The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-18
SEMMES' .DEFENCE.
His Attempted Justification Of the Wholesale
Destruction Of American Commerce-How
He Secured the Alabama-A Con-
demning Judge on the High
Soas-Et tn JEFF

MONTGOMERY, WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, VAL
August IL, 1878. I
The Southern Historical Society, General Jubal
A. Early presiding, me, yesterday, and after the
transaction of some routine business Admiral r.
Semmes, late commander OF the Confederate
cruiser Alabama, was introduced to the association
which he addressed.
Mr.. Semmes said AS he wished to correct GER
tain points in his own career which had been as
sailed he felt honored at being the FIRST to address
the association, and excused himself for seemingly
being egotistica, as he desired to vindi
cate his own career. Men owe as duty
to posterity correct record OF the events OF their
times. Unbiased history could not be written
until the actors were hushed in death, and partci-
pators could not be impartial judges. But If they
could not write the history at least the data could
be furnished. He had been called pirate, buc-
cancer, privateer. His was nothing but a regularly
commissioned ship. The destruction of property on
land which represented the necessarics, was
the destruction Of property at sea, which was the
wealth OF the nation, by him, was called piracy.
mercs was sow 'n @atten anS tn Of %
that succeeded In most damaging the others
commerce was generally victorious; but It
steam. 1t had been his lot to command the first
steam frgatc, and her lame was due to this and
the high could be found In the laws Of nations
and sti more IN the acts 9th. OF The federal navy
was farccal. The blockade and the very
parole given them proved their rights US belger-
ents he % erng pG Sa Gnghd gave
she was armed and equipped out OF England
Her commission was read upon her quarter
deck, and her Gag uniurled on the high
seas The federal government had for year be-
fore the purchase OF the Alabama negotiated with
her builders Tor similar vessels. He got her by
paying more This fact he established by proof.
TO reute the claim that England should lave held
Of al any the e and te 20 .
this government, citing the Santissama Trinidad.
He mex: referred to the wars OF l776 and 1912.
He quoted extensively from Cooper and cited Paul
Jones and others. The part taken by Franklin and
the state OF Massachusetts, in lurthering nautical
surprise, Revenge and other cases as analogous
were plainly dissected in referring to the Geneva
grandfather and grandson; in the elder Adams
using money obtained from the sale or captured
ships to ad the cause and the other denying these
OF admiralty to sit on his captures His own ports
being sealed, he did the next best thing he could
court co in his cabin, ana condemned every snip
before he burned it. He referred to his arrest, and
to himself from Judge Advocate Bowlcs, from the
5ansac MonE nc also GieG the a, case OF the
s9oTY Of This country must be one Our s
i would only, be an episode in that Of
now Transporting II this government was merely merely
bered 1t would 60 as other republics had done.
II that time comes we Will be regarded with ap-
proving eyes, having hazarded all We possess to
save the liberties of the people secured by fore
fathers. II the party IN power took new depar
ture then we would still be looked upon
as q people who hazarded their all for
principle and honor, who were superior to their
worldly interests. The failed to deprive us OF
our country. Nor arc we without hope that we or
our pOsterlty may carry US back to the pure gov
eminent OF our fathers. We are destined to live
together as one people. Let us snow magnanimty
to our enemies, and where they deserve 1t let
us join in the perpetuation Of their fame. sol
der cannot be Q sectarian, and he can advise his
brother soldier without losing any OF his love for
the South. English history Is written, but there
| Is no separate history Of the Red or White
| Roses. They were only episodes and so
| would our war be In the time to come.
He was willing to leave his history and that OF the
| Alabama, the Florida and Shenandoah to be writ
| ten when there will be cherished no more South,
more North Let US then preserve our records and
archives. Our society must not be sectarian. II
| our government Is to be government OF the ma.
j0rity without constitutional restrictions our DAYS
| are numbered, aud when that time comes we VIII
| DO indicated and honored for our struggle Ior
constitutional liberty; but II, on the other manu-
| we come back to the constitution, as was unaei.
| stood by the Fathers OF the Republic our COURSE
| will commend itself to all men. ,, ,,,
Jefferson Davis arrived here last nign. anu WIZ