Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-10-02
Interesting Letter from Hon. Jacob
Thompson.
DUBLIN. IRELAND. iAuo. III 1866.

To Capt. Hiltiqps D9iaaey: .-.5,i Is.
My DEAR SIR :r-Y YouI interesting letter,
|. Of the 18th ultimo,! was received by me on
!, yesterday, and the only way in which Loan
manifest the unqualified pleasure it giyss4ne,
is by making you an immediate reply. i
never knew until il was cast out ah exile,
without home or country, and apparently with
out friends, how necessary to human happi-
ness is human Sympathy A stranger in
strange land, caring for nobody, nobody caring
for me, determined, for my pleasure and
improvement, toyisit the principal scenes of
historic interest, and thus familiarize myself
with the story of those who had gone before
me. L went to Paris, which, take it all in
all, is the pleasantest city in the world. and
there remained until could re-read her his
tory and learn something Of the French Ian
guage. Then L went to Switzerland, and
visited the retreats of the different distin-
guished exiles, who, in the Violence of party,
had been driven from this place of quiet and
safety. went to Rome, the home of the
greatest men and purest patriots, whose his
tory adorns the annals of the past, and there
| remained two months, industriously employ
ed all the time in examining the ruins of for
mer greatness and grandeur, never feeling
the slightest interest in the living, but alb,
sorbed with thoughts, principles, and actions
of the mighty dead. Then went to the de-
lightful city of Naples delightful for its
climate and situation, not for its people; here
was the seat ofroyalty now in banishment- =
Then to Egypt, the cradle of letters and learn
ing; then to Palestine, to tread the ground our
Saviour trod, to see the places where he per-
formed his glorious works, to climb the sides
of Mount Olivet, to stand on Mount Calvary,
drink the waters from the pool of Sloan, and
gaze upon the tomb where they laid his body,
and which could only retain it for its appoint
| ed time. From here [ think came away a
better man. 1 returned through the Greek
| isles, of vast interest to the student, up the
AdrlatIc to Venice, most singular place,
with a marvellous history. Thence through
Vienna, Munick, Frankfort, Cologne, and
brussels, to Paris again. Here Mrs. Thomp-
soL lett-yearning to see the land we both
had loved, and love still; but / could not 90
with her, andwhy? Was it because feared
to meet there the penaltestof offended law?
Was it because trials might be instituted and
proofs be produced which would afix stig-
ma upon my name? No! It was because /
felt that there was no Constitution or law in
the South for the protection of my rights.
1t was because the arbitrary will of an officer,
guided by prejudice and passion, which have
been excited by the grossest ISLANDERS aud
toulest tasehoods, might arrest, incarccrate,
and in thousand ways'annoy me, and
could have no remeday.
When civil rights are restored; when the
military officer becomes subject to law, and
for any violation of the rights of the citizen,
the courts who have the right to iu1ct on
him condign punishment, then will be hap
py to return and take my old friends by the
hand; for assure you that with all her faults
love my country. There is no other such
country in the world. | have visited every
kingdom and people which have any position
among the nations of the earth, and with the
intcntion-if ever could fluid an acceptable
place-to settle down and gather my little
family about me, and there, in quiet, spend
the remainder of my days; but l find no
place in which am willing to leave my FAM
lily. No, for good or evil, the best country is
the United States; and if there could only
be security OF person, property and reputa-
ton, it would be the most desirable Country
on earth. AT all events, those dependent on
me, want them to remain and abide the fate
and destiny of their country. What shall be-
come of me is but of little conscquenco-m
days of usefulness are past My sun is fast
fastening to itssetting but my will shall be that
when lite's fitful fever is oyer, my body shall
be buried beneath the soil which has been
fattened with the blood of my ancestors in
the struggle for its Independence With
these feelings, you can easily imagine how
highly 1 appreciate any evidence of kindness
and good will from those who are to keep
vigils over my grave. Your petition is we'll
intended. am thankful to eacll and every
one who signedit 1 regard it as friendships
offering; but 1 fear it will be unavailing. In
deed, it will be of no use. Mr.. johnson is
or may be well disposed, but yielding to the
suggestions of q deep, designing malignancy
on the part of others, he has inflicted upon
me gross injustice he has inflicted upon me
grievous wrong in denouncing me as an eS-
capped .felon. believe he knows and feels
it, but fear he is like all other men-the
moro groundless the reason for his injury the
more obstinate he will be in refusing to make
reparation. Moreover, the President cannot
act for fear of the denunciations of the Rad
icals, if he were ever SO we'll disposed. I
would be unwilling to embarrass him with
anything on my account, for | honestly be-
ieve if he succeeds there is some hope of
the country. If he fails, the Constitution is
buried, civil rights will become bY-words,
liberty is gone, and deep gloom of inevita-
bic darkness hangs over the destiny of the
greatest people in thesworld 1 weigh not
my own fate as feather in the balance; |
only hope to live until shall have power.un-
der the law to prosecute the perjurer and in
fict punishment upon those who have wrong
ed me. And, although have knclt at the
tomb of our Saviour, yet / fear that the pun
ishment that awaits the evil doer in the next
world will be too long in its coming.
Your friend,
j. THOMPSON.
E