The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1867-09-04
General M, jeff. Thompson on tho PoGti-
cal Situation. @
LOUISVILLE, Juno 16, 1867,

3
cal Situation.
LOUISVILLE, June 16, 1867.
George d. Prentice, Esq
Ny DEAR FRIEND: You desire mo
TO write you my feelings and opinions
under the existing political condition of
the country. Your friendship to mo in
tho dark days Of the late war, while we
were politically enemies, gives you the
right to command my services in any
way that | can return your kindness
and therefore | will comply will, your
request, and in as fow words as possible
express my present sentiments. might
cover tho whole ground when | say
that heartily concur in The sentiments
ct General Jamcs Longstreet but
longstrcct was Il professional soldier,
who fought like a hero aad surrendered
like knight who has been unhorsed,
and he may not go far enough in his
language to place himself right before
the world therefore |, who was civil
IAN before the war. and only bucklcd on
my sabre contend for certain "rights,
(as was the case with the armies on ci.
lhcr sidc,) can go further than Gen.
Longstrcct, for have resumed my So
clai status and have not changed my
occupation.
tell yon, then, plainly, that l never
fought the United States because hated
tho United States. nevor fought the
North because hated the North. |
did not desire to be one iota rrcer than
was under the flag Of tic Union: but
there was an abstract political principle
OF States rights, and four thousand mil.
lion dollars worth of African slaves,
that | thought could only be saved ont
| Of Union. From the first hostile gun
fired by John Brown at lTarpcra Fer.
ry until tho fifth day OF June, 1865,
when surrendered my troops, was a
lar, square, and consistent enemy Of
a0olltlonism and those who fought their
battles, but when dcsolation came.
and starvation ana 1uin stared our
women and children in the face, l fol.
lowed the example Of my noble leaders
surrendered allpoiticai rights and be.
came one OF the conquered but still
proud people. Our war has been no
boys play" Our surrender was no
iarcc. No politician had auglt to do
with the finale, and our proulcst
and noJlcst simly received parole say.
ing, che shall not be intcrfcrcd with by
the United States authorities as longas
he observes his parole and the laws in
force where he may reside" This then,
was our actual condition on July 1865.
In short time million cf soldiers
stacked their guns and resumed the
peaceful pursuits ofhfe. And in two
short years we have taken giant strides
in the march Of improvement and recon-
struction. We have not been asked 20
love the dominant party, nor to kiss the
rod that smotc us; but the victors have
the right to say, shall we make the
brave men our friends by courtesy, or
shall we make the towards friends
through fcar?" And they, only have
the right 10 obey, or leave the country,
or rcmain aliens in our own land.
The proper policy for the victors to
pursue is not my policy to discuss, nci.
ther have l n right to complain; nor will
! presume to advise. l can simply set
my soldiers an example Of patience. III
dustry and cntcrpriso-to build up our
borkon fortunes and make tho land
bloom again in peace. confidence, and
plenty therefore will accept all courte-
sizes and lavors that the law may grant
me, and not let my individual likes or
dislikes interfere with my duty to the
country i'll which my children at least
have an interest. / can now but repeat
what / had occasion to repeat once be.
fore "Apologics Tor the past or prom.
ises for tho future would Indicate want
o. confidence in my own integrity.
lave simply done what conceived TO
pc my duty and propose to do it now"
The Confederate government wiped ont
State rights the first year OF It's existence
"a bloody war wiped out slavery, and
wiped out the Conlcdcracy, go they are
obsolete ideas; and the plain question
now presented is, "Will you accept
cltlzcnshpip under our terms as contained
in this law 2" and l cmphalically an
swcr, yes. Let each and every whto
man in the South say, abstract ideas
or obsolete theories shall not govern me
Tor | will look facts in the face as they
exist, and make the best out of tho fu-
tnrc without moping over the past. 1t
is not TO be presumed that | sllail be
asked to compromise my honor or be
ialsc to my friends, for am compelled
to obey tho laws, and being all elcclor
simply gives me an opportunity to make
the laws more favorable then will
confidence be restored, and plenty
abound once more.
Yours, most respectful y,
NJ. JEEF. THOMPSON.
GENERAL SICKLEs' ARGUMENT