Des Arc citizen., April 14, 1866, Image 1

About Des Arc citizen. (Des Arc, Ark.) 1866-1867

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|yOXXTMiJ _ I»]S AEC, ARK., APRIL 14, 1866. NTJMliERa
fAXXCM
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Our Job Printing Department.
Wo have supplied ourselves with a good
assortment of Printing Material and are
ready to execute all kinds of Job Printing,
on reasonable terms.
We are prepared to print Pamphlets. Cata
logues, Posters, large or small, Cards, Ball
Tickets, Bill Heads, Blanks of every descrip
tion, for Clerks, Sheriffs, Justices of the
lO O O 2SL
A N I)
JOB OFFICE
IS WOW IN
OPERATION !
__ m f _
ALL KINDS OF
*
BL S
PRINTED ON
SHORT NOTICE
AID IX THE
AT THE
LOWEST Ht^A/rJESa
■ .
-it* 'ftj -it*R
p !VF US A CAT.L AND WE WILL GUAR
vJT antce entire satisfaction.
POE «Sr It ADDING.
"'M M. W'AHNKI!. A. I 11
WARNER & EDWARDS,
CAS SB DEALERS IX
mim sm wmm
Groceries and Provisions.
AX#0
R EtEIViSG a it $3 IORW ARDIIG
MERCHANTS,
Das Arc, Arkansas.
IIi 1II highest market price paid for Wheat,
- Dry Hides, and all ctouutry produce.
®£P“ Agents lor the sale of Monumenta.
Tombstones and ererv description of Stone
work. WARNER & EDWARDS.
Dos Arc, February 2P. 1S30 —Dm
BLAKENEi r STALLWORTH.
AM li o 1 e s a 1 ©
AND
RETAIL GROCERS,
Commission Merchants,
OlAERtli iGEifTS, & c.,
BUENA VISTA STREET,
Oes Arc, Arkansas.
\\TE ARE NOW RECEIVING OUR STOCK
W of GROCERIES, direct from New
Orleans and St. Louis, and will sell at the
lowest cash price, and buy country produce of
every kind. mar8
'mTshetterT
BLACKSMITH
AND
WAGON MAKER,
§c$ JUc,
Having fitted up my
shop. I can now be found at
the old stand, ready to do all
kinds of work in my line. ThoSe having
BLifK^VITIITYG OR W 4 GOV
WORM TO 15E DOSE,
Can be assured tliat T can, and will do it in
the best possible manner. marS
»RS. LASE & ISt R.VEY,
Ufsiskut i’hiisicians
— a v n—
SURGEONS,
Ol’t'JiR tlieir services to the citizens and
vicinity, in the various branches of their
I professions. Offlne at Burney & Bro's Drug
1 Store. mar8-ly
1! O. GILL, ,T. GILL,
G I L L & B R 0.,
Des AercG Ark.,
DEALERS IN
STAPLE and FANCY
| DRY GOODS,
(Ready-Made Clothing, Hats,
CAPS, HOOTS, SIIOHS,
| ' .
Hardware, Hollow Ware,
^ueensware, &«*.
I \ LSO, KEEP A FULL SUPPLY OF Pam
| 1A ily Groceries and PLANTATION
i SUPPLIES constantly on hand.
Will pay the highest market price for Cot
i ton, Dry Hides and Produce of all kinds.
L. L. CROSS’
PHO PH
ROOMS,
gmtUV' put ;fU'hiUisn£.
t Variety of I*IIOTOURAPBH€
A. VIElWSaiul AI.BOIS always
on Isanti. nrnss
mar8-lt L L- ,.L"
Ff R G
DEVALL’S BLUFF, ARK.
TTTiio WANTS A GOOD DRINK OF
W FINE LIQUOR!! ToM ia
now behind the counter oi the
•’ Bj££>T BAIiOOM
in the place, ready to hand out to all desiring
it, the Finest Liquors that the market affords.
No humbug ! Give Pom a call, and it }ou
1 love good things, you will be satisfied,
marl; bn FRANK GALLAGHER
THE SOUTHERN SITUATION.
I __
Gen. Lee s Testimony before the “ Re
construct ton” Committee of Fifteen—
What He Soys About the Feeling in
Virginia and the Soulh—A very In
teresting Chapter•
A Washington dispatch of the 27th says:
The Joint Committee of Fifteen reported to
; 'iav, to both houses of Congress, the evidence
j of Gen. Robert E. Lee, of his views on the
| Southern situation. The following is a full
■ extract of ail the important points. On Feb
ruary 17th he was sworn, and examined by
j Senator Howard, as follows ;
Question. Where is your present residence?
