The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1868-09-18

me some expressions Of political opin
IONS"
"Why, General, hope you entertain
no opinion upon public matters which
you would to concealf"
"None in the world, sir; but at this
time do not consider it either good pol
icy or part of my duty to take any
public part in political matters, and !
am decidedly averse in my feelings to
newspaper notoriety."
"But, sir, Tennessee seems to be in a
very unsettled condition, and the peo-
pie of the North are anxious to know the
sentiments of your people, and especial
ly Of the representative men of the
State; whether conflict will cnsuc;
and if it does, what your course, IS lead
ers among your people, will be-"
"First, then, | do not claim to be a
representative man. l have taken no
part in political matters since the close
ofthe war; have not written letter on
the subject or made speech, although
frequently invited to do SO. Your peo-
! pie up North do not understand the very
peculiar condition Of affairs in Tennes-
see, and, therefore, any expression from
men who were identified with the rebel
lion is liable to BIO misunderstood, even
by the best meaning people; aud when
they are taken in connection with the
violent and foolish speeches of some of
our people, we are looked upon as very
bad fellows. For myself l desire and
intend to live in this country, and l de-
sire to live in peace. am willing to
sacrifice every thing, save honor to
live in peace and order. But | believe
in war in self-defense and in defense of
honor. From life long acquaintance
with the people of Tennessee, | believe
they think and feel as l do. l regard
the present State government as uncon-
stitutional, and it certainly is odious to
the people. and bitterly oppressive and
proscriptive; yet | am willing to submit
for a time to the laws, but not to per-
sonal wrongs. Our Southern people
will not resist any thing but outrages.
If the militia are called out, they will be
men who cannot, or will not make liv-
ing at any kind of labor, and accept the
thirteen dollars per month because it will
be easily gotten. With muskets in their
hands, and under the present law, which
prohibits their indictment for any act
done under orders of their officers, and
upon Governor Brownlow's proclama-
ton authorizing them to shoot down the
Kuklux wherever they find them, they
will only have to call man Kdklux to
have the authority of law to kill; and
this will be the consequence of their be-
ing called out. When this occurs
when these fellows commence their out
rages--they will be resisted, and resist
ed bitterly, although | think these
troubles will be confined in the localities
in which the outrages are committed,
and upon the persons perpetrating them.
If Federal troops were stationed
throughout the country, there would be
no trouble; their officers arc gentlemen,
from Gen. Grant or Thomas, down; so
far as / can judge them.
'"The State government is oppressive,
and | am not willing to submit to the
state of affairs if it continue in the flu
turc. If the people had known that this
fate awaited them, they would not have
surrendered. Their homes are burned,
their women ravished, the men assassin
ated, and when any of the guilty parties
arc sentenced to the penitentiary they
are at once pardoned by Gov. Brown
low. This state of things cannot last
and the peace of the country continue"
General, what are your views on
the subject of negro sufrageW
81 am opposed to it, and would be in
favor of DISTINGUISHING them at once. |
would give them the privilege if they
were found, after time, to be intelli-
gent and worthy of it. believe in CIV
ing to the negro all personal and civil
rights, and protecting him in them"
General, was you what is called an
original secessionist 7" l asked.
81 was not, sir. / opposed secession,
and purely upon the ground that | loved
the Government. | made speeches
against secession, and did all could to
avert the struggle, but when it came l
took the side of my people, and do not
regret it. At this time | can not say
that love the Government as | once
did, but if it were in danger, would
give to its aid any ability may pos
sess."
Governor Harris | found to be one of
the most entertaining and captivating
gentlemen have met in great while.
In stature he is little over the medium
size, is fifty years of age, has dark
brown hair, considerably bald, beauti-
full keen black eye. rather handsome