and glad
to that my first impression has proved a correct
one."
OF his Imprisonment in Fort Warren, Mr. Stephens
spoke quietly. and with somewhat serious face,
marking that his underground quarters were not the
most pleasant in the world but that he enjoyed the
climate of the old Bay State exceedingly, and would
be glad to spend the next summer there.
The Bostonians were persons that one could de-
pend upon in any emergency. If they had laws
they enforced them. If they had peculiar views
they defended them ably but never had he expert
enced more uniform courtesy or more genial CON-
panionship. He liked Boston, but could not speak
with any degree of satisfaction with regard to Fort
Warren.
Altogether the interview was an extremely pleas
ant one, and felt impressed with the belief that
there few better Union men in our country than
Alexander Fl. Stephens the late president of the
late confederacy.