The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-02-23
LETTER FROM HON. JEFF. DAVIS.
New ORLEANS, J
Jan. 81, 1876. {

To Hon. JdIueS LJouS'
MY DEAR FRIEND-Your very kind
letter of the 14th inst. was forwarded
from Memphis, and has been receiv-
q at this place. have been so long
the object of malignant SANDER and
the subject of INSCRIPTIONS falsehood
nv partisans of the class Of Mr..
Blaine, that though l cannot say it
bas become to me matter Of indif-
ference, it has ceased to excite my
surprise even in this instance, when
il reaches the extremity of accusing
me of cruelty to prisoners. What
matters, to one whose object is per-
sonal and party advantage, that the
records, both Federal and Confeder-
ate, disprove the charge? That the
country is full of witnesses who bear
oral testimony against it? And that
fine effort to revive the bitter animos-
liter of the war obstructs the pro-
eyess toward the reconciliation of
sections? 1t is enough for him if his
self.seeking purpose be promoted
It would, however, seem probable
that such expectations must be dis
appointed, for only those who are
wilfully blind can fail to see, in the
circumstances of the case, the fallacy
Of Mr. Blaine's statement.
The published fact of an attempt
70 suborn Writ, while under SEN
tence of death, by promising him
nardon if he would criminate me in
regard to the Andersonvilie prison
ers is conclusive rs to the wish of
the Government to make such charge
against me; and the failure to do so
shows than nothing could be found
30 sustain it. May we not say, that
Holt and Conover, with their trained
band of suborned witnesses, dared
not make against me this charge
which Writ for his life would not
make, but which Blaine for Presl-
Dental nominations has made now?
To review leading facts ofthe case /:
The report of the Confederate Com
missioner for the exchange of priso-
ners saows how persistent and liberal
we're our efforts for the release of
cqptives. Failing in those attempts,
instructed General R. E. Lee to go
under flag of truce and seek an in
teryiew with General Grant, to re-
present to him the suffering and
death of Federal prisoners held by
a., to explain the causes which were
bryead our control, and to urge in
the name of humanity the observance
Of the cartel for the exchange OF
p,isonerS. To this, as to all pre-
yious appeals, deaf ear was turned
Twill aot attempt from memory te
" tic the report male to me Of the
incidents of this mission. Lee nc
loager lives to leten1 the cause aat
country which he loved so we'll AUG
served So efficiently, but Gen. Gran
canuot fail to remember so extraor
binary visit, and his objections tt
executing the cartel are we'll known
to the public. But whoever else ma!
choose to forget my efforts in thi
regard, the prisoners at Anderson
Vile and the delegates whom per
mitted them to send to Presiden
Lincoln to plead for the resumption
of the exchange of prisoners canno
fail to remember how willing l wa
was to restore them to their home
aud to the comforts of which the
we're in need, provided the imprison
ed soldiers of the Confederacy shout
be in like manner released and II
turned to us.
This foul accusation, though d
rected especially against me, was n
doubt intended, or naturally must b'
for the arraignment of the South, b
whose authority, and in whose b'
half my deeds were done. 1t may b
presumed that the feeling and til
habits of Southern soldiers were III
derstood by me, and in that connet
ton any fair mind would perceive i
my congratulatory orders to the a.
my after a victory, in which th
troops were most commended If
their tenderness and generosity to th
wounded and other captives, as we
the instincts of the person who issue
The order as the knightly tempers {
the soldiers to whom it was address
ed. 1t is admitted that the prisoner
IN our hands were not as well provit
cd as one would like to have ha
them, but it is claimed that we did {
Well for them as we could. Can I'll
other side say as n1uch2