Answer. Lexington, Va.
Q. How long havo you been in Lexington ?
A. -Since 1st of October last—nearly five
months.
Q. Are you acquainted with the state of
feeling among what we call secessionists, at
present, in Virginia towards the Federal Gov
ernment ? A. 1 do not know, that I am;
have been living very retired, and have "had
but little communication with politicians;
know nothing more than from my own obser
vation and from such facts as havo come to my
knowledge,
Q. What is yottropinion from observations
ainong the secession people of that State of the
feeling toward the Government at this time?
A. So far as came to my knowledge I do not
know of a single person who either feels or
contemplates any resistance to the United
States Government, or indeed, any opposition
to it; no word has reached me to either pur
pose.
Q. From what you have observed is it your
opinion that they are friendly towards the
Government, and they .will co-operate to sus
tain and uphold it in future A. 1 believe
fhev certainly will acquiesce in the Gov
eminent, and, so far as I have heard any one
express an opinion, they are for co-operating
with President Johnson in his policy.
Q. In his policy in regard to the restora
tion of the whole country ? A. I have heard
persons with whom I lmro conversed express
great confidence in the wisdom of his policy
ofrestoration, and they seem to look forward
to it as a hope of restoration.
Q. IIow do they feel in regard to that. por
tion of the people of the .United States who
have been forward and zealous in the prosecu
tion of the war against the rebellion? A.
Well, l do not know ; I have heard nobody ex
press ap opinion in regard to it. As I said
before, l have not had much conversation with
politicians in the country, if there are any.
Every one seems to bo engaged in Iiis own
affairs, and endeavoring to sustain the civil
government of the State. I have heard no
expression of sentiment towards any particu
lar portion of the,country.
Q. IIow do they (secessionists) feel in re
gard to the payment of Federal debts ? A. 1
have never heard any one speak on the sub
ject. I suppose they ifiust expect to pay the
taxes levied by the Government. I have heard
them speak in reference to the payment ot
taxes and their efforts to raise money therefor,
which I suppose is for their share of the debt,
I have never heard any one speak in opposi
tion to the payment of taxes or of any resist
ance to their payment. Their whole effort
has been to try and raise money to pay tlu
taxes.
Q. From your opinion and knowledge ol
the people of -Virginia, would they, if the
question was left to them, repudiate and reject
that debt? A. I never heard any one say oi
speak on that subject, but from my knowledge
of the people, l believe that, they would be in
favor of the payment Of all just debts.
• Q. Do they, in your opinion, regard thai
as a just debt ? A. I do not know what theii
minion is on that subject; I have never heard
I any opinion expressed contrary to it. Indeed,
j us 1 said in the beginning, I have had very
! little discussion or intercourse with the peo
pie. I believe the people would pay the debts
they arc called on to pay. 1 say that from
i njy knowledge of the people generally.
y. Would they pay that debt or their por
(ion of it with as much alacrity as people or
dinarily pay their taxes to the Government'
A, I do not know that they would make any
distinction between the two taxes laid by tin
Government. So far as 1 know they are pre
pared to pay to the best of their ability. 1
never heard them make any distinction.
Q. What is the feeling of the people -of Vir
ginia toward the payment of the so-callec
Confederate debt ? A. I believe so far as my
opinion goes (I have no facts to go upon) thai
they would be willing to pay the Confederati
debt too.
Q. You think they would? A. I thiul
they would if they had the power and ability
to do so. I have never heard any pile in tin
State with whom 1 have conversed speak o:
repudiating any debt.
y. I suppose the Confederate debt is value
! less in the market in Virginia? A. Entirely
so far as I know. 1 believe the people lool
upon it as lost entirely. 1 never heard any
questions on the subject.
Q. Go you recollect when the Confederati
bonds were made payable9 A. I have t
general recollection that they were made pay
: able six months after a declaration ot peace,
y. Six months afler a declaration of peaci
between the United States and Confederati
j Government ? A. I think they ran tha
way.
Q. So that the bonds arc not. due yet by
tlicir tenns? A. I suppose unless it is con
sidercd that there is peace now they are not
due.
Q. IIow do the people of Virginia, the se
cessionists particularly, feel towards the frecd
mcn ? A. Every one with whom I have as
sociated express kind feelings towards the
frccdinen. They wish to ace them get on in
the world, and particularly to take up some
occupation for a living, and to turn their
hands to sqme werjf. I know that efforts have
been made among the farmers near where I
live to induce them to engage for the year at
regular wages.
