Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-05-31
Letter from a Secessionist,

undoubtedly reflects the tone OF puohc
sentiment in that region, and is sufficient
" rabid to pass the censorship OF the
Post Office without the representations oil
the rebel flag with which the envelope
and the letter sheets were covered. But
there is something in the letter which
lend. us TO believe that the heart Of the
writer is not with his words The letter
is perhaps more suggestive than insiruc-
tive:
SELMA, Ala, c, S. A., May 2
DEAR G.: 1t was with pleasure that
received yours of the goth ult, aIiho'
,he sentiments you express are by no
means suited to this latitude and are
themselves, as | think, wicked. You
nropoupd to me number OF questions,
10 which | will frankly return answers,
not after the manner Of the Yankee boys
nv asking others But first let me say,
that one wish you make, namely, Tor
servils instruction in our midst, con-
slider so inconsistent with your character
that | don't know That it isn't foolish to
comment on it as being il the least de-
rtee sincere. But this | will say to you
fine rope was around your neck to hang
YOU for having uttered such sentiment
and if Who have loved you as dear
6iend-alone had complete power to save
your life by word, that word would not
be spoken. More, your bones might dry
and bleach, hanging from the tree II !
had III. 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 unremllting at
tentions of the Devil
That is my opinion of all such senII-
ments and the authors Of them. bnt a.
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 a
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.
In New Orleans, there was an assem-
blese Of over two thousand, when speech
cs were made--some in French, by the
French negroes, that is, negroes from
TINT part of the city where French IS the
oay 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. 30 grea
is the confidence land it Is not misplaced
in the negroes, that we are willing t'
leave our homes in their protection, whilt
we are in the field Several Thousands
of the SI5,000,0O0 loan, were taken by
slaves and free negroes, through then
masters and agents. So here, a part Of
the diabolieal scheme OF the north, tall
to the ground.
Now for the questions; Are You
secessionist =
do not believe in the legality OF se
cession. | do not believe in the princl
ple. But do believe in the fact d
believe that the south is justified in tn
act. And since the north refused to Otte
or accept any compromise in Congress,
believe it is the dnty of oil good citizen
TO maintain, a. the cost OF life and wealth
the stand our States have taken. And
it must BE-, in answer to your secon'
question, consider that it is my duty t
take up arms" and TO battle assinst tn
foes of the confederaey, even if in SO do
ing | meet those who we're my friends
And let me say to you that this will be
war Of brothers" in truth. Among tn
volunteers from this place there are seV
eral Boston men, one or two from Mid
dlesex county, and quite number iroI
other parts of New England, as well q
from the other northern states. Pu
this in your pipe" &c. You think mus
leave here or fight for the south
Dreadful Well, SLANT LEAVE.
The coincidence you speak OF is quit
remarkable Also this one, that thisreN
olation commenced on Friday, in th
middle of April, (at SUMTER as did th'
Of '76. Thus this second struggle fl
liberty begins at about the same time,
the same month Of the year, as did th
first. So much for condolences. o