The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-11-26

sional or Military Governors. 1 looked
upon them as equally provisional.
By Mr.. Thomas Question - You
have stated your opinion Ms TO the
his soldiers. Did you mean that to ex-
clude any political rightsS Answer-I
have explained that 1 did not There
was no difference of opinion on this
point between President Johnson and
me, but there was as to whether the
parole gave them any privileges or
rights.
By Mr.. Eldrldge = Question = He
claiming that 1t did not, and you that It
did? Answer-He claiming that the
time must come when they could be
tried and punished, and I claiming
that the time would not come, except
by a violation of their parole. claim
ed that gave them no political priVi-
legs, but that had the right as mili-
tAry commander to arrange terms OF
surrender, which would protect the
lives ofthose prisoners. L believe that
1t is conceded by everybody that I had
that right. 1 know that Mr.. Lincoln
conceded 1t at the time.
By Mr.. Boutwell-Question-How
recently has the President expressed
to you the opinion that General Lee, or
others who had the benefit of the pa
role, should be tried and punished.
Answer-Not since about two years.
Question-Havs you at any time
heard ;the President make any remark
iu reference to the admission of MEM
bers of Congress from rebel States into
either House. Answer-I cannot say
positively what have heard him say
ON that subject. have heard him say
as much, perhaps, in his published
speeches last summer as / ever heard
him say at all upon that subject. 1 have
I'D anA Il thNnkr haVa
heard him say twice, in his speeches,
that ifthe North carried the elections
by members enough to give them with
the Southern members a majority, why
would they not be the Congress of the
United States. have heard him say
that several times.
By Mr.. Williams-Question
you say ''the North" you mean the
Democratic party OF the North, or in
other words the party favoring hls
policyR Answer-I mean IL the North
carried enough members in favor OF the
admission OF the South. L did not hear
him say he would recognize them as a
Congress. merely heard him ask the
question, "Why would they not be the
Congress 2" heard him say that In
one or two speeches. Do moi recoliect
By Mr.. Observation-Disclosures
you heard him make remark kindred
to that elsewhere2 Answer-Yes. 1
have heard him say that aside from his
speeches in conversation. Cannot say
just when. 1t was probably about that
same time.
Question-Have you heard him at
any time make any remark or sugges-
ton concerning the legality OF Congress
with the Southern members excluded
Answer-He alluded to that subject
frequently on his tour to Chicago and
back last summer. His speeches were
generally reported with considerable
accuracy. Cannot reCOllect what ne
said except in general terms; but read
his speeches at the time and they were
reported with considerable accuracy.
/ do not recollect having heard him say
anything private on that subject spe-
cially. / never heard him allude totbe
Executive Departmental the Govern
ment, never heard him make any re-
mark looking to Il controversy between
tue Executive and Congress.
BY Mr.. Marshall. Question-1under
stand you TO say that you were anxious
at the close of the WAR that civil govern
ments should be established in some
form, and you SO advised the President
Answer-I so stated frequently in his
presence, but advised no particular
form OF proceeding.
Question-Were you present when the
was AOAA
in the Cabinet? Answer-I would not
be certain, but am OF opinion that the
first time heard 1t read WAS in the pres
ence of the President and the Secretary
of War only.
Questionable you assent to that
plan2 Answer-I did not dlssent.from
il. 1t was a civil matter, and although
1 was anxious to have something done,
[ did not intend to dictate Il plan. do
not think l expressed any opinion
about that at the time. looked upon
it MS simply temporary measure un-
til Congress should meet and settle the
whole question, and that II did not
make much difference how IL was done
SO that there WIS a form OF govern
ment there. L think 1 was present at the
time by Invitation ,of either the Presi-
dent or Secretary of War. suppose
was free to express my views. sup
pose the object was that l should ex-
press my views, IL L could suggest any
change. l do not think i WAS asked
my views. / know that II 1 had been
asked the question L would have AS
sented TO that or almost anything else
that would have given stable govern
ment there. In reference TO the opinion
1 gave the President on the amnesty
proclamation I think 1 have testiti-
ed pretty fully. 1 told the Presi-
dent 1 disagreed with him on the
clauses excluding volunteer Generals,
and as TO the twenty thousand dollar
clause. do not say anything as to the
rest, whether It was too lenient r too
stringent. can state what thought
about 1t, but not what 1 said. 1 know
that Immediately after the close OF the
there was very fine feeling
in the South, and 1 thought
we ought to take advantage of IL as
soon as possible. But since that there
has been an evident change there.
may have expressed my Views TO the
President: lido not recollect particu-
Iarly. / do not suppose that there were
any persons engaged in that c0nHulta'
ton who thought Of what was being
done at that time as being lasting, any
longer than until Congress would meet,
and either ratify that or establish some
other form OF government. know II
never crossed my mind that what was
being done WAS anything more than
understood this to be the
view OF the President, aud everybody
else. did not know of any difference
of opinion on the subject. He was
very anxious to have Congress rattfy
his views. Mr.. Lincoln, prior to his
had inaugurHted policy
intended to restore those govern menls'
1 was present twice before his murder
when n plan was read. The plan adopt
ed by Mr. johnson was substantially
the plan which had been inaugurated
by Mr.. Lincoln as the basis for his
future action. 1 do not know that 1t
was VeTbdtfHI the same. 1 think the
very paper which heard read twice
while Mr.. Lincoln vas President was
the one which was carried right
Question-what paper was that An
North Carolina proclRma-
tIon.
ouestion-You understood that Mr..
Lincoln's plan was temporary, to be