Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-08
TIE ANDERSONVILLEF IEND WRl7H-
ING


The letter of jeff. Davis, in reply to the
speech by Mr.. Blaine exposing the acts
and accountability of tho rebel chieftaIn
in relation to the cruelties inflicted upon
Union soldiers confined in the Anderson
vile prison pen and slaughter house,
Is a desperate attempt of this re-
cent Nero TO escape the condemnation
which his fiendish acts deserve. That he
writhes under bis terrible punishment Is
what might be expected. That he will
fail in the least to influence public opinion
in his favor is as certain as anything can
be.
With characteristic mendacity ne as
sumes at the opening of his letter that Mr..
Blaine delivered bis philippe in the House
purely for personal motives. that he
sought the opportunity to assail Davis in
order to further political aspirations. This
sspersIon of Mr.. Blaipe's motives is no
answer to the allegations in his speech
AGAINST Davis. 1t is not the motive Of the
accuser, but the facts which he presents,
that the public are interested in. and upon
which they base their opinion OF the deep
guilt of the Confederate ex-President.
Bot the assertion or insinuaton that MIR.
Blaine sought the opportunity to assail
Davis, for personal or other considerations,
10 without a particle of foundation, as
every person who read the amnesty de-
bate knows. The amnesty question was
precipitatec upon the House by the friends
of JEFF. Davis--the democratic side OF the
House. They brought in bill to grant
amnesty to all rebels who had not already
been amnestied, including JEFF. Davis. and
undertook to force it through the Horse
without allowing amendment or debate.
This was the introduction Of the subject
of amnesty. 1t was not introduced by
Mr.. Blaine or any of his friends. 1t was
forced upon them, not sought by them.
If Davis had stated the truth in his letter
he would have said that the democrats
his friends-were responsible for the am
nesty debate. including the terrible phil
lipic under which he now wrilhes.
As Davis began his letter with false
hood, SO he continues it to the end, making
it but an aggregation of falsehoods by
which he attempts to shift from his own
blackened soul the responsibility for the
horrors and cruelties at Andersonvile, and
place them upon the administration Of the
pure and tender hearted President Lin
coin. But the record is made up. The
achiyes of the government contain DAM
ming proof of the guilt of Davis. Men
who escaped from the hell prepared for
them In Georgia under the hand OF jeff.
Davis are rising.u in every loyal State to
give testimony to the crhelties they suf-
fered, the atrocious character of which is
too offensive to be committed to writing.
One fact. however, is made plain by
Davis letter, that is he is defiant and
snrepentant, as much rebel at heart as
ever. He speaks of the government and
the loyal people of the country as wrong
uOtTe, anu vi Ao nav luz sQHtlcu
a causeless wrong. He has refused to ask
pardon or amnesty because, - he boast
inglv asserts, he has done No wrong, is
confident OF the justice OF the tontvdcr-
ale cause and the recitude of his inten
tions. The opinion that existed before The
! appearance of his letter that he should he
excluded from amnesty will be greatly
strengthened by the letter All The mag
nanimity and clemency of the North to-
ward the South has been lost upon him.
Having justly forfeited his life for his dar-
ing and wicked effort to destroy the gov
eminent OF his country. he is .tll allowed
life and freedom to 60 where he pleases,
but in return for this generosity he SLAM
ders the men who have spared his life,
defies the government, and parades HIM
self as a martyr in righteous cause.
For sublimity OF impotence as well as g-
gantic falsehood this letter stands almost
unequalled.
4 PIRA7ICAL CRAFT UNDkR FALSE