Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-05-24
Letter from a Secessionist.

The following private letter, writer
to gentleman in Boston, by friend II
Alabama, will be read with interest. /
undoubtedly reflects the tone Of public
sentiment in that region, and is sufficient
ly rabid to pass the censorship Of III,
Post Office without the representations 0
the rebel flag with which the envelop,
and the letter sheets were covered. Blu
there is something in the letter which
leads US to believe that the heart of the
writer is not with his words. The letter
is perhaps more suggestive than instruc
tive:
SELMA, Ala, c. S. A., May 2.
DEAR g.: 1t was with pleasure that
received yours of the goth ult, aItho'
the sentiments you express are by no
means suited to this latitude, and are
themselves, as / think, wicked. You
PROFOUND to me a number Of questions,
to which will frankly return answers,
not after the manner of the Yankee boys,
by asking others. But first let me say,
that one wish you make, namely, for a
scrvile instruction in our midst, | con-
slider so inconsistent with your character,
that | don't know that ii isn't foolish to
comment on il as being in the least de-
gree sincere. But this will say to you
if the rope was around your neck to hang
You for having uttered such a sentiment,
and if Who have loved you as a dear
fii3nd--alone had complete power to save
your life by a word, that word would not
be spoken. More, your bones might dry
and bleach, hanging from the tree, if |
had the utmost facilities for burying you.
More yet, would not in the least mourn
your loss, but would remember you in my
prayers as remember John Brown, be-
seeching for him and you alike the hottest
corner Of the hottest department of Hell,
and the closest and most unremittng at
tentions of the Devil.
That is my opinion of all such sent-
ments and the authors Of them. But rs
| said before, of course you mean no
more by this than to express your desire
to conquer the South, on the principle
that alrs fair in war" That you for a
moment have ever desired to hear Of
slave instruction, don't believe. And
now we are on this subject, will tell you
something which you are not likely to
hear by your papers. In many Of our
cities the free negroes have held meetings
in which they have enthusiastically re-
solved to strike for "home and Father
land" if the authorities would accept !
their services. e
In New Orleans, there was an assem-
blage Of over two thousand, when speech
ca were made--some in French, by the
French negroes, that is, negroes from
that part of the city where French is the
only language among white and black
resolutions were passed rendering their
services to the Confederate States In
Savannah, Mobile and other large places,
the case has been the same. In many
instances, owners of slaves have asked {
leave to arm their boys, and leading
themselves, to take the field. So great S
is the confidence land it is not msplaced) t
in the negroes, that we are willing to
leave our homes in their protection, while |
we are in the field. Several thousands q
OF the Sl5,000,00O loan, were taken by :
slaves and free negroes, through their
masters and agents. So here, part of
the diabolical scheme OF the north, falls
to the ground.
Now for the questions: Are you {
secessionist?"
do not believe in the legality Of Sc
cession. l do not believe in the princi- c
pie. But do believe in the fact. do {
believe that the south is justified in the
act. And since the north refused to offer t
or accept any compromise in Congress, | !
believe it is the dnty of all good citizens
to maintain, a: the cost Of life and wealth, t
the stand our States have taken. And if s
it must be, in answer TO your second y
question, ] consider that it is my duty to
" take up arms" and to battle against the d
foes Of the confederacy, even ii in so do a
ing | meet those who were my friends d
And let me say to you that this viii be a "
=" war of brothers in truth. Among the
volunteers from this place there are sew u
eral Boston men, one or two from Mid 4
dlesex county, and quite a number from n
other parts of New England, as well as 5,
from the other northern states. " Put I
his in your pipe" &c. You think must G
leave here or fight for the SOUTH 81
Dreadful. Well, SLANT LEAVE! S
The coincidence you speak Of is quite ST
Also this one, that this rev. n
olution commenced on Friday, in the F
middle of April, (at SUMTER as did that kr
Of 76. Thus this second struggle for m
liberty begins at about the same time. Of A