New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-03-28

without packing IT. with direct reference 10 'eruct VI
guilty. 4. On that point have no knowledge, anu l
do not know what they would consider treason against
the United States: If You refer to past acts
M Howard-Yes, Sir.
Wituess-l have no knowledge what theU views on
that sub ject in the past are
@. You understand my question; suppose a jury was
impanneled in your own neighborhood taken py lOt,
would be possible to convict for instance. Jefferson
Davis for having levied upon the United States,
and thus having committed the crime OF treason a..
think it is very probable that they would not consider
he had committed treason.
O. Suppose the jury should be clearly and plainly IN
srcted by the Court that such act OF war upon me
par, of Mr. Davis or any other leading man constr
uied in itself the crime of treason under the C0nstitu-
ton of the United States, would the jury be ikey 70
heed that instruction. and if tho facts were plainly 10
proof before them. convict the onenderf a. uo hO'
know Sir, what they would do on that question.
O. They do not generally suppose that u was treason
against the United States, do theyi A. do not MINK
that they so consider It, 49, ,,. II,
be their excuse or justifcationi How would they es'
cape in their own mind refer TO the past an re-
ferring TO the past and the feelings they Woud nave.
A. SO far as know they look upon the action OF inc
State in withdrawing itself from the Government OF the
United States carrying the individuals OF tle olac
along with il; that the state was Responsible LOT tne
act not the individuals and that the ordinance OF De-
cesson 90 cal ed or those acts Of the State which reeo
nized condition of war between the stare anu the
General Government stood as Their JusthcatlVh Ior
their bearing arms against the Government Oh tne
United States; / think they would consider the
ac, Of the State as egitimaei that they Were mercy
using the reserved rights which they had rg1 70 uo
O State if YOU please and If yOu are disincned nec
NOT do so what your personal views on that qnes'
lion aref A That my view; that the act OF tir-
GINA in Withdrawing herself from the United S'a,es
carried me along as citizen OF Virginia, and that her
laws and her acts were binding or me.
O. And that you felt to be your justification IN taxing
the course you did, \. Yes Sir
O. have been told. General that yon have remarked
10 some of your friends in conversation that YOU were
rather wheedled cheated into that course by pot'
clans A. do not recoect ever making any sueh IT,
I 10 mt | 81 made n,
O. II there be any other matter about winch you wish
10 speak this occasion, do so freely. a. Ohy III
reference to that last question you put 70 ue may
have said and may have believed that the positions oil
the two sections which they held TO each other wah
brought about by the politicians OF the country; that
the great masses of the people II they UNDERSTOOD tbc
real question would have avoided ~ but not that had
been individually wheedled by the politicians.
O. That is probably the origin OF the whole thing !
A. | may have said that; but 40 not even recoIlcct
that; but did believe at the time that IT was an un.
necessary condition Of affairs, and might have oeen
avoided II forbearance and wisdom had been praetced
on both sides
q Won saw that Won do not recOlect having sworn
allegiance and fidelity TO the Confederate Government
A. do not recolect IT, nor do know 1t was ever re,
ouired. | was regularly commissioned in the army oil
the Confederate States but do not really reeolect
that that oath was requred If II was required nave
no doubt took it, ifit had been required, woald
have taken IL.
o. Is there any other matter which you desire TO
state to the Committed 4. No Sir l am ready 10
answer any question which you think proper to put TO
o How would an amendment 20 the Constitution be-
received by the SecesiOusts or by the people at large
allowing the coorcd people or certain classes OF them
to exercise the right Of voting al eeotonsi y TANK
far as can form an opinion III sucn an event tHeJ
would object.
O They would object to such an amendment a.
Yes, Sir
adopted comforting the blacks the night OF suffrage
would that your opinion lead 70 scenes OF violence or
breaches Of the peace between the Two races IN ~.
,Ft . love IL l.
between the two races cannot pretend TO say 70 what
extent it would go but that won d be the result
O. Are You Acquainted with the proposed amendment
now pending IN the Senate Of the United Staiest n
No Sir. | am not; / scarcely ever read
A paper. Che substance Of the proposed amend
ment was here explained 90 the witness by
Mr. Conkine) SO far as can see DO not ib!aE hat
the State OF Virginia would object 70 il.
O. Would she consent under any circumstances 20
allow the black people 70 vote even she were Ia gain
a larger number Of Representatives In Congress- A.
That would depend upon her interests II she bad The
right Of determining that DO not why she would
object IL were 10 her interest 10 admit these people
10 vote that might overrue any other objection That
she had 10 II.
O What, in your opinion. would be the practical
result Do yOu think that Virginia would consent To
allow the negro to voter A. think that at present
she would accept the smaller representation DO not
know what the future may develop; II 1t should 20
plain TO her that these persons will vote properly and
understandingy she might admit them 10 vote.
By Mr.. Blow q Do you not think II would turn "A
good deal in the cotton States upon the value ~ the ia
Dor OF the black people upon tie amount which they
produce A In good many states IN The south and IN
good many counties In Virginia. II the black people
were allowed to vote il would, think exclude proper
representation that Is proper intelligent people would
not be elected and rather than suffer that injury they
would not let them vote al all.
o. Do YOU not think that the question as 90 whether
any Southern State would allow the col0rod people the
right OF suffrage IN order 10 increase representation
would depend good deal the amount which the col
orcd people might contribute to the wealth Of the State
In order secure two things Irst the larger repre-cn
iatioD and second, the influence desired from those
persons voting A. think they wond determine The
question more in reference 10 their opinion 10 the
manner in which those votes would be exercised,
whether they consider those people qualified to vote.
my opinion Is that at this time they cannot vote IL
telgeutly and that giving them the right Of suffrage
would open the door 10 good deal OF demagoguism,
and lead TO embarrassmens in various ways. what the
future may prove. how intelligent they may become,
with what eyes they may look upon the interests Of the
State in which they may reside cannot say more than
you can.
Q. Is there any sympathy felt in the South with
schemes Of emigration 10 Me1icOf a. believe that
the masses OF the people have not any sympathy with
them; there are individuals who think that their In
terests would be benefited and, indeed, that their
prospects at home poor now that Is like losing
their lives 10 remain; that feeling stronger at the
frat cessation Of hosties than Is at this time It
seems 20 be subsiding
BY Mr. Uoward-Q. will put one question TO you
TO which you may respond or not, ~ you please.
wish 10 inquire whether you had any knowledge. while
you were In command at Richmond, Of the cruetios
practced toward the Union prisoners at Libby Pflson
and on Belle Islef a. never knew that any cruelty
was practiced and have reason 20 believe that II
practiced; 1 can believe. and have reason 10 be
eye that pryatons may have been experienced by the
prisoners because know that provisions and shelter
could not be provided for them.
q Were you not aware that the prisoners were dying
from cold and starvation was not.
Mr.. Uoward-I desire that yon will speak your mind
fully and freely on this subject; for II 10 useless to
cea from you the fact that there TO have been
created bad feeling in the hearts Of the people at the
A.. 10 yptA InaN had mt Fal
the prisoners except those that were captured on
the field Of battle. whom II was then my business 20
send to Richmond 20 the proper officer, who was then
the Provost Marshal General in regard to their dis.
pOstiOn afterWard had no CONTROL | never gave