The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-02-07
A VOICE FROM THR TOMBS.
JEFFERSON DAVIS'S VIEWS.
A Letter upon the Treatment Of
Prisoners Of War on both Sides.
BLAINE's CHARGES DENIED.

PAID TO BLAINE-THE ANSWER TO THE
CHARGEs-HE GOES INTO THE MATTER IN
CONSIDERABLE DETAIL.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. e-Jeferson Davis
has written the following letter to Judge Lyons,
of Richmond, Va:
NEW ORLEANS, January "a.
To the Hon. James Lyons:
My DEAR FRIEND Your very kind letter Of
has been received at this place. Ihave been so
long the object of malignant Islander and the
subject OF unscru pulous falsehood by partisans
of the class OF Mr.. Blaine that, though 1
can not say IL has become to me matter
prise, even in this Instance, VIII n 1t reaches
the extremity of accusing me of cruelty TO
prisoners. What matters IL to one whose object
Is personal and party advantage that the
records. both federal and confederate, disprove
the charge. that the country is full OF witnesses
that hat the he effort to revive the bitter ami
mosities OF the war obstructs the
sections. 1t is enough for him If his self-seek-
ing purpose be promoted. 1t would, however,
seem probable that such expectation must be
blind can fail to appreciate in the circumstances
of the case the fallacy of Mr. Blaine's statements
W Wiz while under s sentence p' Of death.
by promising pardon he would
prisoners, is conclusive as to the wish of the gov
eminent 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 that the
evidence of my innocence was such that Holt
and Conover, with their trained band of
suboSned witnesses dared not maze IKE ags1 nn
not make, but which Blaine, for a presidential
nomination, has made now. Let us review the
federate commander for the exchange of pris-
oners shows how persistent and
cp Dr1a the r we of tSs captiVes Fsing in
those attempts Instructed General r. E. Lee to
go under flag Of Il uce, and seek
AN INTERVIEW WITH GENERAL GRANT
to represent to him the suffering and death of
the federal prisoners held by us, to explain the
causes that were beyond our control and to
urge in the name of humanity the observ-
ance of the cartel for the exchange
of prisoners To this, as to all previous appeals,
a deaf ear was turned. viii not attempt from
memory to write the reports made to me OF the
incidents of this mission. Lee is no longer
alive to defend the cause and country he loved
so well and served so efficiently, but General
Tant can not fail 70 remember SO ee5traordlnary
as they are well-known 10 the public.
But who ever else may choose
at Anderson vile and the delegates permitted
them to send to President Lincoln to plead for
the resumption of the exchange OF prisoners
can not fail to remember how willing was to
restore them to their homes and to the comforts
OF which they were so in need, provided the
should be in like manner released
and returned TO us. This foul accusation,
though directed especially against me, was no
doubt intended to be and naturally must be, the
arraignment of the South, by WhLse authority
and in whose behalf my deeds were done; 1t
its of the Southern soldiers were under
stood by me and in that connection
my congratulatory orders to the army after
victory, IN which the troops were most M
mended for their tenderness and generosity 10
the wounded and other captives, as well as for
the instincts OF the persons who issued the order
it was addressed. Il is admitted that the pris.
oners in our hands were not as well provided for
as we would like to have had them, but it is
could. Can the other side say as
much? To the bold allegations of the
name treatment and adequate supplies of our
opponents, 1t Is only necessary to offer
TWO FACTS.
First, 1t appears from the reports of the United
States war department that, though we had
$4,000 more fedora prisoners than they had con-
federates, six thousand of the
confederates died In Northern prisons;
second, the want and suffering of the men in
Northern prisons cause me to ask for permits
sion 10 send out cotton and buy supplies orr
them. The request was granted, but only on
the condition that the cotton should be sent to
ew fS e an now th Of Supplies be SSngh6 lasre
purchase and distribute the needful sup
plies. Our sympathy rose with the
waiting for ten years, then to vaunt itself when
it could serve no good purpose 10 the sufferers
occasional demonstrations at the North of
desire for the restoration of peace and good WILL
The Southern people have forgotten much, have
forgiven much Of the wrongs they BORE II 1t
be less so among their invaders, 1t is but
another example Of the rule that the wrong
fered causeless wrong. 1t Is not, however, gen.
orally among those who braved the hazards of
found found I the brave and generous and : gentle.
Ii is the skulkers OF the tight,
ahe an n r6 aPayd s5e ag
to prevent the separation of the states. Why
should they be expected to promote the conf
closely combined at Fortress Monroe, was
licited TO add my name TO those OF many es-
for my pardon. and an assurance was given that
on my doing so the president would Older
our cause ana the rectitude ofour own conduct, I
declined TO sign the peiition and remained SUBJ
Ject 10 tue inexcusable
PRIvATIoNs AND ToRTUREs
which DR.. Craven has but family described.
When, after two years of close confinement,
was admitted to bail, as often required 1
appeared for trial under the Indictment found
against me, but in which Mr.. Blaines fictions
do not appear. The indictment was finally
quashed on no application Of mine, nor have /
ever evaded or avoided trial on any charge the
general as1nsF misat choose hsS to to
view VisVF Of the future, n' which have makes
dss smassy to S %s 70 viewed BE included IN In
abstract general question Il would be
glad TO see the repeal OF all laws inficting the
penalty OF political disabilities on classes of
people, that Ii might, as prescribed by the CON-
stitution, be left 10 the courts TO decide the
cause and affix the penalty according
to legislation. The discrimination against our
people is unjust and impolitic. II the fact be
equality and the purpose be fraternity among
the citizens of the United States, nviction and
sentence without a hearing and without juris-
dictlon, and The affixing of penalties by ex-
which had its appropriate close
! in the assumption by congress of
4 the executive function OF granting
pardons. The removing Of political disabili-
| ties, which there was no legal power to impose,
was not an act of so much grace as to form a