Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-06-26
Another Longstreet Letter.


Appended there will be found another
strong letter from General Longstreet in
which again, with a few ringing, nervous
words, he gives the points of the situation
with graphic force and power. These let
tiers of the ex-rebel leader are the best cam
paign documents yet issued. If they had
been written for the very purpose of being
used in Pennsylvania this fall they could
not be clearer or more telling. The war
was made upon Republican principles and
it seems to me fair and just that the settle
ment should be made accordingly" This
thoroughly honest, manly sentence must
bring the blush to every Democratic cheek
not lost to shame. Which is the most
creditable. the hero of Chickamauga, hon.
estly laboring to retrieve the ruined fortunes
of his country, or the Rip Van Winkle
Harrisburg convention still drivelling the
treason for which they were afraid to fight !?
We hope, says the Press, to see the Long
street letters published prominently in ev-
cry Union paper in Pennsylvania, and let
the Republican journals in each county
never rest until they have forced their pub
lication in the trembling sheets of their
Democratic contemporaries and neighbors.
The will fall like hot shot into the camp of
the Democracy. They convict that time
serving organization of cowardice and bad
faith.
How puerile and pitiful reads the Harris
burg platform beside the fresh, fearless ut
terances of the onest soldierl How con-
temptible the rear guard of rebellion con-
trasts with the devoted columns that charg-
all along the Confederate lines from Rich
mond to Chattanooga
1t may yet be expedient to invite Lieu
tenant General James Longstreet to Penn
sylvania as campaign orator this coming
election. We know of nothing that would
more advance the interests of our party and
cause, than to prove to the people of the
State how the intelligent and honorable
leaders of the late rebellion loathe and scorn
and repudiate as dishonest and dangerous
the modern bastard Democracy:
New ORLEANS, La, Friday, j une I, 1867
To the Editor of the Neao Orleans Times
In your paper of yesterday L notice the
following paragraph, viz: There is anoth-
er very extraordinary case exhibited in the
publication of letter from one of the brav-
est and stoutest of the late Confederate
generals, who gives in his adhesion to a
party whose whole policy seems to be one of
vindictive persecution of his late confeder-
ates In arms.
l think this paragraph is calculated to
mislead the public as to my views and mo-
tives. If my letter had been published
with the structures, should have had no
cause of complaint. Or if you had ex-
planned that its whole tenor was expressive
of desire to relieve my late confederates
in arms of the unnatural condition in which
they have been placed by the progress of
reoolution, should offer no complaint or
explanation upon your comments
1 an, ,oeN satisfied that order cannot be
Organized out of confusion as long as the
conflicting Interests of ticO parties are to be
suJserred. The ,car acas made upon Re
publican issues, and 1t seems to me fair and
gust that the settlement should be made &c
cordingly.
This conviction, together with the views
expressed IN my letter, and your invitation
in March last, to express my opinions on
PO4iliSSs, oiS "S OASucCS lOt SHOdhlDS duu
for making the concessions that | think due,
and for offering my counsel to the people.
If understand the object OF politics; it
is to relieve the distress of the people and
to provide for their future comfort The
course l advise will be sure to meet this
view and do justice to all In times of
great ease and comfort l should not presume
to interfere with politics, no matter what
technicalities or special pleadings might be
adopted by parties. But these are unusual
times and call for practical advice.
If the paragraph that | have quoted had
reference to my letter, ask that you will
do me the favor to publish this and my let
ter as soon as you may have convenient
space for them.
| remain, very respectfully, your most
obedlent servant, JAMES LoNGsTREET