The New York herald., 1876-02-07
THE MOTIVES OF A POLITICIAN.
efforts of the Confederates to
Bring About Exchange.
Ex POST FACTu LEGISLATION CRITICISED.
wAsHISeroN, Feb. 6. 1870.

My DEAR FRlEND-f our very kind letter OF the l4th
inst was forwarded from Memphis and has been
ceived at tins place.
have been so long the object of malignant SANDER
and the subject OF unscrupulous falsehood by par
tisans OF the class of Mr. Blame that though cannot
say has become TO matter OF Indifference II has
ceased to excite my surprise, even IN this instance,
when IL reaches the extremity Of accusing me OF
Eruelty to prisoners. What matters 1t 70 one whose
object personal and party advantage that the records
both federal and Confederate, dsprove the chargei
that the country is full OF Witnesses who bear
oral testimony against IL, and that the effort TO
revive the bitter animostes OF the war oo-
strucs the progress toward the reconciliation
Of the sectionsY 1t is enough for him II his sell
seeking purpose be promoted II would however,
probable that such expectations must be dlsap-
pointed for only those who are wihuly bind can ail
TO in the circumstances OF the case the ialacy OF
Mr. Biaine's statements The published fact of an
attempt TO suborn Wirz when under sentence of DEATH
by promising him pardon If he would criminate me
IN regard TO Andersonve prisoners, rs coheinsve as
TO the wish OF the government TO make such charge
against me and the failure TO do so shows that nothing
could be found to sustain IT, May we not say the ev-
aence of my innocence was such that Holt and Conover
with their trained band Of suborned witnesses dared
not make against me this charge-the same me, which
Wirz for hs life would not make but which Blaine for
the Presidential nomination has made2
THR LEADING FACTS.
Now let US review the leading facts of the case The
report OF the Confederate Commissioner for the Ex-
change Of prisoners shows how persistent and liberal
we're our efforts the relief Of captIves Fail
ing IN those attempts, instructed General II. f. Lee to
20 under a flag OF truce, and seek interview
with General Grant; TO represent TO him the suffering
and death Of federal prisoners held by us to explain
the of humanity the observance OF the cartel
for the exchange of prisoners To this as TO all pre-
vlous appeals, deaf ear was turned ! viii not
attempt from memory TO write the report made TO me
of the incidents of this mission Lee no longer lives TO
defend the cause anu country be loved so well ana
served efficiently but General Grant cannot fail TO
remember so extraordinary visit and his objections
10 executing the cartel are well known to the public.
But whoever else may choose TO forget my
efforts this regard the prisoners AT Andersonville
and the delegates ! permitted them to send TO
President Lincoln 70 plead for the resumption of ex-
chs aOfp priSO %
ing was TO them TO their homes and to the
comforts of which they were in need provided the inn
prisoned soldiers OF the Coniederacy should be in Ike
manner released and returned TO us
PoUL ACCUSATION,
though directed specially against me- no doubt
intended and naturally must be the arragnment the
South, by whose authority and In whose behalf my
deeds were done, It may be presumed that the feel
Ings and the habits of the Southern soldiers
derstood by me- and in that connection any fair mind
would perceive IN my congratulaiory orders to the
army AFTER a victory which the troops were most
commended for their tenderness and generosity to the
wounded and other capves wo the instincts OF the
person VINO issued the order as the knghty temper of
Inc soldiers to whom II addressed IL rs admitted
that the prisoners In hands we're not as well pro
vided would but 1t is claimed we did as well
for them could Can the other side say as muchf
TO the bold allegations of -treatment of prisoners by
side and humane treatment and adequate supplies
by opponents, II Is only necessary TO offer two
facts-
First-t appears from the reports OF the United
States war Department that though we had 60, 600
federal prisoners than they had OF Conederates,
1900 OF Confederates died in Northern prisons
Second-The want and suffering of men in Northern
prisons caused ask for permission TO send out
cotton and buy supplies for them The request was
granted but only condition that the cotton should
be 10 New York and the supplies be bought there
General Bealo now of ST. Louis authorized 10
purchase and distribute the needful supplies. Our
sympathy with the occasion and responded TO Its
demands, not waiting for ten years, then TO vaunt
itself when 1t could serve no good purpose 10 the
sufferers.