Q. Do you think there is a willingness on
the part of tlicir former masters to give them
fair wages for their labor? A. Ihelieve.it
is so. The farmers generally prefer those
servants who have lived with them before. I
have heard them express their preference for
the men whom they knew, who had lived with
them before, and their wish to get them tore
turn to work. I am not aware of any combi
nation among the whites to keep clown the
wages of the blacks. I .have heard that in sev
eral counties the land owners have met in or
der to establish a uniform rate of wages, but I
never heard ofan.v combination to keep down
! wages or establish a rate which they did j»o.t
| think fair, l‘he means of paying wages in
\ irgiuia are very limited now, and there is a
: difference of opinion as to hoi.' much each per
• son is able to pay.
Q. How do they feel in regard to the edu
cation of the blacks; is there a general wil
lingness or unwillingness to have them educa
ted? A. Where I have been the people have
exhibited a willingness that the blacks should
1 be educated, and they express an opinion that
it would be bettor for the blacks and whites.
Q. General, you are very competent to
judge of-the capacity of black men to acquire
knowledge ; I want your opinion in that capac
ity as compared with the capacity of white
men? A. I do not know that I am particu
larly qualified to speak on that, subject, as you
seem to intimate, but I do not think bo is as
capable of acquiring knowledge as the white
man is. There are some more apt than others
I have known some to gain knowledge and
skill in their trades or professions. I have
had servants of my own who learned to reed
and write very well.
Q. Do they show a capacity to obtain a
knowledge of mathematics and the exact sci
ences? A. I have no knowledge on that
subject. I am merely acquainted with those
who have learned the common rudiments of
education.
Q. General, are you aware of any combina
tion among the blacks of Virginia, anywhere
in the State, having in view the disturbance
of the peace, or any improper or unlawful act?
A. I am not. I have seen no evidence of it,
and have heard of none. Wherever 1 have
been they have been quiet and orderly, but not
disposed to work, or rather not disposed to
any continuous engagement to work, hut just
i short jobs, to prpvide them with the immedi
ate means of subsistence,
Q. Has the colered race generally as much
love for money and property ^ the white
rahe ? A. 1 do not think it has. The blacks
whom I know look more to the present than
the future.
<J. Does that absence of a lust for money
arise more from the nature of the negro thap
i from his servile condition? A. Well, it may
1; be in some measure attributed to his former
condition They arc an amiable race; they
like their ease and comfort, and I think look
more to their present than their future con
dition.
Q. In the event of a war between the
United States and any foreign country, such as
England or France, if there should bo held
out to the secession portion of the people of
vlnrlntn ni- flip nlhfiv recently rebellious
Stales, an after prospect of gaining their in
dependence and striking off the Government
of the United States, is it or is not your opin
ion that they would avuil themselves of that
opportunity ? A. I cannot speak wiili any
certainty on that point. I do not know how
far they might be actuated by their feelings.
I have nothing whatever to base an opinion
upon. So far as 1 know they contemplate
[■nothing of the kind now. What may happen
in the future I cannot say.
Q. Do you not frequently hear, in your in
tercourse with secessionists in Virginia, ex
! pressions of a hope that sucii a war may break
out? A. I cannot say that 1 have heard it.
On the contrary, I have heard persons, 1 do
not know whether you call them secessionists
or not—I mean those people in Virginia with
| whom 1 associate—express a hope that the
i country may not he led into war.
Q. In such an event, do you not think that
class of people whom I cull secessionists would
join the common enemy ? A. It is possible.
It depends upon the feelings of the individual.
Q. If it is a fair question—you may an
swer it or not, as you choose—what in such
an event might he your own choice ? A. I
have no disposition now to do it, and 1 have
never ead.
Q. Vou can't foresee that such would he
your inclination in such an event ? A. No.
I can only judge from the past. I don't know
what circumstances may produce. I cannot
pretend to foresee events. So far as I know,
the wish of the people of Virginia is for
i peace.
Q. During the war was it not contemplated
tn- Government trf the Confederate State"
to form an allianco with some foreign nation 1
if possible? A. I bolieve it was their wish
to Uo so. It was their wish to have the Con
federate Government recognized as an inde
pendent. Government. I have no doubt if it
could have made favorable treaties it would
have done so. But I know nothing of its pol
icy. I had no hand or part in it. I merely
express my own opinion.
