The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1862-07-17
Hon. A. DtxoEA's Reply.
4. e. Johnson, G. s. A.:

A4END1AA~SN'1
A. e. Johnson, G. S. A.:
SrR-In response to interrogatories con-
tanned ia a letter of the 9Th inst, addressed
by you to myself and others, have only
to say that the resolutions adopted by the
meeting referred to, were not, as | under
stand them, declaration-either by myself
or the citizens of Henderson-to do any
thing but assist in putting down band of
lawless men, who, as we learned were un-
authorized by either the Federal Govern
ment or the Southern Confederacy and
who are engaged in robbing aud plumber
ing the honest citizens of Henderson coun-
ty, both Union and Southern Rights. That
band is condemned by all honorable men
here, whether of Union or Southern Rights
proelfvities, and who are determined to put
it down at whatever hazard or sacrifice. l
am gratified to learn that you do not coun-
tenance, and that the Confederate Govern
ment does not authorize it. Whatever may
be the merits of the rebellion, this preda-
tory warfare surely has nothing to redeem
it in the estimation of those who would
not upheave the foundations of society, and
scou ge with fire and sword the fairest por-
tons of Kentucky. H
cannot speak with certainty of the OBJ
jects of the other members of the commit
tee-I think we had a common purpose
But for myself l disclaim all intention of
declaring war against the Confederate
States, or of making myself a belligerent in
the present unhappy contest between the
sections, and agree with you that it is bet
ter that the citizens should take no part in
it, and that if it must be settled by the
sword, that the armies alone should fight
the battles. And as your orders are not to
interfere with private persons or property,
but to protect them, may not the people of
Henderson rely on your aid in suppressing
the lawless bands who are committing so
many wrongs throughout the country
To me the declaration in your letter
that your orders are, not to interfere with
private property, or persons, on account OF
their Union principles, is extremely graft
flying. These orders are right and strictly
comfortable to the rules of warfare es'ab-
lished by all civilized nations-and you
must be greatly changed since knew you,
if you do not, as a man of honor, comply
with them in letter and spirit. To seize
| and confiscate the property of Uhion men,
on account of a difference in politics. would
be not only to provoke retaliation on their
part, but on the part of the Federal Gov
eminent, which is bound to protect them.
And in this way, all, both Southern Rights
| and Union men, would be involved in one
discriminate and general ruin.
So horrible to me has this war seemed
/ from the beginning, that | have had no
/ heart to take part in it. 1t has been war
in Kentucky of father against sou, and son
/ against father-a war that has broken the
ties of friendship, severed the sacred bonds
that bound brother 10 brother, destroyed
the relation between the citizen and his
government, aud left him almost ready to
exclaim, in the Responding language of the
I banished and ruined Bertram-
& have country; that
Comprises dear kindred. kind fri DDS
Protectii & laws all that binds man to man,
But none of these mine.'
That there may be no misunderstanding,
| will have your letter published with this,
my reply.
l have the honor to be
Your obedient, &c,
ARCH'D DIXON.