The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1863-01-23


marks on the subject of our foreign rela-
tions without adverting to the fact that
the correspondence between the Cabinets
of France. Great Britain and Russia re
Gently published, indicates a gratifying
advance in the appreciation 10y these gov,
ernmeHts of the true interests OF mankind
as involved in the war on this continent.
1t is to the enlightened ruler of the
French nation that the public feeling of
Europe is indebted for the first official eX-
nibition of its sympathy fol the suifcrings
endured by this people with 80 much he
roism. OF its horrors at the awful carnage
with which the progress of the war has
been marked, aud ils desire for 4 spec.
dy peace. The clear and direct IntimaIion
contained in the language OF the French
note, that our ability to maintain our in
dependence has been fully established was
moi controverted by the answer of either
of the Cabinets IN which il was addressed,
1t is indeed difficult to conceive y just
ground for longer delay on this subject
after reading the following statement of
facts contained in the letter emanating
from the minister of his Imperial Majes-
~: There has been established, from the
yely beginning of this war, an equlibrl
of forces between the belligerents, which
has since been Almost constantly main
tanned, and, after the spilling Of so much
blood, they are today, in this respect, IN
situation which has not sensibly chang
ed. Nothing authorises the provision that
more decisive military operations Will
shortly occur According to the last st
vices received in Europe, the two armies
were, on the contrary, IN coDdiii9n
which permitted neither TO hope within
short delay advantages sufficiently mar
ked TO turn the balance definitively, and
to accelerate the conclusion OF peace v,
As this government has never professed
the intention of conquering the United
States, but has simply asserted its ability
to defend itself against being conquered
by that power, we may safely conclude
that the claims of this Confederacy TO It's
lust place in the family of nations cannot
long be withheld, after so frank and Tor
NAL an admission of its capacity TO cope,
on equal terms, with its aggressive foes,
and to maintain itself against their at
tennis TO obtain decisive results by arms.
1t is my painful duty again to inform
YOU OF the renewed examples Of every
conceivable atrocity committed by the
armed forces of the United States, at dit
ferent points within the Confederacy, and
which must stamp indelibe intamy not
only on the perpetrators, but on their SUI
periors, who, having the power to check
| these outrages on humanity, numerou:
and well authenticated as they have been
! have not yet, in asingle instance OF which
| am aware, inflicted punishment on thC
wrong.doers. Since my last communica
ton to YOU, one Gen. Mcneil murdered
seven prisoners of war in cold blood. anC
the demand for his punishment has re
NAMED unsatisfed The government o
the United States, after promising exam
nation and explanation in relation to tn,
charges made against General Benjamin
f Butler, has, by its subsequent silence
repeated efforts on my part to obtalt
some aHs~sS. on the subject, not only ad
mitted his guiIr. %ss.. sanctioned it by ac
quiescence, and have acs-sdingly brand
ed this criminal as an outlaw ana direct
ed his execution in eXpiation OF his crimes
if he should fall into the hands of any o.
our forces. Recently have received ap
parently authentic intelligence OF another
general by the name of Milroy, who has
issued orders in Western Virginia for the
payment of money to him by the inhabl
tants, accompanied by the most savage
threats of shooting every rGcusaat, besides
burning his house; and threatening SINH
lar atrocities against any OF our citizens
who shall fail to betray their country b,
giving him prompt notice OF the approach
of any of our forces, and this subject ha
also been submitted to the superior mill
tary authorities ofthe United States, will
but faint hope that they will evince an!
dsapprobation of the act. Humanit,
shudders at the appalling atrocities which
are being daily multiplied under the sane
ton of those who have obtained tempo
rary possession of power in the United
States and who are fast making its onc'
fair name a by-word of reproach among
civilized men. Not even the natural in
dignation inspired by this conduct shoulC
make us, however so unjust, rs to attrl
butte to the whole mass OF the people whit
are subjected to tie despotlsm that nov
regns with unbridlcd license in the city
of Washington, willing acqulescence IL
its conduct Of the war. There must ne
cessarily exist among our enemies, very
many, perhaps u majority whose hu
mainly recoils from all participation II
such atrocities, but who cannot be hello
wholly guiltless while permitting theil
continuance without an effort at repres
sion.
The public journals of the North have
been received, containing proclamation
dated on the first day of the present
month. signed by the President of the
United States, in which he orders anc
declares all slaves within ten of the States
ofthe Confederacy to be free, except such
as are found within certain districts now
occupied in part by the armed forces o
the enemy. .agt
We may well leave it to the instincts
of that common humanity which benti
cent Creator has implanted in the breast
of our fellow-men of all countries, to pas
judgment on measure by which severa
millions of human beings OF an inferio
race, peaceful and contented laborers il
their sphere, are doomed to extermina
ton, while at the same ting. they are en-
\ couraged to general assassination o.
their masters by the insidious
dation "to abstain from violence unles
in necessary seli.defcnce." Our own de
testation of those who have attempted
the most execrable measure recorded il
the history of guilty man, is tempered
by profound contempt for the impoten
rage which il discloses, SO tar as regard
the action of this government on sucl
criminals as may attempt itsPNecutlon,
confine myself to informing you that
shall, unless in your wisdom you deem
some other course more expedient, deliv
err to the several State authorities all com
missioned officers of the United State
that may hereafter be captured by, ou
forces in any OF the States embraced il
the proclamation, that they may be deal
with in accordance with the laws OF thos'
States providing for the punishment o
| or;rninais engaoed in excitinp sprVile in