Q. Tho question I am about to put to you,
you may answer or not, as you choose. Did
you take an oath of fidelity or allegiance to >
the Confederate Government ? A I do not ]
recollect, having done so, but it is possible
when I was commanding I did. I do not rec
ollect whether it was required. If it was re
quired I took it,or if it had been required I
would have taken it. But I do not recollect
whether it was or not.
By Air. Blow—Q. In reference to the effect
of President Johnson’s policy, if it was adopt
ed, would there be anything like a return of
old feelings ? I asked that because you used
the expression “Acquiesccing in the result.”
A. I believe it would.
Q. Do you think that their preference for
that policy arises from a desire to have good
feelings and peace in the country, or from the
probability of their acquiring political power?
A. Bo far as know of the desire of the peo
ple of the South, it is for the restoration of
their constitutional Government, and they
look upon tho policy of President Johnson as
the one which would most clearly and most
surely establish it.
Q. Do you see any change in reference to
the people of Virginia as regards industry ;
are they as much or more interested in devel
oping their material interests than they were?
A. I have not observed any change; every
one now has to attend to his own business for
his support.
Q. Tho poorer elaescs are generally hard
at work*, are they? A. So far as I know,
they arc. 1 know nothing to the contrary.
I have noticed no change in their relations to
the colored people, as I know tho feelings of j
..ii ..e i,ina !
ored people. 1 have never heard any blame
attributed to them as to the prcseut condition
of things, or any responsibility.
Q. Can capitalists and working men from
(lie North go into Virginia and go to work
among the people? A. I do not know any
thing to prevent them. Their peace and
pleasure would depend very much on their
ctnrdtret. If they applied themselves to their
own business, and did not interfere to pro"
voke controversies, I don't believe they would
be interrupted. There is no desire to keep
labor and capital out of the country. They
arc very anxious to get labor and capital into
the State. The manner in which they would
be received, as 1 before stated, would depend
entirely upon the individuals; they might
make themselves obnoxious, as you can un
derstand.
15y Mr. Howard—Is there no! a great dis
like of Northern men among secessionist^?
A. I suppose they would prefer not to asso
ciate with them. 1 do not know that they
would select them as associates.
Q, Do they avoid and ostracize their soci
ety? A. They might avoid them. 1'ltey
would not select them as associates unless
there was some reason. I do not know that
they would associate until they became ac
quainted. 1 think it probable that they would
not admit them into their social circles.
By Mr. Blow—Q. Do you think colored
persons would rather work for a Northern
man than a Southern man? A. I think it
very probable that they would prefor the
Northern man, although I have no facts. I
know of numbers of blacks engaging with
1 their masters; I know of a good many who
! prefer to go off and look for new homes,
j Whether
, masters, or from a desire to change, or that
j they feel more free and independent, I do not
j know.
n Wlin’t is vmir nnininh in r^frnrrl fn tlir*
material interests of "Virginia? do you think
they will be equal to what they were before the
rebellion, under the changed aspect of affairs?
A. ll will take a long time to roach their for
mer standard, I think after some years they
will reach it, I hope they will exceed it; but
it can’t be immediate, lu my opinion it will
take a number of years.
Q. On the w hole, is the condition of things
in Virginia hopeful, bath in regard to its ma
terial interests and future peace of the coun
try 1 A J have heard great hopes expressed,
and' great cheerfulness and willingness to
labor.
Q. Suppose that this policy of President
Johnson’s should bo all that you anticipate,
| and that you should realize all that you expect
in the improvement ofyour material interests,
lo you think the result of that will bo the
! gradual federation of old l'ecbings? A. That
j would bo the natural result, I think, and I see
■ no other way in which that result can be
brought about.
Q. There is a fear iu tbo public mind that
the friends of the policy in the South adopt it
because they see in'.’it means of reorganizing
the political position which they lost in the re
cent contest. Do you think this is the main
idea with them, or do they merely look to it, as
you say, as the best means of restoring their
civil government and the peace and prosperity
of their respective Slates ? A. As to the first
point you make, I do not think that I ever
heard^ny person speak upon it; 1 never heard
the p unt suggested 1 have heard them speak
generally as to the effect of thopolioyof Pres
ident Johnson, file feeling, so fur us 1 know,
is that there is not that equality extended tq
the Southern States as is enjoyed by the
North.
Q. Yon do not feel down there, that while
you accept the result, we are as generous as
we ought to bo under the circumstances? A.
