Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-06-28
THADDEUs STEVENS,
An Interview of a Southern EditOT.-He e
explains himself on COnfiscation
LIron u. Caioa lgpring. 10 Tim,..l

/
explains himself on COnfscation
From the Union Spriays Hiss.) Tjmes.l
| | visited Lancaster and in the forenoon
of Friday, the 23d inst, obtained an aud
ience Mr.. Stevens was in his fine library
quite feeble physically, but intellectually
more vigorous, prompt, and lucid than is
usual 10 men seventy four years old. He is
! tall, and has the bones of large man, but
is now very 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 despotic power and revenge that
fills his heart and keeps the man alive
! Upon first entering the room, bv door
which gave me a full view Of the man. there
was something so like a 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 interview, the whole
contamination the grand arched fore
head 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 bad been talking
a great deal and was quite exhausted, | was
forced to question rapidly and cOnhne my
self to leading topics The most Of the con
Versation was heard by a gentleman who
called with me, and who can vonch f1r It's
correctness, which is almost vcrjal
| told him had come TO hear from him
whom | regarded as the great head and mas
ter of the party Just what his party dcman-
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 present
measures ofreconstruction. Then, prefacing
the question with the remark that it was au
indicate one to put TO gentleman, | asked
DO you pursue your harsh policy as a
party measure for the purpose of intimida-
ton"
He answered at once, Il do nothing
merely for party purposes | regard my
proposed action as equitable. aud resting
upon principles of law.
But, Mr.. Stevens, by what provision of
the Constitution are you warranted in per
vertlng war made to resolve a doubtful
question, aud the right itself to make which
was doubtful, into an excuse for going be-
yond Its purposes, in treating the defeated
so harshly as you propose?
The Constitution docs not enter into the
questlon-has nothing to do with IL al all.
You made an issue Of war. The North
whether wisely or unwisely it Is no use now
to inquire accepted the issue aud conquer
ed you. BY a thousand acts which some of
my party seem now to forget, the Govern
meut recognized you as bellgerent nation.
and your defeat left you no rights under
the Constitution, nor any claim 10 be treated
by Its provisions. While you were heliigpr-
ents / regarded you also as great criminal,
who had forfeited all rights of persons as
well as of property. | 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, |
regard it as a matter of the simplest equity
to punish you by fines at least sufficient to
indemnify loyal men for the damage sustain
ed at your hands.
win you persist in your confsoation
measures, Mr. Stevens? VIII you be satisfied
with no leSs?'
Ne, sir. Anything less would be unjust
to those wronged by your crime.
Will you be able to bring your party to
your support
81 do not know. We had a hard work to
secure the passage Of the military bill, but
| shall take care Of myself to devote all OF
my strength and ability to pushing on this
measure Of justice.
well, Mr. Stevens, there are good men
in the South, honest men, who took an oath
ofloyalty to the United States Government
in good faith, upon the assurance that they
would be treated as citizens. The unsettled
condition ofpolitics bears hardley upon them.
Lands are yalueless, and industry is discoura-
gcd. If yOu-and | say you, because you
or.a IL.
posed conhscation, do it 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 is
sue be distinct and well understood You
are consistent and have been frank at lcast?'
Mr.. Stevens now complained of being
overworked. begged him to answer one
or two more questions.
Would you be pleased to see organized
in Alabama a government similar to that of
Tennessee under such men as Brownow
few Of which ! am sorry to say we have
among us, Milt Saffod for instaccc?'
He replied hesitatingly 1t Is not
matter of men at all; it would depend upon
circumstances and principles We would
inquire whether you had a State, and
| here interrupted, feeling that he was
lodging, and asked the following question
Suppose, sir Alabama should organize
a government enfranchising the negro, pro-
viding for his education and giving ample
guarantees for his protection before the
courts and in society, and under that govern
mems should send good men, who could
take the test oath, to Congress, would you
admit her to representation"
Without moment, s pause, he answered
with strong emphasis, No, sir, and thus
closed the interview.