The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-03-29

lish a rate which they did not think
fair. The means of paying wages in
there is, a difference of opinion as to how
much each person is able to pay.
Question+How dothey feel in regard
to the education of our blacks? Is there
a general Willingness or unwilliugness
to have them educated? Answer
Where have been the people have ex-
hibitedla willingness that the blacks
an opinion that that would be better for
the blacks and better for the whites.
Question-Gener you areYery COM
petent to judge of the capacity of black
men TO acquire knowledge. l want
your opinion on that capacity, as
men? Answer-I do not know that
am particularly qualified to speak on
that subject. as you seem to intimate,
but do not think he is as capable ofac-
quiring knowledge us the white man
is. There aresome more apt than others.
1 have known some to gain knowledge
and skin in their trade or profession. l
have had servants of my own who
learned to read and write very well.
Question-Do they show capaci-
ty to obtain knowledge of mathemat-
les and the exact sciences? Answer-I
have no knowledge on that subject. 1
am merely acquainted with three who
HdR6
education. -
Question-General, are you aware of
any combination existing among the
blacks of Virginia anywhere in the
State, having in view the disturbance
of the peace, or any Improper and uns
seen no evidence Of 1t, and have heard
of none. Wherever L have been they
have been quiet and orderly-not dis
posed to work, or rather not disposed
to any continuous engagement to work,
but Just very short; jobs to provide
them with the Immediate means ofsub-
sistenee.
Question-Has the, colored race gem
orally as much love for money and
property as the white race? Answer-I
do not think it has. The blacks whom
Tknow look more to the present than,
to the future. ~ I. t.sil,l .,.glg .,.l.
5 Question-Does that absence ofa lust
of money arise more from the nature
of the negro than from his former ser
vice or condition. Answer-Well it
may be in some measure attributed to
his former condition. They are an am
liable, social race. They like their ease
and comfort, and I think look more to
their present than their future condi-
ton.
Question-In the event of war be-
tween the United States and any for
eign power, such, as England and
France, If there should be held out to
the secession portion of the people of
Virginia, or the other recently rebel
States, n fair prospect of gaining their
independence and striking of the Gov
eminent of the United States, is it or is
it NOT your opinion. that they, would
avail themselves of that5o opportunity?
Answer-I cannot speak with any GER
tainty on that point. do not know
how far they might be actuated by their
T hot To
base an opinion upon. So far MS know,
they contemplate nothing of the kind
now. What may happen in the future
l cannot say.
Question.Do you not frequently
hear, in your intercourse with seces-
sionists in Virginia, expressions of
hope that such a war may break out?
Answer-I cannot say that / have heard
it. On the contrary, have heard per-
sons-I do not know whether you could
call them secessionistS or not, / mean
those people in Virginia with whom 1
associate-express hope that the coun-
try may not be led into a war.
Question-In such an event, do you
not think that the class of people whom
1 call secessionists would join the COM
mon enemy ? Answer-1t is possible.
It depends upon the feeling of the indi-
Yidual. i= i Il. 7isl.5 stia
Question-If it is fair question, you
may answer it or not, as you choose,
what, in such an event, might be your
own choice3 Answer have no dis
position now to do 1t, and never have
had. vI
Question-And you cannot forsee
that ssnch would be your inclination in
such AM event? Answer-No. can
only Judge from the past. do not
know what circumstances may pro-
duce. / cannot pretend to forsee events.
Sc, ,farias1 i know the wish of the people
of Virginia is for peace.
Question-During the war, was 1t not
contemplated by the Government of
the Confederate States to form an alli-
ance with some foreign nation if possi-
BILE? Answer-I believe it was their
wish to do so. 1t was their wish to
have the Confederate Government
recognized as an independent Govern
ment. i have no doubt If it could have
made favorable treaties it would have
done so. But L knew nothing of the
policy of the Government. l had no
hand,or part in it. i merely express
my own opinion. flllG
Question-The question am about
to put to you, you may answer or not,
as you choose. Did you take an oath
of fidelity or allegiance to the. Confed-
crate Government Answer-I do not
recollect having done so, but it is possi-
BILE when was commissioned did. /
do not recollect twhetherit was required;
if it was required I took it, or if it had
been required would have takentit,
but / do not recollect whether ttwas or
not. A aG - @
BY Mr.. BLAINE. Question-In refer
ence to the effect of President Johnson's
be anything like return of the old
feeling? I ask that because you use
the expression taco uiescingsin the re-
suit" Answer-I believe it would in
time, for the feelingsof the people seem
to be of that cordial nature to the Gov
ernment that they were formerly.
,QuestionzDo you. think that their
preference for that policy arises from n
desire to have good feeling in the coun-
try, or from the probability of their re-
gaining political power? Answer-So
far as / know the desire of the people
of the South, it is for the restoration of
their civil governments, and they look
upon the policy of President johnson
as the one which would most clearly
and most surely re-establIsh it. u
Question-Do you see by the change
in reference to the poorer people OF Ytr-
ginia, as regards ind dustry, whether they
are as much or more interested in de-
veloping their material interest than
they were? Answer-I have not OBJ
served any change. Every one now
has to attend to his business for his
support. 81 =
Qnestion-The poorer classes aregen-
orally hard at work, are they? An
So tar as knew, they are. 1
know nothing to the contrary. have
noticedno change in their relations to
the colored people, as i know the feel
ings of all of the people of Virginia are
kind to the colored people. have
never heard any blame attributed to
them as to the present condition of
things, or any responsibility.
Question-Can capitalists and work