The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-02-07
Letter from Hon. Jefferson Davis
He Denies Blaiue's Charges.

WASHINGTON, February Jefferson
Davis has written the following letter 10
Judge Lyons, of Richmond, Va:
NEW ORLEANS, January q.
Hon James Lyons:
MY DEAR FRIENp:-Iour very kind
letter of the I4th inst. was forwarded
from Memphis. and has been received at
this place. have been so long the OBJ
iect OF malignant slander, and the sub
iect of unscrupulous falsehood by partisans
of the class of Mr.. Blaine, although /
can't say it has become To me matter of
Indifference, it has ceased 10 excite any
surprise even in this instance when II
reaches the extremity of accusing me of
cruelty 10 the prisoners. What matters
it TO one whose object is personal and
party advantage, that the recorls both
Federal and Confederate disprove
the charge, that the country
is full Of witnesses who
bear oral testimony against it, and that il
is the effort TO revive bitter animositles OF
the war and obstruct progress toward re-
Cancellation of the sections2 1t is enough
for him if his self-seeking purpose be pro-
noted 1t would, however, seem probs-
BILE that such expectations must be dlsap-
pointed, for only those who are wilfully
blind can fail TO see IN the circumstances
of the case the fallacy of Mr.. Blalnes
statement The published fact of an at
tempt to suborn Wirz when under sen.
tence OF death, by promising him
pardon If he would convict me in
regard to the Andersonville prisoners, is
conclusive as 10 the wish of the Govern
ment 10 make such charge against me,
for the failure TO do SO, shows that moth
ing could be found TO sustain 1t. May
we not say that the evidence OF my inno-
cence was such that Holt and COnoyer,
with their trained band of suborned wit
ne.ses, dared not make against me this
charge which Wirz, for his life, would
not make, but which Blaine tor the Pres
idential nomination has made Now let
us revise tho leading facts OF the case.
The report of the Confederate COM
missioners for the next exchange OF
prisoners shows how persistent aud
liberal were our efforts 10 secure the re-
lief of captives. Failing in those at
tempts ] instructed Gen. Il. +. Lee TO 60
under flag Of truce and seek AN inter
view with Gen. Grant 10 represent TO
him the suffering and death of Federal
prisoners held by us; to explain causes
which were beyond our control and 10
urge IN the name of humanity the OBJ
seryance of the cartel for the exchange
of prisoners. To this, rs 10 all previous
appeals deaf ear was turned.
] will not attempt from memory TO write
the report made TO me Of the incidents OF
this mission. Lee no longer lives TO de-
fend the cause ard the country he so well
loved, and served SO efficiently; but Cen
eral Grant cannot fai. to remember so
extraordinary u visit and his objections
10 executing the cartel are too well
known TO be published; but whoever else
may choose TO forget my efforts IN this
regard, the prisoners at AndersonvIlle
and the delegates permitted them 10
send to President Lincoln 10 plead for
resumption of the exchange Of pris-
oners, cant fail 10 remember how willing
| Was 10 restore them 10 their homes,
and 10 the comforts Of which they wore in
need; provided, the imprisoned soldiers
Of the Confederacy should be in like
manner released and returned US. This
foul accusation, thoug directed especial.
ly against me, WAS no doubt intended
for the whole South, by whose au-
thority, and in whose behalf,
NV deeds were done. 1t may be
that the feelings and the habits Of the
Southern soldiers were understood by me.
and in that connection any sane mind
would perceive in my cOngratulatory
orders TO the army after victory, in
which the troops were most commended
for their tenderness and generosity 20
the wounded and other captiyes, l. AZ
well the instincts ofthe person whossued
the order as the kuIghtly temper
Of the soldiers 20 whom 1t was addressed.
Il l. admitted that the prisoners
in our hands were not as we'll provided
for a. one would like TO have had them /;
but this is claimed, that We did ~ well for
them as we could. Can the other side say
as much7 To bold allegation Of III treat.
ment OF prisoners by our side and hu-
name treatment and adequate supplies by
our opponents it is only necessary 70
offer two facts.
Flrst-It appears through the reports
Of the United States War Department
that though we had G0,OOO more Federal
prisoners than they bad Coniederates
/. 900 more Of the Confederates died IN
the Northern prisons.
Second-The want and the suffering Of
men in the Northern prisons caused me 70
ask for permission TO send out cotton,
s,d buy supplies for them. The request
vas granted, but only on condition that
the cotton should be sent 70 New York
and the supplies be bought there, Gen.
Re,le. now Of St. LOUIS, was authorized
70 purchase and distribute the needful
supplies. Our sympathy rose With the
occasion and responded 10 Its demands,
not waiting for ten years and then u
vaunt itself, when il could serve 10 good
purpose 70 the sufferers. Under the
Inellow1ng influence OF time
and the occasional demonstrations ai
North Of desire for the restoration oi
peace and good will. The southern peo-
pie have forgotten much, have forgiven
much Of the wrongs they bore. II II be
lee. % among their invaders, il is bu;
another example that the wrong doer
is less sble 70 forgive than he who mas
suffered the wrong" 1t is not however
generally among those who bore the
hazards Of battle that this unrelen.-
ing yindictiyeness ia 10 be found
the brave, and generous, and
gentle. It's the skulkers Of the fight
the Blsines-who display the flag on sn
untsnted field. They made no sacrifice
70 preyest the separation Of the States
and Why should they be expected 20 pro
mote he confidence AMI good will essen
/ tial 70 their UBIOD2
When closely confined q. Fortre'i
Monroe, IVES solicited 10 add my mans