Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-09
Al CHARACTERISTIC LETTER.
Raphael semmes TO his Brother. sans
mel VI. Semmes. -

Raphael Seknnes 10 his Br0tiier- SANS
ueI VI. Semmes.
The Nafio,oI IlieligencT has been furnish
ed with the following letter, written by RAJ
pHAEL SEMMEs, late Admiral in the Con-
federate Navy, the commander of the rebel
cruiser Alabama, and who is now awaiting
trial at Washington. 1t is in. admirable
keeping with the elevated tone and charac-
Ter OF the man:
MOBILE, ALA, Aug II, 1865.
My DEAR BROTHER: The cessation of
the war leaves me at liberty to renew my
correspondence with you, without subject
ing Won to suspicion and annoyance (; and /
need not saw to YOU how grateful to the
warnings of my heart is this long suspended
privilege. You have been frequently in nay
thoughts during our unfortunate struggle,
and have often felt much solicitudeon your
account lest a part Of the odium and ill-will
which Jealous performance OF my duty has
called down upon my head from a mad ma
tom should attach to you and your family,
and operate to your injury. Indeed, L have
no doubt but that the prejudice against me
was the secret of the barbarous and malig-
nant persecution of your son, OF which l
heard only few days since from my wlfe's
friend and relation, Mrs. Judge Spencer, of
Cincinnati. l have never inquired. as to
your opinions and conduct during
the wal, being content TO leave
you the same liberty OF choice and
action that | claimed for myself. l knew
that whatever you did, you would do Ike
man of honor. and crested satisfied. Be
sides you had been for some time retired
from active life by your want OF health. As
for myself, have nothing to regret save on
" the loss of our independence. My con-
science, which is the only earthly tribunal
of which a good man should be afraid, bears
me witness of the uprightness of my inten-
ton in choosing my course when, with many
regrets, severed my connection with the
old Government and fastened to the defence
of my home and section; and now, upon re-
viewing the whole of my subsequent career,
| can see.no act with which 1 have to re-
proach myselfas unbecoming man Of honor
and a gentleman. | approved the secession
movement of the Southern States, though
had no agency in it. thought that sepa-
ration ofthose two sections of cur Republic,
which had been engaged In deadly moral
conflict for thirty years, would ultimately re-
suit to the great advantage OF them BOTH
The world was wide enough for them to live
apart, and peace, | Thought, would be the
fruit of their mutual independence OF each
other Although cared very little about
the institution of slavery, thought that the
subordinate position Of the inferior race was
its proper position. 1 believed that the doc
trine of States-rights was the only doctrine
which would save our Republic from the tate
of all other Republics that had gone before us
in the history of the world. l believed this
doctrine had been violated, and that 1t
would never be sufficiently respected by the
controlling masses Of the Northern section
to prevent them from defacing with sacri-
ligious hands our national bond OF Union
wheresoeveri its letter was meant toguard the
peculiar rights of the South. Believing
this, there was but onescourse which faith
full Southern man could pursue, and main
tain his selfrespect. pursued that course.
When the alternative was presented to me
of adhering to the allegiance to my native
State or to the United States, ! chose the
former Having chosen my side, gave 1t
jealous and earnest support. l spent four
years in active service, and only ceased to
labor for my cause when 1t was no longer
possible. rendered this service without
ever having treated PASSOVER otherwise
than humanely, and, | may say, often kind
"; and without ever having committed an
act of war at any time, or In any manner,
which was not sanctioned by the laws OF
war; vet my name will go down to poster
ity in untruthful histories that will be writ
ten by bigoted and venal historians as
sort of Bluebeard or Captain Kidd. But L
am content, my brother. My conscience Is
clear; my selfrespect has been preserved,
and nv sense of manhood remains unlm-
paired. think, too, the South will be con-
tent, notwithstanding her immense losses
and sacrifices. If she had yielded to the IN
tolerant exactions of Northern selfshness
and fanaticism, without appealing to the ar
bitrament of war, she would have played
craven and unworthy part. 1t Is better to
lose everything we possess than our honor
and manhood. / know you will believe
me, my brother, when | tell you that L
should feel greatly humbled in my own
opinion, were | this day entitled to wear an
admiral's flag in the old navy, and in pos
session of all the means and appliances OF
wealth, if thought my honors and rewards
had been gained by sacrifice of creed.
The preservation of my own self-respect IS
infinitely preferable to all such gains. l
have come out of the war poor, but God
willing | shall make support for my fam
| ily. The President treats me as an outlaw,
unworthy of amnesty. | have nothing to
saw. If / am deemed unworthy to be cit
izen, can remain in my native land as an
alien. A magnanimous people would have
passed an act of general amnesty, 1t being
absurd and ridiculous to talk about rebels
and traitors in connection with such revo-
luton as has swept over the length and
breadth of this land, in which States, and
not individuals merely, were the actors.
But enough of this subject. | am still in
| Mobile, but it Is yet uncertain where | shall
go, or what shall do. If l save FIVE or six
| thousand dollars out Of the wreck of my
affairs, it will be fully as much as expect.
| think of retiring into the country, where,
upon a small farm, can live in obscurity
and peace the few years that remain to me.
| Ny children are all grown; are well educa-
ted, and will be able, if the worst comes to
| the worst, to take care of themselves.
Remember me kindly to your family, my
dear brother, and let me hear from you.
| We have become old men. We have both
had our troubles, but the chain of affection
which binds me to you remains unaffected by
the cares of the world, and is as bright now
as when we slept in each others arms.
| Your affectionate brother,
r. SEMMEs.
Address ar. SENnIEs, Esq"