The Russellville Democrat., 1876-02-17

me this charge which Wlrtz for his life would not make, but which Blaine for presidential nominotion has made now?
 To review leading facts of the case: The report of the confcder- ate commissioner for the ex- change of prisoners shows how persistent and liberal were our efforts to secure the release of captives. Failing in those at tempts, I instructed General k. E. Lee to go under flagof truce and seek an interview with Gen eral Grant, to represent to him the suffering and death of Feder- al prisoners held by us, to explain the causes which were beyond our control. and to urge in the name of humanity the observance of the cartel for the exchange of prisoners. To this, as to all pre- vious appeals a deaf ear was turned.
 I will pot attempt from memo " to write the report made to me of the incidents of this mission. Lee no longer lives to defend the cause and country which he loved so well and served so efficiently, but Gen. Grant can not fail to re- member so extraordinary visit, and his objections to executing the cartel are well known to the public. But whoever else may choose to forget my efforts ip this regard, the prisoners at finders: h. vile and the delegates whom l permitted them to send to presi- dent Lincoln to plead for the re- sumption of the exchange of pris- oners can not fail to remember how willing I was to restore them to their hemes and to the com forts of which they were in need, provided the imprisoned soldiers of the Confectionery should be in like manner released and return ed to us.
 This foul accusation, though directed especially against me, was no doubt intended, or natu- rally must be, for the arrange ment of the South, by whose au- thority and in whose behalf may deeds were done. It may be pre- stunned that the feelings and the habits of Southern soldiers were understood by me, and in that connection any far mind would perceive in my congratulatory or ders to the army after victory, in which the troops were most commanded for their tenderness and generosity to the wounded and other captives, as we'll the instincts of the person who is- sued the orders as the knightly tempers of the soldiers to whom it was\ addressed. It is admitted that the prisoners in our hands were not as we'll, provided as one would like to have had them, but it IS claimed that we did as well for them as we could. Can the other side say as much?
 To the bold allegations osill- treatment of prisoners by onr slde and humane treatment and ade- quatc supplies by our opponents, it is necessary to offer two facts:
 First-It appears from the re- ports of the United States Wan Department that though we had 60,000 more Federal prioners than they had Confenerates, 5000 more of Confederates died in Northern prisons.
 Second-The want and suffer ing of men in Northern prisons caused me to ask for permission to send out cotton and buy sup. plies for them. The request was granted, but only on condition that the cotton should be sent tc New York and the supplies bt bought there. Gen. Beale, now of St. Louis, was authorized tC purchase and distribute the need ful supplies. Our sympathy rose with the occasion and responded to it's demands, not waiting for ter years then to vaunt itself when il could serve no good purpose tt the sufferers.
 Under the mellowing influence: of time and the occasional demon strations of the North for desFt for the restoration of power anC good will, the Southern people have forgotten much, of the wrong they bear. If it be less so among their invaders, it is but anothe example of the rule that tn, wrong doer is less able to forgiy, than he who has suffered cause less wrong.
 It is not, however, general. among those who braved the ha2 ards of battle that unrelentlni vindictiveness is to be found-th brave, generous and gentle. It i the skulkers of the tight-th Blaines who display their flag ol an untented field. They mad no sacrifice to prevent the separa tion of States, why should the.
 be expected to promote the con fidence and good will essential t their union?
 When closely confined at Fortrcs
 Monroe, l was solicited to add m