The age-herald., 1901-08-14

James Galloway in Atlanta Journal.
 The constitutional convention assembled in Richmond, struggling alike with the Alabama convention. over the suffrage problem. recalls to mind Gen. R. B. Lee before the reconstruction committee in 1s6S
 Before the committee Questioner How ard asked From what you have ob- served among what we call successionists, is 1t your opinion that they are friendly toward the government of the United States and that they will cooperate to sustain and uphold the government for the future?"
 Answer-"I believe that they entirely acquiesce in the government of the Uni ted States, and they are for cooperating with President Johnson in his policy"
 o.-'Tn his policy in regard to what?'
 A.-"Tis policy in regard to the resto- ration of the whole country. I have heard persons with whom I've conversed ex- press great confidence in the wisdom of his great restoration, and they seem to look forward to 1t as a hope of restora- tion."
 Here the reader should notice the word restoration. Lincoln never used the word reconstruction" It was restoration" General Lee had in his mind the restora- ton as Johnson did He did not suspect what was in store to prevent restoration and to put the south under reconstruc- ton, which meant military rule, carpet bag Governors and negro legislatures-a long series of years of destruction and humiliation, a long setback to restora- tion. Thad Stevens was the father of the plan of reconstruction adopted.
 Q.-"How do the people of Virginia, se- cessionists men particularly, feel toward the freedmen2"
 A.-"Every one with whom I associate express the kindliest feeling toward the freedmen. They wish to see them get on in the world, and particularly to take up some occupation for living and turn their heads to some work. know that farmers make efforts to induce them to engage for the year at regular wages"
 Q.-"Are you aware of the existence Of any combination among the whites to keep down the wages of the blacks?"
 AT am not"
 o.-"How do they feel In regard to the education of the blacks?"
 A.-"The people have exhibited a will ingness that blacks should be educated, and express the opinion that it would be better for both races"
 O.-"Has the colored race generally as great love of money and property as the white racer
 AT do not think 1t has. The blacks look more to the present time than to the future"
 Q.-"Do you not frequently hear in your intercourse in Virginia expressions of hope that a foreign war may occur so that Southerners could avail themselves of the opportunity to rebel against the govern ment?"
 Al have not. On the contrary, they express the hope that the country may not be led into a war;
 Q.-"In such an event, do you think that class of people whom I call seces- sionists would join the common enemy?"
 Art depends upon the feelings of the individual"
 Q-"What in such event might be your choice?''
 AT have no disposition now to do it, and I never have had
 uQestion by MT. Blow-"General, you do not feel down there that while you ac- cept the result, we are as generous as we ought to be under the circumstances?'
 Answer-"They think the North can af- ford to be generous"
 Q.-"That is the feeling down there?"
 A-"Yes, and they think it is the best policy-those who reflect upon the subject and are able to judge"
 Here is General Lee advocating before that committee a generous policy-a re- storation policy. That same committee recommended a violent, humiliating, re- construction policy-rather the "black