Weekly Trinity journal., 1867-08-17
Another Tractable Rebel Coming into the
Traces.

The Louisville Journal publishes the following
letter, from the former rebel General jeff.
Thompson, to the editor Of that paper
LOUISVILLE, June 6, 1857.
My Dear Friend:-You desire me to write you
my feelings and opinions under the existing po-
litical condition of the country. Your friend
ship to me in the 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, VIII
comply with your request and in as few words
as possible express my present sentiments.
might cover the whole ground when say that
l heartily concur in the sentiments OF General
James Longstreet but General Longstreet was
professional soldier who fought like hero,
and surrendered like brave knight who has
been unhorsed, and he may not go far enough IN
his language TO place himself right before the
world, therefore I, who was civilian before the
war, and only buckled On my saber to contend
for certain ''rights'' (as was the case with the
armies on either side), can go farther than
General Longstreet, for l have resumed my So
cial status and have not changed my occupation.
tell you, then, plainly, that | have never
fought the United States because | hated the
United States. Inever fought the North because
hated the North. l did not desire to be one
iota freer than was under the flag of the Union !:
but there was an an abstract political principle
dollars worth of African slaves that / thought
could only be saved out Of the Union. From the
first hostile gun fired by John Brown, at Har-
per's Ferry, until the 9Th day of June, 1865,
when | surrendered my troops, was fair,
square and consistent enemy of Abolitionism
and those who fought its battles; but when des-
Oiation came, and starvation and ruin stared
our women and children in the face, followed
the example of my noble leaders-surrender
ell political rights and became one of a conquer
ed but still proud people. Our war had been no
"boys' play" Our surrender was no farce
No politician had aught to do with the finale
and our proudest and noblest simply received q
parole saying, he shall not be ntcrfered with
by the United States authorities, as long as he
observes this parole, and the laws in force where
he may reside"
This, then, was actual condition on July
/, 1865. In short time million of soldiers
stacked their guns and resumed the peaceful
pursuits of lie. And in two short years we
have taken giant strides in the march Of i'm
provcment and reconstruction. We have not
been asked to 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 fear? And they only,
have the right to make the laws, which we have
simply the right to observe or leave the country,
or remain aliens in our own land.
Inc proper pOIicy Tor the vlctOrS to pursue is
not my province to discuss, neither haze the
right to complain will presume to advise
Ican simply set my soldiers an example of pa
tience, industry and enterprise-to build up our
broken fortune and make the land bloom again
in peace, confidence and plenty; therefore | will
accept all courtesies and favors that the law may
grant nc, and not let my individual likes or dis
likes interfere with my duty to the country in
which my children at least have IN interest. |
can now but repeat what had occasion to write
once before. "Apologies for the past or prom
ises for the future would indicate want of con-
idence in my own integrity. | have simply done
what conceived to be my duty, and I propose
to do it now" The Confederate Government
wiped out State rights the first year after its ex
!stence-a bloody war wiped out slavery and
wiped out the Confederacy, so they are obsolete
ideas; and the plain question now presented is,
" viii you accept citizenship under our terms,
contained in the law?' and l emphatically
answer, Yes Let each aDd every white man in
the South say, g Abstract ideas obsolete the
ories shall not govern me, for shall look facts
in the face as they exist, and make the best out
of the future, without moping over the past. 1t
is not to be presumed that | shall be asked TO
compromise my honor, or be false to my friends,
for am compelled to obey the laws, and being
an clector simply gives opportunity to
make the laws more favorable le'-then will con-
fidence be restored, and plenty abound once
more. Yours most respectfully,
NJ JEFF. THOMPSON.