The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-06-18

ALEAF OF UNWRITTEN HISTORY.
A MOST REMARKABLE INCIDENT AND
INTERVIEW.

INTERVIEW.
| During the investigation in Rich
mond, Virginia, in Judge Hughes
court last week, of the suit brought
by the United States against ex
Governor Smith, Governor Henr,
Nv. Thomas, in the course, of his
testimony, after answering, some
questions bearing upon the. exact
date Of some minor facts in the Sc.
ries of transactions, said, with some
degree of hesitation, that he was moi
quite certain Of its legality as .evi
dence, but if desired lie could relate
a most remarkable incident and in.
terview which had an importan,
bearing upon the question just be,
fore unier discussion-viz; for how
long time after, the evacuation
might Governor Smith be properly
considered as exercising the powers
of Governor of the de .facto govern
ment of Virginia. After some little
conversation between the opposing
counsel and the court, the witness
was requested to, proceed, which he
did substantially as follows:
"On the occasion Of the famous
visit of President Lincoln TO Rich,
mond, which took place after The
evacuation some time in April,
1855, the citizens held a public
meeting and passed resolutions ex /.
pressing their acceptance in good
faith of the results of The war, and
their purpose to return 10 their allie
glance and the discharge of civil
duties, The committee appointed
to present these resolutions 10 the
President consisted, as | now re.
member, Of Judge Campbell General
Joseph R. Anderson Mr. Gustavus
A. Myers, Mr.. David !. Burr, myself,
and perhaps others. as al 3jaa )
We called upon the President,
who received us very pleasantly,
and in the course of ,tlle general
conversation which sfotlowedsoa
nal presentation, ! remarked 10 Mr..
Lincoln that we stood greatly Ia
need ofsorgauized civil government
and / hoped he wouldssend Gpvcrnor
Pierpoi,t down to us as soon ms pos
sible. ] shall never forget the ex-
preston and action oftthe President
who at once, and with emphasis,
treplied, 81 shall do no SUCH thing,
siri Governor iPierpoint islnot stIe
Governor you or I want The gov.
erament that took Virgins out, sir
is the government that shouldabrins
her back. Governor Smith is ,lthe
head Of that government, and 1swant
that told game cock'' back here, sir,
with all his government about him.
/ shall constitute you, gentlemen, Of
the committee an embassy for the
purpose ofinviting your Governor
and government back to tile city,
and shall order General - Wet
eel I think it was) to give you pass
es through the lines with safe con-
duct for the Governor, members Of
the legislature and all the officials to
return here for the work of restoring
Virginia to the Union" 'F!a
The President did at once prepare
and issue this order, and we actually
| got our permits through the lines,
but before We could really start up
on our mission news came from
Washington, whittier the Presiden-
|tial party had returned, that this ac-
zion Of Mr.. Lincoln had been re-
yersed' BY The Cabinet. This Incl,
dent shows clearly what the head Of
tue Federal government thought oil
Governor Smiths official character
at a date certainly later than the
surrender" 20 ~ KS. 's'''2 =
Governor Thomas did not use The
expression, shat old game cock
while on the stand, but said he re-
membered the exact expression BY
which the President characterized
Governor Smith. and afterwards
when pressed BY his counsel pri
vately, gave the expression as above
I[yex in Petersburg Post. i. s.ag
! T77'-s - - Eae
COP, who il bis mercy giye,s
the flowers each, summer to his
world, leaves no life to be all winter,
but as He ssends raini on the JUS
land unjnst,o sotoefery one. sther,
comes some help init is mos