Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-07-02
[I-eOu .he I.lui.rills frr..l Isnrn.i,

LOUISVILLE, June 10, 1857
GeoE9e D. I'rcRficc, Esq:
bIy BsaF Friend. You, desire me 70 Viz,
You my feelings aud Opinioss Jlutler the exist.
ing political condition of the COUNTRY. Yo,-.
friendship to me Ia the dark dsss of de lato,
war, while we were politically enemies. gives.
you the right to command my services in any
way that canratuEn your kindueSs. and. slere.
fure will comply with your request. and in
as few words possible express my present
sen iments.. l might cover the whole ground
when l say that | heartily concur In the SEN
timents Of Gen. James LOugstreet; but Gen.
LongStreet was professional soldier. vpho
fought like herO, and surrendered like a
brave knight who has been unhOrsed, aud he
may not 90 far enough IN his language to piaso
himself right before the world therefore, l.
who was civilian before the war, and only
buckled on nay sabre to contend for certain
" rights, las was the case with the armies
on either side,) can go further than GeHeral
Longstreet, toe have resumed my soeial
status and have not changed nv CccupatioD.
tell You, then. Plainiy, that never fought
the United States because hated the Uuued
States. never fought the North bcsaase'I
hated the North. did not desire to be one
inta treer than l was under the flag of the
Union but there was an abstract political
prIucip!e of Stale rights and four thousand
millions OF dollars worth of African slaves
that l thought could only be saved Gu; OF the
Union. From the first hostile qua fired bv
john Brown at Harper's Ferry uhril the 5th
day ot June, 1865, when surrendered INV
troops, L was fair, square. aud consistent
enemy OF abOlitiOnism and those who fought
their battles but when desolatiOu came, aud
starvation aud ruin stared our women and
children iuthe face, followed the example Of
my noble leaders-surrendered ell ralitical
rights and became one of conquered but still
proud people. Our war had been no boys
play" Our surrender was no farce: 10
politician lad aught to do With the tiuule, aud
our PrOudsst and nObless simply received
parole saying "he shall not be iuteriered with
by the United States authorities as long as he
observes this parole aud the laws in force where
he may reside" This, thea, was our actual
condition on July 1, 1865. In a short time
a million of soldiers stacked their guns aud
resumed the peaceful pursuits OF life. Aud
IN -wo short years we hnEs takcn giant strides
in the march Ufimprovemcnt and IesonstfIc-
ton. We have not been asked ~ love tho
dominant party, nor to kiss the rod that smote
Us ; but the victorious have the right to say,
"Shall VIC make tbs brave men our friends by
C urtesy, or shall we make the towards friends
t,rou-h fear Z" And they only have Il O.
the right to obey, or leave the country, or re-
main aliens IN our own land
The proper policy for the victorsto pursue
is not my province to discuss, neither have L n
right to complain; nor will presume to adj
wise: can simply set my soldiers an exam
pie of patience, industry, aud enterprise to
build up our broken fortunes. aud make the
land bloom again in peace, confidence, and
plenty; therefore | wall accept all couriescs
and tavors thai tho laws may grant me-, and
not let my individual likes or disiikes iuier-
tere With my duty to the country in which
my children at least have an interest can
now but repeat what had occasion to write
once beiUrc: Apologies for the past OF prom.
Ises for the future would indicate a want of
confidence III my own integrity. I have sim
ply done what l. conceived to be my duty,
umd propose to do it now" The CUnird~
crate Government wiped out State rights he
first year OF its existeuce-a bloody war wiped
out slavery, aud wiped out the CuDfederacy :;
so they.are obsolete ideas and the plain Ioes-
tiOn now presented is, ''Will you accept clti-
zcusltlp under our terms rs contained in this
law" aud empIaticnlly answer, Yes !! Lat
each and every white 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 the flu
tire without moping over the past. IrisBOt
to be presumed that | shall be asked to COM
promise my honor, or be false to my friends,
for | am compelled to obey the Laws, aud
being an elector simply gives INC an oppor-
tuuity to make the laws more tavurAblc"-
then will confidence be restored aud plent9
abound once more.
Yours, most respectfully,