American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-03-06

bhO A"tO"ibS pupClI Will SUIno
Seven-thirty United States bonds,
and certificates of shares in oil com
panies. Mr.. Clarke promptly hand
ed over the paper to Marshal Mil
ward, in whose custody 1t now re-
mains. From Q perusal Of this paper
it seems to have been prepared by
Booth as a vindicatien of some des-
perate act which he had in contem-
plation; and, from the language
used, it is probable that it was plot
to abduct the President and carry
him off 10 Virginia. If this was
meditated 1t failed, and his asSas
sination was an easy step for man
of perverted principles. 1t also ap
pears that Booth was one of the par
ty who was engaged in the capture
and execution of John Brown, of
Ossawattomie, at which time he
doubtless imbibed from Wise and
his associates those detestable senti
ments of cruelty which have culmi-
mated in an infamous crime. The
letter is as follows:
| -, -, 1864.
MY DEAR SIR You may use this
as you think best, But as some may
wish to know achen, soho and aohy.
and as l know not hotu to direct, L
give it, lin the words of your mas,
ter)
% To whom it msy concern: -
Right or wrong, God Judge me,
not man. For be my motive good
or bad, of one thing l am sure, the
lasting condemnation of the North.
| l love peace more than life. Have
loved the Union beyond expression.
For four years have / waited, hoped
and prayed for the dark clouds to
Jreak, and for a restoration of our
former sunshine, To wait longer
would be a crime. All hope for
peace is dead. My prayers have
proved as idle as my hopes. Gods
will be dom. go to see and share
the bitter end.
have ever held the South were
right. The very nomination OF
Abraham Lincoln, foul years ago,
spoke plainly, war-war upon South
ern rights and institutions. HIS
election proved it. await an
overt act" Yes, till you are bound
aud plundered What folly! The
South was wise. Who thinks of
argument or patience when the finger
of his enemy presses on the trigger ?
In a fOri, gn war I, too could say,
Country, right or wrong" But in
a struggle such as ours (where the
brother tries to pierce the brothers
hearty for Gods sake choose the
right. When country like thi:
spurns justice from her side, she for
feits the allegiance of every honest
freeman, ard should leave him, un
trammeled by any fealty whatsoever
to act as his conscience may approve
People of the North, to hate tyran
ny, to love liberty and justice, t.
strike at wrong and oppression, wa
the teaching of our fathers. Th'
study of our early history will no
let me forget it, and may it never.
: This country was formed for tn
, white, not for the black man. AM
g.. Looking upon African slavery iron
| the same standpoint held by tn
E noble trainers of our Constitution,
5 for one, have ever considered it on
t of the greatest blessings (both 70
themselves aud us) that God eve
bestowed upol a favored nation
, Witness heretofore our wealth an
| power; witness their elevation an
:, enlightenment above their race elst
where. have lived among it mos
d of my life, and have seen less hars
!. treatment from master to man tina
? l have beheld in the North trol
father to son. Yet, Heaven know
e no one would be willing to do NOR
), for the negro race than l, could
e but see a way to still better thei
Y condition.
g But Lincoln's policy is only pr
pairing the way for their total ann
7, hllation. The South are not, IL,
Ie have they been fighting for the co
70 tinuance of slavery. The first bait
l. of Bull Run did away with that ide
Their causes since for war have BET
t. as noble and greater far than tho
Iy that urged our fathers on. Eve
l should we allow they were wrong
y, the beginning of this contest, cruz
* ty and injustice have made t
e. wrong become the right, and tn
I'd stand now (before the wonder al
admiration of the world, as nob
le band of patriotic heroes. Hereaftt
l reading of their deeds, Thermory
~ will be forgotten.
ct When l aided in the capture a
ed execution of John Brown, who W
murderer on our western borde
IA and who was fairly tried and conui
ell ed, before an impartial judge a
Jury, of treason, and who, by t
way, has since heen made a god, >
was proud of my little share in t
transaction. for | deemed it my du
;, and that was helping our comm
L. country to perform all act of justi
But what was Il crime in poor 10
ID Brown, is now considered "by the
he sel,e eS," as the greatest and only '
as tue of the whole Republican par
il Strange IranSmigration 4! Vice
ar become rirtue, simply becar
n more indulge ii it.
to | thought then, as nOr, that
ho AbolitiOniSts 1cere the only traitors
tn. the land, and that the entire pa
is deserved the same fate of poor
er, Brown; not because they wish
lth abolish slavery, ur on account
an the me MS then have ever endeav
1r ed to Use TO eff ',.i that abolition
IN Brown gere |. Ing, doubt whet'
'n1 Ii Il i.