Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-06-29

Interview Of n Southern Etiftor
p with Hon. -Thaddeus stevens.
From the Union Springs (Mim.) Timcs.l /
visited LANCASTER, and in the forenoon OF
Friday, the 23d inst, obtained an audience.
Mr.. Stevens was in bis fine library, quite
feeble physically, but intellectually more
vigorous. prompt, and lucid than Is usual In
men seyenty-four years old. He is tall, and
has the bones of large man, but is now
yery thin in flesh. The face and beard are
both good-the eyes uncertain; the mouth,
with its thin, closed lips, and the strong jaw,
tells the secret Of the bitterness and love of
dsspotic power and revenge that fills his
entering the room, by door which gave me
a full view of the man, there was something
30 like smile on his face, that thought
his heart and his speeches, his conscience
and his words, were not in harmony. This
soon fitted, and from that time to the close
Of the interiew, the whole countenance-
from the grand arched forehead to the hard
chin-was the very ideal of cold, pitiless
intellect. told him who was, the views
entertained, and requested that he would
say nothing to me which he desired kept
secret. As he had been talking great deal
and was quite exhausted, l was forced to
question rapidly and confine myself to lead
ing topics. The most of the conversation
was heard by gentleman who called with
me, and who can youch for its correctness,
which is almost verbal.
/ told him / had come to hear from him,
whom l regarded as the great head and mas
ter of the party, just what his party deman-
ded 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 to ask his Interpretation of the presents
measures of reconstruction. Then, prefac-
ing the question with the REMARK that it was
an indelicate one to put to gentleman, l
| asked: . ..'-. ....
'Do you pursue your harsh policy as a
party measure for the purpose of intimida.
ton z" lilo.
He answered at once, II do nothing mere
ly for party purposes. regard my pro-
posed action as equitable, and resting upon
principles of law"
"But, MIR. Stevens, by what provision. Of
the Constitution are you warranted in per-
| verting war made to resolve doubtful
question, and the right itself to make which
was doubtful, into an excuse for going be-
| yond its purposes, in treating the defeated
30 harshly as you propose 7" --..
"The Constitution does not enter into the
question-has nothing to do with it at all.
You made an issue of war. The North
whether wisely or unwisely it is no use now
to inGuire-accepted the issue and conquered
| you. By thousand acts which some of my
party seem now to forget, the Government
recognized you as belligerent nation, and
your defeat left you no rights under the
Constitution, nor any claim to be treated by
its provisions. While you were belligerents
l regar ded you also as great criminals, who
had forfeited all rights of person as well as
of property. propose to 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,
regard it as matter of the simplest equity
to punish you by fines at leas. sufficient to
indemnify loyal men for the damage sus-
tanned at your hands," .. --..
"Will you persist in your confscation
measures, Mr.. Stevens? Will you be satisfied
with no less 2"
mo, sir. Anything less would be unjust
to those wronged by your crime"
"Will you be able to bring your party tc
your support 2"
secure the passage of the military bill, but
my strength and ability to pushing on this
measure of justice"
swell, Mr. Stevens, there are good mer
in the South, honest men, who took an oatl
of loyalty to the United States Government
in good faith, upon the assurance that they
would be treated as citizens. The unsettled
condition ofpolitics bears hardly upon them
Lands are valueless, and industry is dis
coursgcd. If you-and say you, becaus,
you are your party-intend to perfect th
proposed confscation, do it quickly. d.
not torment the South by delay and decep
ton. Bring Wilson home, and don't le
him tell any more lies to honest people. LIE
the issue be distinct and well understood
You are consistent and have been frank a
least"
: Mr. Stevens now complained of beip,
oeer-worked. begged him to answer on
or two more questions. ..... a..
: "Would you be pleased to see organized
in Alabama a government similar to that o
Tennessee under such men as Brownlow,
few of which am sorry to say We hav
among US, Milt. Saffold for instance 2"
He replied hesitatingly: at is not mat
: ter of men at all it would depend upo
circumstances and principles. We woul
inquire whether you had State, and"
here interrupted, feeling that he wa
: dodging, and asked the following question
: Suppose, sir, Alabama should organize
: government, enfranchising the negro, pre-
viding for his education and giving ampl
guarantees for his protection before tn
courts and in society, and under that go,
ernment should send good men, who coul
: take the test OATH to Congress, would 20
p admit her to representation Z"
Without a moments pause, he answere
with strong emphasis, "No, sir" and thr
closed the interview.