New-York tribune., 1867-09-12


THE SOUTH.
Gen. Jeff Thompson has addressed the fol-
lowing circular letter those who under his com
mand during the late war:
Boston, Mass. Sept. 3, 1857.
GENTLEMEN: / have received various letters from
among You, asking what mean by my letter 10 MI'
Prentice of The L0iSriUe Journal. ndorsing Gen Long
street and what advice have TO Oner you as TO yo
political course have delayed answering these elters
In hopes that would return TO NewQrleans bnt,
finding that return for several weeks, ana otneT
letters having come that will brook no deay, nave ue
termined 20 address you circular that may no longer
be misepresented and misunderstood among thoss WHO
were nv true friends in darkest hours and with
whom have shared 80 many hardsbps ana dangers sue
cesses and defeats. ,
one of the letters received contains the gst Of AL and
will it II says Longstreet rs forever damned
throughout the country which became the thee oI MS
immortality and your old friends are not reserved ~
their anathenas against yon GIVE me SON some ny
with which to defend you for am TOO wei ae4uanlel
with the spirit which animated you IN our disastrous
struggle with your cheerful endurance OF suffering ana
your persistent feay 10 the last TO believe tba you
abandoned your devoted followers or have relnqushed
the principles memories Of the past =,
For Gods sake what has Longstreet done 10 damn hini
for what am mathematical from what DO neea de
1ense The war produced no purer on bravet man ~ tl M
Gen james Longstreet and surely rom he nse 20 ,ne
have proved myself 20 be faithful and true ana
aey any man. uo 70 po iSa STeatbes want Of love for our
people or 10 fact stated that cannot be substanated
am aware that scribblers have assiled me- but
"hey belong TO the Tray Blanche and order
who simply obey the instincts Of their own natures Dy
barking at what tney 40 moi hoi sni%nr W doubt an
others honesty because he may dnef WIN MN III te
4
abiding faith that they Will Iet any cuhiaoe nave he
privilege 10 exercise his own Judgment as 10 the pest
10 build mp the country without Deg ahathema
fIzed aud l. who was leader IN the beginning, and a
follower at the end and who during the whole struggle
was with you at the front or prisoner OF war VIII posi-
tivelv assert and manfly maintain my right 10 express
my opinions freely upon all subjects aeetng the welfare
OF the South to and among SOuthrons without rear OF
favor from chmerical theorists bOmbproOf politicians
II the TO defend the SOuth III the exercise Oi r
belief OF the right 10 secede then DO not regret the gh
Though NAV have TO grieye the death Of ts theory
II the 10 preserve African Slavery then 90 not
regret struggle though do gTeye over the loss OF
A. 600 600 600 worth OF property and the sad fate that
awaits the poor negro but We fonght iOuf years Simply
for the personal triumph OF some political partlsaIs "A
il ruined only because they excluded from office, then
sincerely regret the conflict, and VIII greve anew over
the graves Of the brave who fell around me.
must again repeat that -" did not fght the United
States because hated the United States did not fight
the North because hated the North, but fought Tor
what conceived TO be the honor the safely ana he ma
eral interests OF the southern m peopg. ".u ,n n
object, and will make as many sacrlhces ana aDOr as
earnestly and persstenty as any man IN me so9th 70
control the political elements 10 devise plans and pro
iects and put in successful operation enterprises thht
will bnild up our poor desolaed and mpo. eonn,
try This is what the south reaiy nds TINS is All ne
truly patriotic Of the North ask and VIII advocate
the best plans IN my Judgment 10 % e 1ec.
regardless OF who originates or supports ihen Wnlgs'
Democrats, Federals, Republicans Radicals ConScrVa
This is ali the defense need. Tell the people am
still for the honor, safety and material PROSPERITY OF tne
manly struggle yet | must bid the living look 10 the
An
Atlantic 70 the Pacific from the Lakes TO the Gulf
Tell them TO remember that political theories IKE
minds Of the bgoted aud foolish, and demagogues
only too apt 70 nsapPly these terms, 70 msend them
means aud by revolutions and when changed arc to be
obeyed and the Lessons SID experience teaches are not
Needed then people unit for sefg0Vernment, ana
the sad fate OF Republican Mexico will be our lot The
extent OF the limits 10 States Rights is argued by Thomas
Jefferson Alexander Hamilton and The rights 70 own
slaves submitted 10 the arbrramenI o the sword
and, in my opinion they were decided both asaInst US
hmm
can remember bnt too well the years OF excitement
and injury to the country from the conflict on these
theories I'm Kansas and late with It's stricken
fields It's bloody graves the ruin ana desolation which
AZ in any mans in the whole South and while remember
inc te dread past must receive its lessons ana not
@ i over dead theories but look TO the lice issues OF
the present and future for though may De dlsrhh,
chised. it is still my duty 20 heip dst1fe % ~ ah
widows and orphans soldiers ana my sahes'
and on ali practical questions affecting the material IN
ieress such as Banks. Tariffs Taxes suffrage Internal
and Revenues VIII DC fouhd as true 10
the South as I was in her stormiest holrs. o..
All now agree that, by right OF revolution our states
were out OF Fedela Union and our Government was
G Grio Government therefore II conQuerors think
iht safety or Justice Ieanes that the conditions upon
which these states may De readmilttd ibto w. cio
Snail e tina, orr leaaeis the iied anu prominent states
nn-t be denied se lig 20 vote or bod on', e. anu @
also polii!ea! equality innst be extended 10 lne nc
Craftsmanship, yet must accept these terms or 40
worse for cannot stay out stop tbt march OF events
the power is st in ihe hands OF political enemies
few years will demonstrate the VISION fallacy OF
their theories and during this probation W snould woIK
70 build up broken fortunes and prove Ourselves
worthy 10 De trusted: therefore, advise you not 10 NOPE
the past, but remember our Los auso only AS
the widowed husband remembers his bride when ne ookr
upOn his theIess children, accept OIL ltcal pITN
icgcs that may be granted you and en without Delng
actuatcd by hatred revenge neitJer ~ "hch are
sOdiery scnlnleuts strive naDfuly iOr 1he true inter
ess Of your State and Country, ny ~Oih hs ~ ucFe"P
her rcsOurces an ID increase her wealth
Should di'er with others as 10 the DehL Ians 10
i'm one Common CrTse which should ne, as ~ once
was the greatness and glory Of the whole United btates
This Is what told yo at our surrender al Jacksoypor
in June lSGS-this is she substance OF NY letter ~ hi
Prentceand urge il upon you now ana II iof i1s H.
am 10 be anathematize, let tbe dogs bark until tus
'~- n. JETy. THOMPSON.