The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1891-07-10
90.
AN OLD PAPER.
East Carroll Banner.

East Carroll Banner.
| Last Monday, while out on
Bunch'S Bend, Capt. G. d. Benton
was showing US acopy of the Daily
Mail, dated May 10, 1865, publish
ed at Montgomery, Ala. 1t con-
lained an account Of the death of
j. Wilkes Booth, who was shot in
an attempt 10 capture him; and
also The capture Of his accomplice,
Harold. 1t also contained an ac-
count of Tue surrender OF Gems.
Joe Johnston and Dick Taylor, the
capture of jefferson Davis and
other matters OF national impor.
lance, which will 20 down TO his
tory.
Among other things, it contain
ed the views of Gen. Lee on States
Rights, which, although twenty six
years old, is well worth the space
we give them. Ii read as follows ::
''NEw YORK, April 90.
"The Herdld's Richmond cores
pondent recOunts an interview he
had with Gen. Lee. He called on
him to obi am his political views in
order to lay them before the pub
lie.
On informing Gen. Lee of his OBJ
ject, the latter said: | am parol-
ed prisoner, aud | have never beer
politician, and | know but little
of political lrade-I am a soldier.
He further said he was ready to
make any sacrifice or perform any
honorable act that would tend to
a resi- Grafton Of peace and equality
TO the country.
He said he was believer in
States rights. He had considered
allegiance due primarily to his ma
tive State. He had opposed seces-
sion, but when his State went out
he considered it his duty 10 go
with ii. When he accepted COM
mand under the rebel Government
he considered he was serving his
State. He regarded his surrender
of the military of no political sig
nfcance That it was not sur
render of the doctrine of States
rights. When The South was Who'll
ly subdued, only y would The Goc-
trine of States rights be surrender
ed. The surrender of single army
was only military necessity.
When The South surrenders all its
forces, and returns TO the Union,
then only will she surrender her
favorile doctrine OF secession.
That her principles will then be
settled by military power.
On the question of States SOW
ereignty, lie concludes there exists
a casus bell. The question was
left unsettled in the conventions
forming the organic law, and he
war is destined TO settle il !; there
fore the war raised on this issue
cannot be called treason. If the
South is forced to submit it Of
course can only be looked upon as
a triumph of Federal power over
} States rights, and the forced anni-
, hilation of the latter.
The South has not been and is
not yet prepared TO beg for terms,
but is ready to accept fair and hon
: orable terms, their own political
U views being considered.
e As to slavery, they consider it
dead, and the best men have long
been anxious 10 do away with it,.
e He expressed the opinion that
should arbitrary, vindictive or
revengeful policies be attempted
the end was not yet.
He remarked that the assassina-
= ton of the President was crime
; beyond execration. 1t would not
: be approved by any good man
, from any considerable motive.
J As to terms of peace, TO The sug-
, sestlon that political leaders only
be held to strict accountability,
he asked would that be just.
What has MIR. Davis done moro
than any other Southerners, that
he should be punished? 1t is true
he occupied a prominent position
as the agent of the whole people,
but that has made him no more or
less rebel than the rest. His acts
were the acts of the whole people,
and the acts of the whole people
we're his acts. He is not account
able for the commencement of the
war. On the contrary, he was one
of the last 10 give in his adhesion
TO the secession movement, but
strenously opposed it from The out
set. and portrayed its ruinous con-
sequences by speeches and writ
/ ipu-