The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-02-18

Jefferson Davis, in letter dated New Or
leans, January 80, 1876, and addressed to the
Hon. James Lyons, Petersburg, Virginia.
makes defiant denial of the arraignment
made by the Hon. James G. Blaine, of Maine,
and by General James A. Garfield, of Ohio, Of
his direct and personal responsibility for the
ruel treatment Of the Union soldiers who
were prisoners of war to the Confederacy OF
which Mr.. Davis was President. He goes fur
Their, and like Mr.. Beniamine II. Hill, Repre-
sentative from Georgia, who was also MEM
Der of the Confederate States Senate, from the
same State, the rebel exPresident denies al
together that unnecessary suffering ensued
among, or unjustifable harshness or cruelty wac
practiced against, those Of our soldiers who
we're 70 unfortunate as to be prisoners within
the pens at Andersonvle Florence Salisbury,
Belle Isle, and Tyler, or in the tobacco ware
houses Of Libby and Castle Thunder. The
denial is a bold and sweeping one. Its audacl-
ty rises to sublimity. It not only denies but
accuses. The Union is assailed as having,
through its officials and policy treated the Con-
federate prisoners IN it's hands as bad or worse
than our men were used at Andersonville, Belle
Isle and elsewhere. 1t is also charged with
causing the sufferings OF the latter by the pol
icy it pursued Of refusing to exchange.
Now, as TO one part of Mr.. Jefferson Davis
denial aud counter accusation there is direct
and unass ailable method OF obtaining evidence.
The survisors of the rebel prison pens still re-
main among us. Those OF Andersonvllle
formed an association which is still IN existence.
We call upon every man who was captured and
confined by the Confederates during the civil
war for slavery and disunion TO at once give to
the public brief aud direct account of his
personal experiences. Let each man write to
the nearest Republican paper a simple state
ment Of his name, regiment, rank date OF cap
| ture, length of confinement, when exchanged,
the treatment he himself received as to food,
shelter, medical care &C., as well as to the ac-
! ton OF those in charge. Avoid all rhetoric,
denoupce no one, give as far as practicable the
names of Confederate officers &C., IN COM
mand also, any special instances as to others
known to the survivors, the details of which
are readily substanuable.
With regard to the treatment OF rebel pris-
cners in the northern entrepots, there is as
direct method OF obtaining reliable testimony.
Officers who we're in command OF such prisons
are still living, as are also soldiers who were
| stationed thereat Their evidence Will be OF
value. In every place where such prisoners
existed local sanitary and Christian associations
existed. the members of which busted them
selves in caring for the sick and wounded and
IN visiting the prisons and camps. Reputable
citizens at Emira, Rock Island, Chicago, Co
lumbus and elsewhere know the facts. Lei
them give their testimony. The honor OF ones
country should be sacred. We who fought FOL
liberty aud union surely have as vital an inter.
sst in that honor as the men who compelled US
to fight by their mad attempt to perpetuate
slavery and destroy the Union. Let us have
the facts.
Bear in mind that the object of such commu-
nicauons is not partisan but historical. Two
civilizations or systems Of government have
been and still are on trial. This question OF
Andersonville and it's attendant horrors belong
20 the trial. The case has been reopened, and
the verdict once solemuly rendered is now chal-
Icing ed. A cloud OF witnesses are still living
Let them give the facts. Let every man re-
spond, and at once. The good name OF the
Union is sought to be assailed and feculent
treason see!.s historical vindicsuon by these
audaclous falsehoods.