New-York tribune., 1867-06-25
THE SOUTHERN STATES.
ory. NJ. JEFF THOMPSON ENDORSES THE SENTIMENTS
OF GEN. L0NGsTREET.
The Lamar lK

ory Al. IEFF. THOMPSON ENDORSES THE SENTIMENTS
OF GEN. LoNGsTREET
The Louisville (Ky) Journal
LOUISVILLE, June 10, 1867
GEORGE d. PRENTICE, esq-My tDear Friend: You
desire me TO write you my feelings and opinions under the
exng political condition of the country Your friend
shin 10 me the dark days of the late war; while we were
politically enemies gives you the right to command my
services any way that retun your kindness and
therefore will comply with your request, and few
words possible express my present sentiments
1 might cover the whole ground when ] say that
! heartily concur in the sentiments of Gen. James
Iongstrect; but Gen LOngstreet was prOfes-
sona soldier who fought like hero, and surrendered
like brave knight who has been unhOrsed and he may
not enough in his language place himself right
before the world therefore l. who civilian before
the and only ouekled on my saber to contend for
certain rights" Cas was the case with the armies
either sdel, can 90 further than Gen Longsreet for
have resumed social status and have rot changed my
occupation tell you then plainly that never fought
The United States because hated the United States /
never fought the North because hated the North did
not desire to be one ota freer than was undor the flag
=" the Union hut there was abstract political princi
ole of state rights and four thousand millions of dollars
be saved ont OF the Union. From the first
hostile gun fired by John Brown, at Harpers
surrendered my troops, fair. square, and conss-
tent enemy of abolnOnism and those who fought their
run stared aud children in the face followed
the example OF my noble eaders-surrendered all polti
cal rights and became of conquered but still proud
people. our war had been no " boys play" Our sur
Inc finale and our prOudest and nObest simply received
uaroe saving he shall not be inteTfeTcd with by the
Tinted states authorities long he observes the pa
role aud the force where he may reside" This
tbcu was our actual condition July I, 1865 In short
finn. million OF soldiers stacked their guns and resumed
be peaceful pursuits of life. And in two short years we
have taken giant strides in the march of Improvement
ana reconstruction We have not been asked ito love
he dominant party, TO kiss the rod that smote us
but the victOrS have the right say, Shall we make
The our friends by courtesy, shall make
the towards friends through fear r. And they only have
the right make the laws which have simply the
right obey leave the country remain aliens in
our land. The proper policy for the victOrs pur
sue province 10 discuss neither have right
TO complain; nor will presume 10 advise. | can simply
set my soldiers an example OF patience industry and
terprse 10 build up our broken fortunes and make the
land bloom again in peace confidence and plenty there
foe, will accept al cOureses and favOTs that the laws
grant and not let my individual likes dslikes
interfere with my duty to the country in which chill
dFcn at least have an interest. can but repeat
what had occasion to write before apologies for
the past promises for the future would indicate
O confidence in my own integrity. / have simply done
what conceived 10 be my duty, and propose TO do il
rights the first year OF its eXstencea bloody war wiped
slavery and wiped out the Confcderacy they
obsolete ideas; and the plain question presented is
-Nill you accept citizenship under terms
tanned in this law T. and emphatically Yes Let
each and every white in the South say: Abstract
ideas obsolete theories shall not me- Will
look facts in the face they exist and make the best out
be presumed that shall be asked to compromise nv
honor, or be false TO my friends, for compelled 10
obey the laws, and being electOr simply gives
opportunity to make the laws more favOrahle-thcn will
confidence be restored and plenty abound once more.
Yours, most respectfully. NJ. JEFF. THOMSON