Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-04-02
prRRrDY OF TIE NORTm.

In our issue of yesterday, we published a full
account, taken from official sources, OF the perhdy
of the northern government in the matter OF
the exchange of prisoners. The history Of the
negotiations establishes the following facts;
/. The Federal government, through General
Wool, took the first steps towards an exchange
of prisoners, and suggested the plan and basis
which were finally agreed upon
2. At the time the negotiations were com
menced, 1t was believed on both sides that we
had taken more prisoners than the North. Yet
if ii should appear, after a fair exchange Of man
for man, that any were left over on either side,
it was agreed that they should be released on
parole not to AXE up arms until other prisoners
should be taken and exchanged for them
3. Acting upon this agreement, and trusting
TO the coed faith Of the North, the Confederate
government ordered the release of al Federal
prisoners in our hands.
4. Just at this point, Fort Donelson fell, and
a large number of Confederates were captured,
which gave the North a p~reponderance Of pris-
oners. Whereupon Gen. WOoL was instructed
by his government to abandon the negotiations,
and to decline to carry out the agreement already
come to.
5. Notwithstanding this disgracefu aban-
donment of their OWE solemn compact, they
have thus far failed to return the prisoners we
had released to them, under the mistaken idea
that they would keep faith with US.
Thus has the Northern government shown
itself to be utterly shameless. 1t has deliber-
erateIy eaten its own solemn words, and lemon
strated its readiness to resort to any trick or
subterfuge, however dispicable and disbonOra-
bic, by which it can promote its own base pur-
poses and take advantage of its adversary. 1t
reminds one of ancient Puniea, whose baseness
and treachery were so notorious and unblush-
ing, that Pauio faith at length became by
word and reproach throughout the world; and
the phrase has descended to modern times as a
Just description of the sentiments of those who
neither perform their promises, nor keep faith
with others.
Such has been the conduct Of the Federal gov
eminent and its officers, civil and military, ever
since the war broke out They have been pro
fuse in their promises and prOclamations, and
sometimes act with apparent forbearance, when
It is to their interest to do so but the moment
they have gained their purpose. they throw off
the veil and exhibit themselves in their true
light. They pretend that they do not come to
interfere with our institutions; yet they decoy
of and steal every slave they can find. They
profess, too, to respect private property; yet they
have taken all the cotton, sugar and molssses in
private hands, they have been able to lay their
hands upon. So, too, in regard to the local laws
and government Of the several States. Instead
of adhering to their oft-repeated promises, they
have inaugurated a movement for the subversion
of all local State government, and the reduc-
ton Of States to the condition Of territories.
Who can trust such a government Who
win allow himself to be deceived by its
specious promises 2 As Junius said OF Lord
Mansfield, it never speaks the truth except
with q fraudulent intent.
The serpent beguiled our mother EVE with
f~attering phrases, and the world still laments
the weakness Of her con6ding nature The
monster who deceived her and brought woe
upon all mankind, was not more subtle and per
fdious than the foul and treacheTous govern
ment of the United States.