Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1876-02-11

ers shows how persistent and liberal were
our efforts 10 secure the relief OF captives.
Failing in those attempts, l instructed
General 4. F.. Lee to go under a flag OF
truce and seek an interview with General
Grant, to represent to him the suffering
and death of Federal prisoners held by US.
to explain the cause which were beyond
our control, and urge, 10 tho name OF
humanity, the observance Of tho Cartel for
an exchange OF prisoners. To this, rs 10
all previous appeals, a deaf eaf 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-
feud the cause and country he loved SO
well and served SO eilectually, but General
Grant cannot fail to remember so eXtraor-
dinary visit, and his objections to eXrcut-
ing the cartel arc well known TO the pub
lie. Ynt, whoever else may choose to for
get my efforts in this regard, The prisoners
at Andersonville and delegates permitted
them TO send 10 President Lincoln TO plead
for resumption of the exchange ofprison-
ers, cannot fail TO remember how willing l
was 20 restore q em 10 their homes and to
the comforts OF which they were in need,
provided tie imprisoned soldiers OF the Con-
federacy should be in like manner released
returned to US.
The foaI accusation, though directad specially
against M, was 10 doubt intended as-and
naturally must he-the arraignrnent Of the
South, bv whosc authority and in whose behalf
nv deeds were done Il may be presumed that
the feelings and the habits of the Southern SOL
dicrs were understood by me, and in that connec
ton any fair mind would perceive 10 my congra-
tulatory orders TO the army, after victory in
which the troops were most commended for
their tenderness and generosity to the wounded
and other captivcs, az well the instincts of the
person who issued Il e order as the kuightly
temper OF the soldiers TO whom It was addressed.
II is admitted that the prisoners in our hands
were not as we'll provided for as We would like
well for them as we could. Can the other side
say as much To the bold allegations Of i'll
treatment ard adequate supplies by our oppo
nenis, It is only necessary to Offer two facts.
First il appears from the reports of the Uni.
tee States War Department that. though vi
had sixty thousand more Federal prisoners than
they had Of Coufederates, SIX thousand more oi
Confederates died in Northern prisons.
Second, the want and suffering of men IN Noi.
thern prisons caused me to ask for permission
send out cotton and buy supplies for them. The
reoues; was granted, but only on condition that
tn. cotton should be sent te New York and the
supplies b. hought there. General Bsaie, now
Of ST. Louis, was authorizei TO purchase and
distribute the needful supplies. Our sympathy
rose with the occasion and We responded 10 lis
demands, not waiting for ten years, then tC
vaunt itself when 1t could serve 10 good pur
pose 10 the sufferers.
Cnder the neliowing influences Of time and
occasional demonstrations al the North Of q
desire for the rest Grafton OF peace and good will
the Southern people have forgotten much o
the wrongs they bore. If it be less so among
their invaders, is Is but another example OF the
rule that the vropgdoer is less able TO forgive
than he who has suffered causelcss wrong. II
ia not however, generally among those who
braved the hazards Of battle that unreenting
Yindictiveness is 10 be fourd-the brave and
generous and gentle. 1t is the skulkers of the
fight, the Blaiues, who display their dag on an
untented field. rhey made no sacrifice to pre-.
vent the separation Of the States; why should
they be expected to promote the confidence and
good will essential to their union
When closely confined at Fortress Monroe,
was solicited 10 add my name 70 those of many
esteemed gentlemen, who had signed petition
for my pardon, and ! was assured that on my
doing SO The President would order mi liberia
toh. CoHfideu; of the Justice of our cause anG
the reciitudc OF nv own conduct. declined tc
sign the position and remained subject 10 the
nexcusable riyatloDs and tortures which DR.
Craycn has but family described. When, aftel
two years OF close confinement, WAS admitted
to bail, as often required / appeared Cor tria
under the indictment found against ire, but IL
which Mr.. Blaine's fctIons do not appear. The
indictment was finally quashed, on no appicA,
tion of mine, nor have ever cysded or avoided
a trial upon any charge the General Government
might choose to bring against rne, and have nc
view of the future which makes It desirable &c
me 10 be included in an amnesty bill. Viewed
in the abstract, or as a general question,
would be glad TO see the repeal OF all laws in
alcting the penalty Of political disabilities or
classes Of the people, that il might, as prescrib
cd by the Constitution, be LETT 10 the courts &c
hear and decide the causes TO aiiI the penalties
according 30 pre-exis;ing legislation. The dis.
elimination made against our people is uni usi
and impolItic. II the fact be equality and the
purpose be fraternity among citizens o! th,
United States, conviction without 4 hearing
wthou, Jurisdiction aud aflxiEs penalties BY
sr post Jacto legislation are part of proceeding
which had It's appropriate cud in the assump
tion by Congress Of the executive function O
granting psrdors. To remove poll; lea! disabili
ties which there was not legal power To impose
WAS no; an act Of so much grace n 10 form Z
plausible pretext for the reckless diatri5e Of Mr.
Blaine.
The papers lrtseryel by DR.. Stevenson happi.
ly furnish full proof OF the causes of disease
and death st And.rsonvil,. They are now,
believe, in Richmond, and 1t is 10 he hoped thai
their publication will not be much longer delay
ed ! have not a taste for Tecrimiuation
though the sad recitals made by our soldiers re-
turned from Northern prisons can never be for
COTTON, and you will remember the excitement
and the ccnsOri Gus publication which was utter
ed against me because would rot visit on the
helpless prisoners in our hands such barbaritie'
as, according to reports, had been inflicted up
on our men.
imprisonment is 4 hard lot at best, and pri
scners are prone 10 cIaggerate their suferings
and such was the case on both sides But we
did not seek, by reports Of committees, with
Photographic illustrations, 10 iufaae the pas
sions of our people. How was il with our enc
my Let one example suffice. You may remem
Der published report ofa committee Of the Uni
ted States Congress, which Was sent TO Anuapo
lis TO visit some exchanged prisoners, and which
had appended 10 Il phOtOgraps OF some emacia
ted subjects, which were offered rs samples OF
the prisoners returned from the South. Whe.
a copy Of that report was received, sent it to
Col. Ou!d, Commissioner for exchange of pri
sonsra and lea arned as | anticinatr6 that The