The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-05-09
No. 40
Ex-Goy. Allen to Horace Greeley
from the Mexican Times

3
from the Mexican Times
To Horace Greeley ESQ., editor New York Tm1g
Sir-In your valuable paper OF the 22d ult., ana tN
subsequent numbers, are panied 70 see sever af
cles written against the unfortunate exes from fae
United States We think it very unfair, ungeat-ous
and unkind spirit. The men of whom you have spoken
sofippantly and so lightly many of them 7t your
age and deserve to say the least respectful notice
at your hands. We regret this the more Mr.. Greeley,
behause we have always believed you to be honest in
your political views and above the miserable preJu.
dices of the hour That while differing in political
opinions from your brethren of the SOUTH you had man
illness enough to attribute to them equal sincerity OF
purpose You upbrad US and abuse us for quitting
our native land and coming to Mexico when you knew
very well that there was full many federal prison
"ghping to receive u.s." When left our country
all the governors of the seeded States had either been
arrested orders that effect had been issued It
was also believed that every Confederate general
ard statesman would be arrested and turned over TO the
tender mercies of court martial. We can safely say
that If any guarantee had been held out that we would
not have been disturbed of would have expa-
trated ourselves. You, sir, would have done Just
we did unless you had been desrous of wearing tho
martyrs crown. You first abuse US for being rebels
and then denounce US for settling in Mexico. Wbero
else, in the name of Heaven, could we go? We could
not go north, nor east, nor west-we were compelled
to come south the only outlet for those who would
seek refuge in foreign land. When the Irish, Cana
dian and Cuban patriotswhen the Hungarian, Polish
opered your heart, and with true christian philan-
throphy, you have extended TO them your warmest
sympathy; but when your own countrymen, stripped
Of a their earthly goods, are expatriated and labor
ing with their own hands for humble living-for
bread TO keep life a1oat-sttauge to saw you can find
in your heart no nosympathy word of encouragement
bat rather the cool sarcasm and ribad Jest.
We have been very kindly received by the emperor
Macmillan aud the empress Carota They have per.
mited US, poor and pehhiless, to remain ii this en-
pre and to breathe the resh pure air of this lovely
climate. They have exhibited the generous
sympathy which you and your government have ever
shown to all exiles from foreign lands. For this We
are deeply sensible, and will feel grateful tc their
mnjesties Sill, none of US have entered into tho
military service of the empire. To our personal
knowledge, many have applied for service, but the
erlpGror has invariably declined Out of the largo
number of Confederates in this empire none
ARE heard to denounce their native land. There ars
nc ntas or secret gatherings to plot against the land
of their birth. You have never seen, and never will
see in this paper--the Mexican Times-an editorial
denoHncng the United States government Now, Mr..
Greeley why can't you let alone? Sir, christian
Ghhrisy, COMMON decency, and fair play would say,
let thCm alone; are free Of them, let them live
and Gle in peace" We have never injured you, wo
don't know you, we have desire to form your
acquaintance; but we beg you to let US alone. We
know that you hate us, and that if you had the power
you }Tonld not only persecute us to death in this
world but consgn us to that lake in the next which
The who has once been a Shareholder and
rebel gan enter "your heaven" In this very
charitable Judgment of yours, believe that the
christian world Will beg leave respectfully to differ
forin their opinion George Washington and Stonewa
Jackson stand today as well justified in the SIGHT Of
Almighty God George III or Abraham Lincoln
We believe the soldiers of the federal and Confederate
armies who fell in battle died Of disease will stand
at the bar of God and be judged alike irrespective of
their political tenets. You, sir, have arrived at the
age allotted By the Psalmst and must in the general
order Of things, be soon gathered to your fathers
You will die rich-roiling in wealth. while the unfor-
tunae men whom you daily abuse will leave behind
them scarcely enough to secure decent burial We
say that the time will come when you shall die
and be buried. We will meet, for each of US must
appear before the Great Judge to answer for the sins
committed on this earth. You will stand forth as the
wealthy Mr.. Greeley, with a copy of the late Tribune
the work of your long Iife-and you Wilt thank God
that you are not like the rebel STAKEHOLDER at whom
you Will point with sc6rn and contempt. we will ap-
pear with our broken sword in one hand and kpeel
ior pardon at the mercy seat. God will Judge us
both.
Now, Mr. Greeley, must part till chat great day
that day Of wrath--when we shall meet face to face
There was once in the classic land of the east pro
phetess who foret0ld the downfall of her native land
but her countrymen refused to believe until too late
when her prophecy was accomplished. She said
'',rhe day shall conle-that great, avenging day
Wien Troy proud glory in the dust shall lay
When Prams power and Priams self shall fall
And one prodigious ruin swallow all"
The text is in Homer: you can make your own com
mentar}. We have seen the aged grandsiFe, not Eko
Besarns, begging in the streets, but working with his
own hands for his daily bread we have seen the
noble, fhddleaged soldier, who had faced death on
hundred battle fields toiling from "early morn till
dewy eve, to few dollars to send back to his
young wife and babes. We have seen men who havo
filed high political stations and been en honor to their
country subject without murmur to all the discom-
forts of cruel poverty and exile We have seen the
brave exile stretched upon his dying bed, and as his
hour of dissolution approached, have witnessed his
tears OF affection and heard his farewell words and
messages sent to kindred and friends in father.Iand
But for this you have sympathy. You will answer
with ribald sneer Or "fool-born jest" You may
have been right in suppressng the revolution, but nc
man or woman who has particle of christian chari.
ty left ii his or her bosom, viii sustain you in perse-
cutting the conquered SOUTH or pursuing with such
yndictive hate the patriot exiles
We have the honor to subscribe ourseIf resDectf,l
ly, your obedent servant,
HENRY WATKINS ALLEx.