Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1867-07-10
LOUISVILLE. June Is, 1867.

1OCIoN lille dhC ~, 1oot
George d. Prentice, Esq.
MY DEAR FRIEND You desire me to
write you my feelings and opinions un-
der the existing political condition of the
country. Your friendship to ME in the
dark days of the last war, while we were
political enemies, gives YOU the right to
command my services in any way that |
can return your kindness, and therefore L
will comply with your request, and in as
few words as possible express my senti-
ments. | might cover the whole ground
when | say that heartily concur in the
sentiments of General James LOngStreet,
but General LongstTeet was profession
nj soldier, who fought like a hero, and
surrendered like brave knight who was
unhorsed, and he may not go far enough
in his language 10 place himself right be-
fore the world; therefore l. who was n
civilian before the war, and only huckled
on my sabre to contend for certain rights
las was the case with the armies on either
side | can go further than General Long
street, for L 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 desire TO be one iota freer than | was
under the flag of the Union: but there
We're abstract political principles of States
rights, and four thousand millions of dol
lars worth of African slaves that | tho't
could only be saved OUt of the Union
From the first hostile gun fired by John
Brown at Harper's Ferry until the 5th
day OF June, 1865, when surrendered my
troops, | was fair, Square, and consistent
enemy Of abOlitlOniSm and those who
fought their battles; but when desolation
came, and starvation and ruin stared our
women and children in the face, follow
ed the example of my noble lcaders-sur-
rendered all political rights and became
one Of a conquered but still proud people.
Our war had been mo boys play" Our
surrender was no farce. No politician
had aught to do with the finale, and our
prOudest and noblest simply received pa
role saying, " he shall not he interfered
with by the United States authorities, rs
long as he observes this parole, and the
laws in force where he may reside.n This
then, was our actual condition on July lst,
1865. IN "A short time million of soldiers
stacked their guns and resumed the peace
ful pursuits of life. And in two short
years we have taken giant strides in the
march of improvement and TecOnstruc-
ton. We have not been asked to love the
SSAl t4tI ~ II lS7 tilt lNI lIill
smote us but the victors have the right
10 say, "shall we make the brave men
our friends through courtesy. or shall we
make the towards friends through fear?''
And they, only, have the right 10 make
the laws, which we have simply the right
10 obey or leave the country, or remain
aliens in our land.
The proper policy for the victors to pur-
sue Is not my province TO discuss, neither
have | a right To complain, nor will
presume to advise. | can simply set my
soldiers an example of patience, industry
and enterprise, To build up our broken
fortunes and make the land bloom again
in peace, confidence aud plenty; there
fore | will accept all courtesies and favors
that the law may grant me, and not let
my individual likes or dislikes interfere
with my duty to my country in which
my children at least have an interest.
can now but repeat what | had occasion
To write once before: Apologies for the
past or promises for the future would i'll
dicaJe a want of confidence in my own
integrity. | have simply done what |
conceived to be my duty, and l propose
10 do ii nOw.N The Confederate Govern
ment wiped out States Rights the first
year of its eXistence-a bloody war wiped
out slavery, and wiped ont the COnfeder-
acy, so they are obsolete ideas. " VIII YOU
accept citizenship under our terms as con-
tanned in this law?" and | emphaticaliy
answer Yes! Let each and every white
man in the South say, " Abstract Ideas or
obsolete theories shall not govern me, for
l shall look facts in the face as they exist,
and make the best out Of the future, with
out moping over the past. 1t is not to be
presumed that l shall be asked TO com
promise my honor, or be false to my
friends, for I am compelled to obey the
laws, and being an elector simply gives
me an opportunity to make the laws more
favorable'-then will confidence be re-
stored, and plenty abound once more. .
Yours most respectfully.
NJ. JEFF. THOMPSON.