The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-11-30

The remarks to be offered on this subject
are addressed directly to the religious news.
papers OF the uOrthurn states. Ia publish.
ius last week the long communication Of
the Hon, Robert Ould, pertaining to the eA
change Of prisoners during the late war, we
distinctly disclaimed all purpose Of becom.
ing a party to any present political bearings
it might possibly be supposed to have. Nor
have We amy such purpose now, IN what we
deem It a bUuudeu duty to say 70 those who,
from their position and influence through
the public press, bear u heavy responsibility
for the character of that Impression which
the religious world receives at their hands
If any ask, then, why this matter is taken up
in a religious newspaper the answer is easily
given. 1t is to be found in the fact that
when in 1855 the war of the sword was
closed, it was almost Immediately followed
by an almost incredibly persistent and i'm.
placable war upon the character and repu.
tatlon Of the south The effort was to aiix
stigma upon us, to brand with infamy the
couurymen Of Washington, Of Madison, Of
Macon, Of Calhoun, of Crawford, and of
Andrew Jsckson-to bring an Indictment
against the humanity, the morality, the
Christianity Of the south, and thus degrade
and injure her people in the opinion Of
Cnristendom.
For this end the religious press was If
possible, more actively employed than the
political. With full opportunities of ob,er.
walton among the large list of our eXchang-
es, we cannot now recall to mind "a single
exception to the truth Of this remark, 1t
was not by the darpers and the Leslies only
that men in the most distressing condition
Of human suherng-ghasty Skeletons poor
creatures, wretched, raying and dying were
photographed, and the pictures (sec "Mc
A,isters' advertisement in the Phladelp hia
Presbyterian before the close of the war;,
scattered broadcast over the world as an ev.
idence Of the unparalleled brutality prac.
ticei upon federal prisoners in the south.
1t WAS in this way the scorn Of the civilized
world upon our people WAS besought. And
when delegates were sent to represent their
respective churches in foreign lands, they
seldom failed OF embracing eagerly the Cd.
poTtunIty to blaCken our name before Chris.
tan assemblies, and to hold up our people
in cOnnexiOn with the 'horror3 Of Auder
souv.e,' as SINNERS above all men"
1t IS in this condition Of the question We
think it incumbent upon US to present a few
things which, il it is not too presumptuous,
we hope the religious press of the north, 50
ready at other times to handle the matter
involved, may find it now reasonable, though
they may not be pleasant, to consider.
The startling array Of facts so clearly and
forcibly set forth by Judge Ould NAV be
summarily comprehended under the follow.
ing heads:
!. That the cartel for exchange Of prison
ers-solicited at first and obtained will
much difficulty by the confederate govern
meut-was observed only 50 long as the lat
ter held tie larger number of prisoners, ant
just as soon a. this was no longer the case
It was ShAmefuIIy violated by the fedora
officers
. That every possible concession wa:
made on the confederate side to secure
prompt exchanges, but was repeatedly made
in vain Overtures which would have Sc
cured the prompt release Of every prisoner
held by the cOntederates we're left entirely
uun0ticed
3. Finding the federas would not ex
change upon any terms, for the purpose o.
giving rehei to sufferers, to impart comfort
% 'r'r :uends, proposition was made Il
nav each side attended by proper humble
OF their own surgeons, and to have supple.
OF 1000, clothing. and medicine passed
through to each. No reply was ever made
~ that proposition.
!. Finally, after strong representations
had been repeatedly made Of the suferings
Of the federal prisouors-owing to our want
Of medicines aud food--aN of which were
entirely uuheeded by the federal authorities
the confederate government mex, proposed
to turn over all the sick and POUNDED min.
out asking an equivalent This offer-marb
lt!-wss left UNDECIDED through that whole
terrible summer and fall Of 1864.
5. During the same summer the confeder
ate authorities, being destitute of medicin,
for their own soldiers, offered to buy medi
cues from the United States for the use o
the federal prisoners, and pay gold, tobacco
or cotton for them at two or three prices, anC
furnish ample assurances that these medi
cines should be used only for the sick and
wounded federal prisoners. This offer too