Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-02-12
JEFF Davis on Blaine.

ex-Speaker Blaine, 10 tie House on the am-
nesty bill, Mr.. Davis has responded in a letter
denying the alleged cruellies at Andersonvi!le
prison, and reviewing the leading facts in re-
gard to efforts made for an exchange of pris-
oners. lie also contrasts the morality lists in
Northern and Southern prisons, claiming that
there was larger percentage OF deaths in the
former, and abiding to the vindictiyencss
which has pursued him in some quarters, says;
d" The brave are generous and gentle it is the
skulkers Of the fight, the Blaines, who display
their Gag on an untented field We give Mr.,
Dayis's letter in full:
NSw ORLEANS, January 81, 1876.
Hon James LyoaS-Xy Dear Friend Your
very kind letter Of the 18th instau, was for
warded from Memphis, aud has been received
q, this place.
have been 50 long the objec, Of malignant
Islander and the subject Of uucrupulous false
hood by partisans uf the class Of Mr.. Blaine,
that though cannot say it has become to me
matter Of Indifference il has ceased TO excite
my surprise even in this instance, when it
reaches the extremity of accusing NE Of crrels
ty to prisoners. What matters it to one
whose object is personal aud party advantage,
that the records, both Federal and Confederate,
di>proyc the charge that the country is full
Of witnesses who bear oral testimony against
il, and that the efforts TO revive the bitter ami
mosities Of the war obStructS the progress to-
wards the reconciliation of the sections Ii
is enough for him if his se!l-seckng purpose be
promoted.
il would. however, seem probable that such
expectations must be disappointed for only
thuse who are willingly blind can fail to see
in the circumstances of the case the lallacy Of
Mr. Blaiue's statements The published fact
Of an attempt To suborn Wirz, when under
sentence of death, by promising him pardon
if be would criuinate me in regard 10 the
AuaerSonvlllc prisoners, Is conclusive as to Il e
wish Of the government 10 make such charge
- .ajuSt me, anu the failure to do So shows that
nothing could be found to sustain it. May we
not say the evidence of my innocence was
such that Holt an C'novor with their trained
baud Of suborued witnesses. dared not make
against me this charge-the same which Wirz
for his life wou,l not make, but which Blaine
for the presidential domination has made
Now let Us review the leading facts of this
case. The report Of the Confederate commits
sion for the exchange Of prisoners shows Low
persistent aud liberal were our efforts to Sc
cure tAe relief Of captives Failing in those
attempts, instructed Gen T. L Lee to 90
under llay Of truce and seek an interview with
Gen. Graut, To- represent to BIN the suffering
and death Of Federal prisoners held 10y us. to
~, ,1aft f',a tsliPb lav.,ttl pr
control, aud TO urge in the name Of humanity
the observance Of the cartel for the exchange
of prisoners 70 this, Is % all previous ap-
peals deaf ear was turned. | will not at
tempt, from memory, to write the report made
to me Of the incidents Of this mission. Lee
no longer lives 20 defend the cause and coun-
try he loved 50 well aud served 50 efficiently
but General Grant cannot fail to remember so
extraordinary visit, aud bis objections to ex-
ecuuns the cartel are well known to the pub
lie But whoever else m y choose 10 forget my
efforts in this regard, the prisoners at Ander-
snyllc, aud the delegates | permitted them
to send 10 President Lincoln to plead for the
resumption e exc an, of p ison6rs, cannot fl |
to remember how willing was { restore them
to their homes, and to the comforts of which
they were in need provided the imprisoned SOL
diers of the Couederacy should be in like
manner released aud returned TO rs.
This foul accusation. though directed Spe-
cially against me, was no doubt intended, aud
naturally must be, the arraigumeut Of the
South, by whose authority and in whose be-
half my deeds were done. II may be pre-
sumel that the feelings and habits Of the
Southern soldiers were understood by me, aud
in that connection any fair mind would per-
ceivc in my coRgiatulatnry orders to the ar
my after victory, in which the troops were
most commended 70 their tenderness and gen
crosby to the wounded aud other capiives as
well the instincts of the person who IS
sued the order, as the knishtly temper of the
soldiers to whom it was addressed. 1t is adj
mitied that the prisoners in our hands were not
as well provided for rs we would but il is
claimed that VIC did as well for them as we
could Can the other side say as much ?
To the bold allegations OF il-treatment to
prisoners by our side, and humane treatment
and adequate supplies by our opponents, it is
only Necessary 10 offer two facts First. il
appears from the reports Of the United States
War Department that though we had sixty
thousand more Federal prisoners than they
had of ContederateS, SIX thousand more of
CJnleleratcS died in Northern prisons than
died Of Federals in Southern prisons; second,
the want and suffering Of men in Northern
prisons caused me 10 ask permission 10 send
out cotton and buy supplies for them The
request was granted. but only ON condition
that the cotton should be sent to New York.
aud the supplies he bought there General
Bcalc, now Of ST. Louis. was authorized 10
purchase and distribute the ncclful supplies
Our Symptt Y rose with the occasion d
responded to It's demauds-uut wai.ug f,r
ten years, then to yannt itself wheu it could
serve no good purpose to the sufferers.
Under the mel3wy influence Of time and
occasional demonstrations at the North of q
desire for the restoration of peace aud good
viii, the Southern people have forgotten much
have forgiven much Of tie wrongs they
bore; it /, be less 50 among their invaders. it
is but another example Of the rule that the
wrong doer Is less able 20 forgive than he who
has suffered cauScltSS wrong. Ii is not, how
ever. generally among those who braved the
hazards OF battle that uureleniing vintict-
iveucss is to he fuuad The brave are gene
ruus aDl gentle it is tie skukerS Of tie fgbt.
the Blaircs, who display their Gag on an ur-
tented fell. They made no sacrifice o.
prevent the separation Of the StateS-why
should they be expected TO prom, tie the con-
iiIence and goodwill essential to their union
When closely confined at Fortress Monroe
was solicited TO add my name to those Of many
esteemed gentlemen who bal signed petition
fr my pardon, aud an assurance was given