The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-06-22
Intcrvlew with old Th.d.


Mr.. Drake, one Of the editors of tho Jrrior
springs Times who is now travelling IN tho
northern States, had an interview a few DAYS
since with Thaddeus Stevens Mt his home
We copy:
/ visited Lancaster, aud obtained an ,pdi.
ence. Radicals have good deal 10 saw about
the close relationship some OF tho former
slaves bear 70 their masters and their masters,
friends. They tell southern people that mum.
pe's 1inohs their serNiie class are too yellow TO
be white, and too white to be black. They
must stop this. 1t il horribly unkind TO their
great leader and master. In the city of Ian.
caster, Penn, in the godly North nigh unto
the pure city Of Philadelphia, Thaddeus Ste
vens has for years lived in open adultery with
n mulatto woman whom he seduced from her
husband, ull-blooded negro. This mulatto
manages his households both in Lancaster
ana at washington, receives or rejects his
visitors at will, speaks of Mr.. Stevens and
herself as eve and in all things comforts
herself as If she enjoyed the rights of lawful
wife.
told him / had come to hear from him.
whom regarded as the great head and master
OF his party, just what his party demanded
and where their demands would stop upon
what terms and at what probable time his
party would recognize the southern States as
equal members OF the Government, and 10 ask
his Interpretation OF the present measure of
reconstruction. Then preiacing the question
win the remark that IL was an indicate one
10 put 10 gentleman, i asked:
DO you pursue your harsh policy rs a party
measure for the purpose of intimidation ~
lie answered at once: :" do nothing merely
for party purposes. l regard my proposed
action as equitable, and resting upon princi-
pies of law
but, Mr.. Stevens, by what provision of the
Constitution are you warranted in pervertng
war made to resolve a doubtful question
and the right itself 10 make which was doubt
ful, into an excuse for going beyond its pur.
Hpfn al har IL.
you propose
The Constitution does not enter into the
question-has nothing 10 do with il at all.
Gou made an issue of war. The North
whether wisely or unwiscly il is no use now
TO inquire-accepted the issue and conquered
you. BY thousand acts, which some of nv
party seem now TO forget, the Government
recognized you rs n bellgeTent nation, and
your defeat left you no rights under the Con.
stitution nor any claim TO be treated by its
provisions. While you were belliSerenis, L
regarded You also us great criminals, who had
forfeited all rights Of person as well rs pro.
pcrty. propose 10 deal with you entirely by
the laws of war, and though not caring to
have those laws executed TO the full extent of
hanging the poor devils, l regard it as a mat
ter Of the simplest equity to punish yvu by
fines at least sufficient TO indemnify loyal men
Tor the damage sustained 1T Your hands"
Will you persist in your coniisc1tion mea-
sure, Mr.. Steyens-will you be satisfied with
no less2''
those wronged by your crime
" Will you be able 10 bring your party to
your suppOrt?'
- do not know-we had n hard work to Sc
cure the passage of the military bill-but |
shall take care of myself and devote all of my
strength and ability on this measure of Jus
tiCe'
well, Mr.. Stevens, there are good men in
the South-hOnest men. who took an oath of
loyalty 10 the United States Government in
good faith, upon the assurance that they
would be treated rs citizens. The unsettled
condition of politics bears hardly upon them.
Lands are valucless, and industry u discOu-
ragged. If you--aud l say you because You
are your party-intend TO perfect the proposed
Confscation, do IL quickly. Do not torment
the South by delay and deception. Bring
Wilson home, and don't let him tell any more
lies to honest people. Let the issue be distinct
and well understood. Iou are consistent, and
have been frank, II least
Mr.. =. now complained of being over
worked. | begged him 10 answer one or two
more questions.
Would you be pleased TO see organized in
Alabama government similar to that of Ten
neSSee, under such men rs Brownlow, few of
which l am sorry TO say we have among us
Milt. Stafford for instancc?'
He replied hesitatingly: 1t is not q matter
of men at all; it would depend upon circum-
stances and principles. We would inquire
whether you had State, aud
| here interrupted, feeling that he was
lodging, and asked the following question:
suppose, sir, Alabama should organize a
enirauchisimS the negro, proVi-
ding for his education, and giving ample
guarantees for his protection before the courts
and in society, and under that government
should send good men, who could take the
: test oath,' TO Congress, would you admit her
to representation p
Without moments pause he ans wcrcd
with strong emphasis: " No. sir ana thus
closed the interview