Under the mellowing influence of time and occa-
Eional demonstrations at the North OF desire for
the Of peace and good will the Southern
people forgotten much have forgiven much OF the
wrongs they bore II it be less so among their in
yaders It is but another example Of the rule that the
wrongdoer is less able 10 forgive than he who has
suffered causeless wrong II is not however generally
that unrelenting vindictiveness is TO be found The
brave are generous and gentle 1t is
THE sKULKERs OF THE FIGHT,
the Baines who display their flag untented field
they made sacrifice prevent the separation OF the
States Why should they be expected 70 promote the
confidence and good will essential 10 their unionS
When closely confined at Fortress Monroe was
solicited TO add my name 10 those OF many esteemed
gentlemen who had signed petition for my pardon,
and an assurance gwen that on my doing so the
President would order my Liberation Confident OF the
Justice OF our cause and the rectitude OF my
duct declined TO sign the petition and remained sub
ject to the incxcusable prvaons and torturcs which
ir Craven has but family described When after two
years OF close confinement was admitted 10 bail
often required l appeared for trial
under the indictment found against me, but
IN which Mr.. Blaines hctions do not appear
The Indictment was finally quashed, no application
OF mine nor have evaded avoided trial upon
general
bring against me, and have no view OF the future
which makes IL desirable 10 TO be included in
amnesty bill Viewed in the abstract OF as general
question: would be GLAD 10 sec the repeal OF all laws
infctIng the penalty Of political disabilities on classes
OF the people, that might as prescribed by The con-
stituton be left 70 the courts to hear and
ing to pre-exsting legislation. The discrimina-
mado against our people is unjust and impoliuc
among the citizens Of the United states, convection
and without hearing without jurisdiction,
tho proceeding which had its appropriate end in the
assumption by Congress Of the executive junction OF
granting pardcns To remove political disabilities,
which there not legal power 10 impose was not an
act so much grace form plausible pretext for
the reckless diatrlbe Of Mr.. Blaine The papers pre-
served by Dr. stevenson happily furnish full proof of
the causes OF disease and death at Andersonville
They now believe IN Richmond and IL is 70 be
hoped their publication will not be much longer delayed
have taste Tor recriminatou, though the sad re-
citals made by soldiers returned IRON Northern
prisons never be forgotten; and you win remem
Der the excitement they produced and the censorous
publications which were uttered against me because
would visit the helpless prisoners In hands
ficted upon our ner Imprisonment Is hard lot at
abe beet and prisoners are prone 10 exaggerae their
suferings and such probably the both
sides; hut We did not seek BY reports OF committees
PHOTOGRAPHIC ILLUSTRATIONS
40 influence the passions Of people. How was
~ with our enemvS Let one example sufnce
You may remember published report Of q COMMITTEES
OF the United States Congress- which was sent to An
had offered 20 10 the photographs OF some emacated
subjects which offered - samples Of prisoners re-
aurned from the South When copy o. that report
was recaiyedI sent II TO Colonel Out. Commissioned
for the Exchange Of Prisoners and LEANED as anti
cipaied that the photographs, as i as they could oe
idcnttRed had bcon taken from who were In our
hospitals when they were liberated tor exchange, and
whom the hospital surgeon regarded as eonWAiescen
but too weak TO be removed with safesy 70 them
salves The anxiety OF the prisoners 70 be
sent 70 their homes had prevailed over The
objections Of the surgeon bu, ms Is NOV A. ~ ~,
have recently learned from prieft who was taen AZ
Annapolis that the most vretched booking oi these
photographs taken from nnn who h@a sever
been prisoner, but who had been let on The ''siok
hst' az Annapolis when the command 10 which ne vas
attached had passed that place It's soutfgard march
Whatever may be said ir extenuation Of
SUCH mYosTURB
because or the exigencies OF there nc such
excuse for the attenpt OF Mr.. Blaine, by gross
misrepresentation and sanderous accusation 81 renew
the worst passions OF the war and is 70 be hoped
that much the event is to Be. re-
erettod. 10 will have tho good effect OF
truthful statements In regard 10 this httle IN
dcretood uhject from who would have preferred