The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-02-07
NO. 1877.

who had signed petition for my par
don, and an assurance was given that on
my doing so the President would order
nv liberation. Confident Of the Justice
OF our cause and the rectitude OF nv own
conduct declined to sign the petition,
and remained subject 10 the inexcu-
sible privations and fortunes which
DR.. Craven has but faintly described.
When, after two years of close contne-
ment, was admitted 70 bail, and as Of
ten ss required appeared for trial un.
der the Indictment found against me,
but in which Mr.. Blaine's factions do
not appear, the indictment was finally
quashed on no appealing Of mine, nor
have / ever evsded or avoided trial on
any charge the general government
might bring against me, and have
no view Of the future
which makes il dissimilate
me TO be included in an amnesty bill.
Viewed in an abstract or As general
question would DO glad 10 see the repeal
of all laws inflicting the pen atty Of polit-
ical disabilities on classes Of people that
it might as prescribed by the Constitu-
tioR, be left 10 the courts to hear and de-
eide the cause and to sfix penalties &C.
cording to pre-existing legislation. Tho
discrimination made against our people
is unjust and impolitic il the fact be
equahty and the purpose be fraternity
among the citizens Of the United States.
Convection and sentence without hear
ing, without jurisdiction Offering penal
ties by or post fscto legislation, are part
Of the proceedings which had its appro-
pirate end in the assumption by Congress
OF the executive junction Of granting
psrdons, and 10 remove political dissbili.
ties which there was not legal power 90
impose WAS not an act Of 50 much grace
rs TO form a plausible prctsIt for the
reckless dstribs OF Mr.. Blaine. The
papers preserved by DR.. Stevenson, hap
phily furnish full proof Of the causes OF
the disease and deaths at Andcr-
sonvile. They arc now l be-
heve in Richmond, AMI it Is 10 bc
hoped there publication not bo much
longer delayed. have not the taste for
recrimination through the sad recitals
made by our soldiers who returned from
northern prisons can never be forgotten,
and YOU will remember the excitement
those censurious publications that was
uttered against mo because l would not
visit on the helpless prisoners in our
hands such barbaraty as according 10 re
ports had been inflicted up
on our men. improvements is
n hard lot at best and the prisoners
are prove TO exaggerate their suilorings,
and such was probably the case on both
sides, but all did not seek, by the reports
of the Commissioners with photographic
illustrations, 10 inaame the passions of
our peop g. How was il with our enc
my? Let one example suffice. You
may remember published rcpor, of
committee of the United States Congress,
which Was sent to Annapolis 10 visit the
same exchanged prIsones, and which had
appended 10 il photographs and
ef some emaciated subjects, which were
offered AS samples Of prisoners returned
from the South. When copy Of that
report WAS received ] sent IL 10 Colonel
Ould, commissioner for the exchange Of
prisoners and learned Ms i anticipated
that the photographs had been takcs
from men who were in our hospitals
when they were liberated for exchange
and whom the hospital surgeon regarded
rs convalesccnt, but too weak Ia be re-
moved with safety TO themselves. The
anxiety Of the prisoners TO be sent homo
had prevailed ovor tho objections Of tho
surgeon, but ~ not all, Tor
| have recently learned from
priest who was then NJ Annapo-
lie, the most wretched looking Of pho
graphs wa. taken from a man who had
never been n prisoner OF war, but who
mad been left on the sick list at Annapo-
rs, when the command 10 which he wu
attached had passed through that place
on its southwark march. Whatever
may be said in eItenuation Of such i'm.
posture, because Of the eIigcncio. Of tho
the attempt Of Mr.. Blaine by
gross misrepresentation and slanderous
accusation 10 revive the worst passions of
war, and II is 20 be- hoped that, much NJ
the event il 10 be regretted, IL will have
the good effect Of eveklng truthful state
ments in regard ~ this little undcrstoos
subject from men wbo would have pre-
ferrcd 10 leave their sorrowful story nn.
told, # the subject could have been allow.
ed % sink into oblivion. Mutual
rcspect is neodful for the common inter
est is essential 10 n friendly union, and
when SANDER is promulgated from high
places, public welfare demands that truth
should strip the false head Of IL power
for evil. ! am, respectfully and truly,
your friend.
Signed JETYERsos DAyrs.