The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1875-09-18
Response to JEFF. Davis.
ROCKFORD, Angst %.
Editor Memphis Ap1,eal:

L0ttc' AheMpn|S HplNnt'
The ripple Of political agitation and
discussion, which the publication of
my engagement Will, lis exccllency
Jefferson Davis, produced in this
otherwise christian and loyal COM
munity. has circled to the furtl.cst
boundaries of the Republic. In our
invitation to the honorable Express
iaent, the representative III an eminent
degree OF the genius and aspirations
Of the South, we aimed to remove the
last impedimcnt to the emancipation
Of the entire community from the
thra|l,|om of sectional pre- ndice and
resentments, and unite our policy and
destiny in perfect amity bcnrith the
folds Of the one banner OF Il restored
and united nationality. We wished
to demonstrate in diviner amplitude
the sincerity and imlartiality Of that
chivalrous and fraternal feeling that
inspired the soldiers of Fitzhush Lees
Palmetto legion and those "t' Mas
sachnsetts to bury their enmities in
the classic soil of Bunker Hill.
Ten long years Of u bitter accept
ance of the irieversible results Of
civil war upon the part Of the chival-
rons Sonth should 10 sufficient to
write higher law Of general amnesty
than Pr sidents can grant upon the
heart and sympatl,ics of every North
ern citizen an amnesty embracing in
it's broad philanthropy tho restora.
ton Of all lights, privileges and i'm
munities that existed "when North.
ern and Southern blood mingled in
common sacrifice on Mexican soil" 4 /.
The Grand Army Of this section, by
no means embracing in its vindictiye
remonstrance, the full expression Vt
! the so1dierly sentiment and honor
among us, lost it's granlest "pp"rtu-
nifty to win imperisl'abIe fame when
it belittle,l the generosity and chival-
~ Of the conqucror, aud sunk the
! majesty Of true leroism in the pusil-
lanimity ofpersonal insult. Had this
! otherwise noble band united with our
City Council as an escort to tho VEN
cradle ex-Presitlcnt, which l lahorcd
to bring about, the lanrels their valor
rcaped on Lookout mountain, and the
ensanguined battle-gr"nnds "f Shiloh
and Chattanooga, would have paled
| before the sublimer exhibition of
their maguanimity and self. her"ism.
Snct Il spectacle Of the supremacy Of
soldierly gallantry aud courtesy over
private resentment wontd have fur
nishc,l inspiration to poets, orators
| and euloglsts until the end Of time.
When we contrast the statesman
like dignity and quiet, christian TEN.
per Of the ex-Prcsidcnt's explanatory
letter with the extravaganza Of the
Grand Army's remonstrance, signed
with 80 many mental reservations, we
tell them, in all earnestness and can.
dor, to 90 back to the discipline of
the camp, and there learn their lesson
of gallantry and cl'ivalry anew. The
present agitation, growing out of my
strong desire for reconciliation and
peace, and tho inevitable develop.
iOent Of yonr immense possibilities,
will yet be productive Of the hap
piest results. If it be denied me to
grasp, IN the hand of the h6n"red ex.
President, the hand Of every citizen
If the SOnth, orr association whitney,
erthelcss receive tie credit for its
noble efforts in the work of reconcili.
alton. II. p. KIMBALL.