The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-07-11
Another Ex-rebel General on the Situation
jeff ThOmnson's Viaws


The Louisville JeUrnaG publishes the fol-
lowing letter from the rebel General JEFF.
THOMPSON, to the editor of that paper
LOUISVILLE, June 6, 1867.
My DEAR FRIEND You desire me to
write you my feelings and opinions under
the existing political conditions of the
country. Your friendship to me in the dark
days of the late war, while we were politi
cal enemies, gives you the right to com
nand my services In any way that can
return your kindness, aud therefore | will
comply with your request and in as few
words as possible express my present SEN
timents. might cover the whole ground
when | say that heartily concur in the
sentiments Of Gen James Longstreet; but
General Longstreet was a professional sol
der who fought like hero and surrender
ed like brave knight who had been I'M
horsed; and he may go far enough in his
language to place himself right before the
world therefore I, who was a civilian be-
fore the war, and only buckled on my sabre
to contend for certain rights Gas was the
case with the armies on either side | can
go further than Gen. Longstreet, for have
resumed my social status and have not
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 de-
sire to be one iota fteer than was under
the flag of the Union; but there was an
abstract political principle of state rights
aud four thousand millions of 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 Harper's
Ferry until the 9TH day Of June, 1865, when
! surrendered my troops, was fair, square
aud consistent enemy Of abolitionism and
those who fought their battles but when
desolation came, and starvation stared our
women and children in the face, followed
tine example of our noble leaders-surren-
dered all political rights, and became one
of a conquered but still proud people Our
war was no boys play Our surrender
vas no farce. No politician had aught to
do with the finale, and our proudest aud
noblest simply received parole saying she
shall not be interfered 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 our actual
condition on the 1st day of July, 1865 In
a short time million of soldiers stacked
their guns and resumed the peaceful pur.
suits of men. Aud in two years we have
taken giant strides in the work of improve
ment and reconstruction. We have moi
been asked to love the dominant party, MOI
to kiss the rod that smote us /; but the vic
tors have the right to say, ''shall we make
the brave men our friends by courtesy, o.
shall we make the towards friends through
fear?" And they only, have the right t.
make the laws which we have simply th,
fright to obey, or leave the country, or re
main aliens in our own land
The proper policy for the 7ictors to pur
sue is not my province to discuss, neithe
have | right to complain; nor will pre-
lsnIne to advise. | can simply set my sol
diers an example of patience, industry an,
enterprise-to build up our broken fortune
aud make the land bloom again in peace
cept all courtesIes and favors that the law
may grant me aud not let my individua
likes or dislikes interfere with my duty t
the country in which my children at leas
have an interest. ] can now but repea
what had occasion to write once before
apologies for the past or promises for th
future would indicate a want of confidenc
in my own integrity. have simply don
what | conceived to be my duty, and pro
pose to do it now" The confederate gov
ernment wiped out state rights the frs
year after its existence-a bloody war wipe
out slavery, and wiped out the confederacy
$50 they are obsolete ideas, and the plai
Iquestion now presented is, "Will you &C
cept citizenship under our terms as contain
ed in this law ~ and | emphatically answer
yes Let each and every man in the soutI
isay. Abstract ideas or obsolete theorie
shall not govern me, for l will look fact
III the face as they exist, an
make the best out of the future, withou
moping over the past 1t is not to be pre-
sumed that [ shall be asked to compromis
my honor or be false to my friends, for
am compelled to obey the laws and beiDi
an eector simply gives me an opportuuit
to make the laws more favorable'-the
will confidence be restored, and plent
abound once more.
Yours most respectfully,
NJ .JEFg THOMPSON.