They think the North can afford tq bo getter
Otis. o I,.,;
Q. That is the feeling down there? A,
Yes; apd they think that is tho best polfcy-—
those who reflect on the subject and avo able
to judge.
Q. I understand it to be your opinion that
it would be tlie surest.means ef regaining tuoir
good opinion ? A- \ es, and the speediest.
Q, 1 understand you to say, generally, that
you had no apprehension of any combination
among the lending secessionists to'renew the
war, or anything 6f the kind ? A. Phare no
reason in the world to believe so.
Q. Have you heard that subject talked of
among the politicians? A. No sir, 1 hasp,
not. 1 have not heard that matter suggested..
Q. Let me put another political caso. Sup
pose tho Executive f'linir of the Edited States
should be filled by a President like Buchanan,
who vojeot.ed tho right of coercion (so-called),
and suppose a Congress should elcist here en->
tortaiuing the same political opinions, thus
presenting to the once rebellious States the op
portunity to again secede front the Union,
would they or notj ill your oplntiiii, aval!
themselves of that Opportunity, or Some of
them ? A. I suppose it would depend upon
circumstances existing at tjho time, If] their *
feelings should remain embittered, npd their
affections alienated from, thu rest of the .States,
I think it very probable they might do so, pro
vided they fliought if to their interest, 1 do
not know that there is a deep feeling of dislike
towards the Government, 1 think.lt probable
some animosity may exist among some of tho
people. I think sometimes thqy wore disap
pointed as to the result of the war. I know of
no condition of discontent against tho Gov
ernment amona flic secessi^ists. T he'llova'
that the people will perform towards the Gov->
eminent nil of the duties they are required, to
perform. I think that is the general reeling.'
Q. Do you think it would be practicable to
convict a man in Virginia of troaswn for hfcv
ing taken parfcia this rebellion agajrtsf the Gov*
eminent, by a Virginia jury, without packing
it with direct reference to a verdict of guilty ?
A. On Jtbat point I have no knowledge, aud I
do not know what you would Consider treason
against tho Government. If you mean past
acts—
Gen. llqvferd—yes, sir.
(jen Left-rrl have no knowledge,aa tp what
their views on that subject are. . ,
Q. You understand my question? Suppose,
a jury was impannelcd in your toWn and
neighborhood, talien by lot, would it be prac
ticable to convict Jeff, Davis for having levied
wav on the United States, aud thus having
committed Ihe crime of treason ? A. A think
it would be very probable that they would not
Consider he had committed- (reason; I do not
know whether ft jury would heed the instruc
tions of the Court to convict the offender.
Q, They do not generally suppose that it
was treason against the Government, do they?
A. I do not think that they so consider it.
So far as I know, they look upon the action of
a State, in withdrawing from the Government,
as carrying the individuals in it along with
it; that tho State was responsible for the act
and not the individual. I am now referring to
the past.
Q. State, if you please, and if you are dis
inclined you heed not answer—what were your
own personal view3 on that question? A.
That, was my view; that the act Of Virginia in
withdrawing herself from the Union, carried
me along as a citizen of Virginia, and that her
laws andbev aois wore binding on me.
Q, And that you felt to be your justification
in taking the course you dtd ? A. Yes, sir
Q, I have been told, General, that you have
remarked to some of your friends in conversa
tion, that you were rather wheedled or cheat
ed in that course by politicians? A, lido
not recollect ever making that remark ; I do
not think I ever made it.
Q. If there be any other matter about
which you wish to speak, do so freely, A,
Only in reference to thatlast question you put
tome ; I may have -said, and 1 may have be
lieved, that the position of the two sections
which they hold to each other was brought
about by the politicians of the country that
the great mass of the people, if they iindor
| stood the heal question, wonld have avoided it,
| bumot that I had been individually wheedled
J by the politicians: but I did believe at*tbe
' time that it was unnecessary in tJUe condition
i of affairs, and might have been avoided, if
! forbearance and wisdom had been practiced
on both sides,
Ueu Lee then closed his evidence iu fttat
1 iug, in reply to questions, that the people of
! the South would not like the proposed coqsti
! tuti vital amendment; that he was not aware of
any cruelties practised upon our soldiers at
llelle Isle, though he was aware that they suf
fered many privations, lie declared distinct
i ly that he had no command over tbo pri^on
! ers’ depots, and did not even know, until he
1 saw in the papers this summer, _who caused
, it at Andersonville.
-A wag wrote on the back of a fat alder
man, “Widened at the expense ofthc corpora
tion."