Report of the Joint select committee appointed to inquire into the condition of affairs in the late insurrectionary states, so far as regards the execution of laws, and the safety of the lives and property of the citizens of the United States and Testimony taken.

ALABAMA-SUB-COMMITTEE. 1533
Question. Do you not think white men of strong republican proclivities labor under
some apprehension?
Answer. Not the least for their politics. We have republicans among us just as quiet
as can be; planting men among the hills above there.
Questiio. How do you know they feel no apprehension, when such examples of violence occur as the cases of Dr. Blackford, Dr. Jones, and Mr. Drake?
Answer. They have never expressed any, when I have talked with them. I do not
know any of those cases last mentioned.
By Mr. BLAIR:
Question. Those are not very quiet, peaceable men, are they?
Answer. I never heard of Drake before, but Jones I do not think is a peaceable man.
I do not think there is any terror to a peaceable, law-abiding man; I never have believed it in any particular.
By the CHAIRMAN:
Question. Do you think republicans may publicly advocate their sentiments, and
endeavor to promote the success of the republican party by all legitimate means,
without drawing any odium whatever on the part of the community?
Answer. I do, sir, believe it candidly, by all fair, honest, legitimate means. It is only
the illegitimate, the improper, underhand means that are condemned.
Question. There might be some difficulty in determining what you consider fair
means?
Answer. I would say, if these poor, ignorant negroes were forced to go to meetings
and listen to talk under duress, I would say to them, i" Stay in the field to work; we
are trying to make a living; there is no need to go to it." They answer, " Well, we
are compelled to go." They have told me that time and again. I say, " I do not go to
political meetings only when I choose, nor need you." They would say, " I am compelled
to go." I have had my fodder pulled down on the field Saturday, and left there by
their going away under that threat. They would say, " We are obliged to go, or we
will be punished severely." There is much more fear of punishment among the negroes from the party, if they told the truth, than from us. I give you my word for that;
I cannot get it out of their minds.
Question. You say a gin-house was burned ten miles above you, and it was supposed
to have been done by disguised men?
Answer. No, sir; supposed to have been done by a negro-believed to be. That negro
was arrested.
Question. And this negro was afterward killed?
Answer. Yes, sir; he was taken, I understood, from the officers of the law.
Question. Was there certain proof that he was guilty, or was he killed upon mere
suspicion?
Answer. It was upon that kind of solid belief, I understood.
Question. How large a body of men did you understand was concerned in his murder?
Answer. I do not know. A body of men was said to have done it. I heard it incidentally.
Question. When did that occur?
Answer. I do not know when the burning occurred; he was shot about March.
By Mr. BLAIR:
Question. Did you hear the other day that there were numbers of men, when Chicago
was burning, caught stealing from the burning houses, and killed?
Answer. Yes, sir; shot right in the act or hung-so the papers said.
Question. Have you ever heard of anybody being punished for it?
Answier. No, sir, and no effort made; on the contrary.
Quis'Nion. Was not General Sheridan highly applauded for his activity in hanging
those people?
Anszwr'. Yes, sir, so it was said. This negro was believed to be guilty by everybody
here, they say.
By the CHAIRMAN:
Question. Would there have been any difficulty in convicting him, if he was guilty
of burning this gin-house?
Answer. I do not know, sir. A lawyer is bound to do the best he can for his client,
and that doing has no sort of limit, to my mind; I often think the guilty escape.
Question. Do you not think the lawyers should be visited by these lynchers, if they
are pasty to the acquittal of guilty men?
Answer. I would not say anybody in particular should be visited. I say if anybody
did wrong, something should catch them, something should be done; because I believe, in the state of things since the war, some stimulant should be produced.