The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-12-31
ADDRESS OF
III ON. e. w. @ A N IT II ,
To the People of Arkansas.

HON. e. w. CAN'T,
To the People Of Arkansas.
FELLow- CITIZENS Since the third day o
June have been prison Or in the Fedora
lines.
Having but recently bsen through the
entire South, having studied its resources,
and wept over its ruin and having become
fully acquant ed with its condition, and the
character of its rulers, l have chosen, after
long hesitation, to remain here and address
you, in preference to being sent home and
exchanged amsSow out of the service,
and can therefore speak with unreserved
freedom.
Ny course in this struggle is known to
the country. In the army and in prison,
with fire in front and IN rear, have been
with you and Of you as long as hope re-
.mained. And to-day, know no devotion
80 strong as that l bear to my Southern
home, and to the masses of our people,
whose terribl. sufferings bind me closer to
them now than ever.
I. ahall give you my views and counsel for
what they are worth, frankly and fully in
this address, and care not for the conse-
.quencss to myself 1t is the path of duty,
andI shall follow it fearlessly. s .saaa
shall speak to you as an Arkansian.---
Shall therefore confine myself more partic
ularly to what has occurred in our midst
since the commencement of hostlities, and
may thns give prn'pinencc tn events and
persons. that they would not otherwise de
serve. As fear no ne, shall spare no
one.
CONDUCT ov CERTAIN REBEL LEADERS IN THE
BRGINNISG oP THE STRUGGLE.
IN the commencement Of this unfortu-
nate struggle our State hcsitated. But
when the shock OF arms came, she opened
her treasury and poured out her best blood
Her troops were removed beyond the Miss
issipSi river, upon the principle, that there
was the place to defend her soil. We ac-
quiescei. The principle was doubtless cor
rect For time, all things went well en-
ongh with us. We were only annoyed nv
partisan feuds and broils, by that selfish
faction which so long ruled our people, and
left their dehasing influences upon society.
But the poisoned cup had been prepared
for as in the very beginning. We were
destined to drain its dregs to the bottom.
Our people, plundered, whipped and OPP
pressed, were to bow their necks to polit
ical adventurer. clothed in lace ard brass
buttons, who owed all he was to their kind
ness and charity. Hindman and Johnson
names inseparable linked with the sorrow
and ruin Of our people-formed coalition.
and drew into it the cast-off scum Of old
parties From that day may date the ruin
OF our people, If not of our whole cause.
Not that intend attributing to them great
force or capacity. but. that circumstances OF
long ago. linking Hindman to Davis, and
intrigue upon the part of Johnson, were to
place Hindman on a larger wave than q
craft Of his size could ride securely. So
bitter and rancorous had been the hatred of
these men towards each other. that such a
union, II made publicly, would have shocked
and startled our people. But It was done
by stealth. II leaked out py degrees.
The promotion Of Capt. j. b. johnson,
brother of Robert w. johnson, in Hind
mans Legion, at Hindman's instance. The
urging of Hindmar's promotion by Mr..
johnson in the secret and corrupt ante.
chamber of Richmond politics-the appoint
msnt Of Mr.. Johnson's near relative on
Hindman's staff-the urging of Hindman's 8
further promotion. and stronger and stran-
ger than all. the procuring by trick Of Mr..
johnson. Of tie transfer of Gen. Hindman
{, this Department, are cumulative evi-
denoes ofthis corrupt bargain--a barga in in
which the blood and treasure of onr people
was to 60 to enrich the Johnsons Hind
man was to be transferred to this Depart
ment, and by his aid, great party was to
be built up in our midst. and the enemies
Of the Johnsons pat down. Having for
years used the public treasure to put down
foes and build up parties, now, the blood Of
the people is to be used for the Same pur-
pose.
Mr.. Davis was eager to do any thing
for Hindman. Would scruple little about
the means or the result to the people vet.
in this instance, he hesitated. Mr.. job nson
assured him that our people wanted Hind
man here. That he was the man for the
occasion. But with oil this Mr. DAVIS
would not send him by ''anthority" yet,
would permit him to he smuggled across.
Our people were amazed at bis advent.
More so, when they found Mr.. johnson had
brought him, and that the press at Little
Rock, heretofore his abusers, was snbserv.
ient to him. II was voiceless GO far as
Hindman's usuipat IONS and expressions
might be. No other reason has ever yet
been given for its mysterious silence, than
the prompt appointment by Hindman to
positions Of influence, OF near relatives OF
the editors Of these papers. And so the
pot thickens.
in all The instances Of appointces referred