Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-04-17
ANOTHER LETTERFEOM HON. HENRY S. FOOTE-
EXPLANATION OF BIS POSITION
no - EpIroE 81 7nE - YoRK TIE.

To TEE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK IihhS.
am duly grateful assure you for the coustesy exer-
ci5ed by YOU repubshng nay vindcatory card in the
Herald according TO request Iha no time for conto-
very and certainly not in the hanor for consrover
sia discussion with any human being or upon any sub
iect whatever BY hear. intensely sgOnlzed the
gatherings Of my countr men, both North and Souh and
the general destruction in recent battles, OF some OF my
neares. kindred and dearest friends But as reputation
and pcraoral honor about oil that is left 70 mo-
will you be good enough to allow me TO publish iew
lines in your MISUNDERSTANDING journal IN response 20
one or two remarks in your editorial of this morning in
which you have done re Is cannot bat believe, unI
entionsl Injustice You speak Of having fed from
the Richmond Government On the contrary, came
evenly upon full notice and ayowedy for the purpose Of
endeavoring to facilitate peace arrangements alone.
You describe me % having been expelled from the Con-
federats Congress | voluntarily sbdcated my sea. in
tia. body east two months before the adoption Of the
resolution Of expulsion because "a stated st the me
Tlookes upon the legislative body with which | found
o. ysef connected, corrupt imeecie and serye and
because associates after fastening upon the south an
irresponsible military despetsn oootnatey refused to
take any steps for the restoration OF peace when plain
v ssw and foreyarned them that great military caam
ties were impending which unless avered BY timely con-
csssious 70 the Federal Government most inevitably re-
spIt in the wide spread ruin which IA being eXpe
renced The tie Of expulsion properly considered, is
only proof that in mind in attachments, IA habits OF
life and in9 character there was net the smallest re-
sembgnce or affinity between myself and the majority OF
those who participated in this impotent and dassrdy act
Of n1aleyoepce You charge me with eccentrictty. /
have 20 say upon this point only this Ny eccentrcity
s. a politican II indeed am eccentric, consists IN my
having in 1850 sustained the conprom Sc measures OF
that period in opposition to eXtem ss alike OF the North
and The South in having steadily adhered to the great
rrincipie of nonnterventon embod Ell in those nea.
surss from that period 70 the present moment;
in having resolutely opposed all attempts to renew
sectional agitation In having resisted the adoption OF
the KsnsWha Ne brakS BILL the LecOmpton Constitutions;
the attempts to reopen the African slavetrade the in
roductou of non intervention plank in the democratic
Presidential Pltform Of 1890 the proposition TO break
mo the Federal Union because Of Mr. LlscoLss election
m the mode recognized by the Gon1 tuition in opposing
tho setession movement until civil war already ra-
ring and the Southern States had ten already invaded
In oopoing all attempts By the Confederate authorities
70 purish Union for the con-centous enteai
of Union sentiments in opposing ccnhc ston, oonscrp
ton and the Suspension OF the writ OF hAbeas corpus
In euosing and aiding in the defeat OF Nh DAVE effort
10 establish despotism in the South, u originating
from time to time ard pressing earnestly the sending OF
p-opositious Of peace TO Washington; in nterposng
sressy 70 prevent Union prisoners of war from being
starved 70 death by iHhuman Commissary General
and finally in abandoning all connection with the Con
federata cause when saw that a longer association
tbe-e Win would subject my character both IS public
and pryate man 10 lasting dshonor II this what Is
meant BY ecoeutrichy must say glory n being regar-
ed az eccentric feel that my whole course has been
Ia harmony with principle and that have done nothing
At any time Of which either gentleman or patriot ought
% be ashamed
I have the honor 10 be- respectfully
Your obed ent iervant
II y PODTP