Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-11-29

The testimony Of Gen. Grant, given before
the judiciary Committee last summer, is
published. The generals views on Recon
struction at that time, may be inferred from
the following portion of has testimony,
which indeed contains the substance Of the
whole
recollect the North Carolina proclama-
ton, which Was the first one giving a State
government Was present VIXEN it was
read, ard 1t was in the direction I wanted.
! was anxious to see temporary government
there, and did not want 10 see anarchy
Question. Did you give any opinion in
favor Of that proposition?
Answer. ! did not give any opinion against
it. was in favor of that or anything else
which looked to civil government, until
Congress could meet and establish govern
ments there. dld not want al chaos left
there, and no form OF civil government
whatever; | was not in favor of anything
or oTTose1 to anything particularly. | was
simply IN favor OF having q government
there. | did not pretend TO give my judy
ment as to what it should be. [ was per-
fectly willing TO leave it to the civil depart
ment. asked no person what | should do
IN my duties. ! was willing 10 take all the
responsibility and did not give my views as
to what the civil branch Of the government
should do.
BY Mr.. Thomas.
Question. You have stated your opinion
as to the rights and privileges Of Gen. Lee
and his soldiers. did You mean 20 include
any political rights?
Answer. | have cxTlaIred that did not
There was no difircnce Of opinion On this
point letween President johnson and me,
but the Was as TO whether the parole gave
them auy privilege or rights.
By Mr.. EldrIdgc.
Question. lie claimio. tbai it did not
and you that it did?
Answer. He claiming that the time must
come when they could be tried and punish
cd, and ! claiming that the time would Mt
come, kept by violation of their parole.
claimed that gave them Do political priyi-
leges, hut that | had the riglt as military
commander 10 exchange terms OF surrender F.
which would protect the live # the prison
tbs. believe that It is conceded by every
body that ! had that right know that NJ.
Lincoln conceded it at the lime.
By Mr. Boutwell,
Question. How recent, mas tie Presi- /
dent expressed to you the opinion thar Gen
Lee OF others who had the benefit OF pa |
role should Re tried and puuished2
Answer. Not since about two years
Question. Have you at any time heard
the President make any 7, mark m reference
to the admission Of mem ers of Congress
from the rebel States into either II use?
Answer. | cannot say positively WhatI
have heard him say on thar subject have
heard him say as much, Isr:aps, IN hls pub
lished speeches last sululu,r ~ | ever heard
him say al all upon thar -uhiect have
heard him say q tiink | ave heard hin
twice In his spoeclc-) thar tho North car
ried the elections by mea.hers enough 10
give them, with the Souti,rn members.
majority, why would they not be the Clu
gress Of the United State / have heard
him say that several time
By Mr.. " illiams.
Question. " hen You saw ths NYrth vou
mean tie Democratic parry ii the North. or
in other words, the party ay,ring has PolI-
cy?
Answer. | mean if a., North ear led
enough members in favor % the admission
of the South. | did not hear him say that
be would recognize them a. Congress
merely heard him ask the question. " why
would they not be the Congress p heard
him say that IN one or two speeches-do not
recollect where.
By Mr.. Boutwell,.
Question. Have you head him make a
remark kindred to that elsewhere?
Answer Yes, | have heard him say that
aslde from his speeches, IN conversation
cannot say Just when. Il was robably
about that same time.
In relation 10 the North Carolina procla-
nation, Gen. Giant SAID he had fret heard
it read before the President and the Secre-
tsry of War, and testified as follows
do not think expressed any opinion on /
it at the time. ] looked upon 1t as slmuly A
temporary measure, until Congress should
meet and settle the whole question, and that !
it did not make much difference how il was
done, so that there was form of govern I
ment there. think was present at the Z
time, by an invitation Of either the Presi- t
dent or the Secretary Of War | suppose | !
was free 10 express my views. | suppose
the object was that l should express my
views if could suggest any change. 1 a
don't think was asked my views. l know /
that II had been asked the question would t
have assented TO that or almost anything else {
that would have given stable government
here. t