Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1864-01-28

The copperhead papers Of the
North with their usual candor and
honesty, are striving to create ami
mostly againstthe Administration in
consequence of its course relative to
the exchange of what they hypocriti-
cally term, our brave soldiers now Ian
gushing in prison at Richmond
Whilst carefully avoiding any CEN
sure Of JEFF. Davis or his friends who
are crushing out the life blood of our
soldiers by slow tortures and starya-
ton, thu lowest grade of calumny
and invective is showerd on the head
of Presidents Lincoln and his Cabinet,
who it is well known have left no
means untrisd consistent with nation
al honor to procure an exchange or
relieve the wants of our noble boys
in the hells at Richmond.
The Administration were first cen
sured for standing out on the ques-
ton of colored soldiers. Now, that
they offered to exchange man for man
without regard to any question of un-
settled policy, these patriotic jour
mails, as the next best pretext for abu-
sing Lincoln, lay all the blame on
the fact of his appointing Be asst But
ler (as they term him in imitation OF
their southern friends to superintend
the exchange, knowing him to beper-
sonally Objectionable to Mr. Davis and
his officers, and therefore oar brave
soldiers must suffer. Out on such
hypocrisy! Is it probable that men
who would vote, neither a man nor a
dollar" to support the army in the
field, care anything for it in prison:
The result shows the wise policy
of placing the business in Gen. But
ler's hands. Read the following from
the Richmond Enquirer of late date,
and see how his system works.
A flag of truce boat was reported,
yesterday, to have arrived at City
Point If this news be true, we shall
probably, have advices from the Uni
ted States to-day. 1t seems that the
Lincoln Government have determined
to keep beast Butler in charge of the
confederate prisoners. Advices from
the North, state that all of our prison
ers in the enemy's hands, are to be
concentrated at Point Lookout, in
Maryland, and the Beast is to be
given authority over them. Welearn,
from trustworthy sources, that Butler
has assumed command at Point Look
out, and that the first intimation our
imprisoned soldiers had of the fact,
beyond rumor in camp, was the pro-
mitigation of an order from him, pos
itively prohibiting the citizens OF
Maryland from showing any sympa-
thy to our men, or from furnishing
them with any necessaries whatever.
Before that, owing to the kindness OF
the Maryland women, who are almost
entirely southren in their feeling and
action, the conrcuUreS roe 1,-;-~~-.~...s.h Il ~
managed to bear the rigors ofconfne-
ment with tolerable equanimity.-
Their condition now is deplorable
Butler is an outcast, and can never be
recognised as entitled to the privi.
leges accorded to foe taken in law.
full warfare, yet it may become 6
question whether our Government
should not consult the feelings of the
confederate soldiers now lingering in
Northern dungeons, and take the ear.
liest practicable opportunity of re
leasing them. Treating with Butler
will not release the pitifuT wretch from
the ban of outlawry pronounced a
gainst him. We can still hang him
achen are catch him, bat catching is be
fore hanging. He should, however
be executed, and doubtless will be
by the first confederate officer int {
whose hands he may chance to fall.
Now it must be apparent to every
honest mind that retaliation as Butler
is pursuing, is the only course, tc
bring the murderous fiends of JEFF
Davis to their senses. Whilst oul
prisoners in their hands, were being
starved to death; their men with u:
we're living better than they had, in
the South, for months before.
We hope our Government will give
to Gen. Butler, unlimited power ir
this exchange of prisoners. Let the
unscrupulous homicide at Richmond
know, that his myrmidons shall re,
eeive the treatment precisely, that he
accords to Union men.