The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1876-02-15

HE RISES TO EXPLAIN TIL E
ANDERSONVILLE
OUTRAGEs.
His Humanitarian Efforts I'm
the Cause of Prisoners.
what His Opinion OF the Amnesty
.Question Is..

IQuestion 1s..
WAsHISGToss Feb. G.-Jefferson Da-
Wis has written the following letter to
Judge Lyons, of Richmond, Va:
New ORLEANS, Jan. 81.
Hon. James Lyons:
My DEAR FRIRSD-Your very kind
letter Of the l4th inst. was forwarded
from Memphis aud received at this
place. have been so long the object
OF malignant slander and the subject
OF unscrupulous falsehood by partizans
Of the class Of Mr.. Blaine, that though
1 cannot say it has become to me
matter OF indifference, il has ceased to
excite my surprise, even in this in
stance, when il reaches the extremity
of accusing me Of cruelty to prisoners.
What matters ID to one whose object il
personal and party advantage that re-
cords, both Federal and Confederate,
disprove the charge; that the country
is full OF witnesses who bear oral testi-
mony against il, and that the effort TO
revive tho bitter animositiss Of the war
obstructs the progress toward the re-
| oonciliation of sections. IL is enough
for him il his self-seeking purpose be
promoted.
Ii would, however, seem probable
that such expectations must be disap-
pointed, for only those who are wilful-
ly blind can fail TO see in the circum-
stances OF the case the fallacy OF Mr..
Blaine's statements. The published
fact Of an attempt to suborn Wirz
when under sentence OF death by prom
al i'm ri l. IL
me In regard to the Andersonville pris-
oners is conclusive as to the wish OF
the government to make such charge
against me; and the failure to do so
shows that nothing could be found to
sustain it. May we not say tho evil
dence of nay innocence was such that
Holt and Conover. with their trained
band OF snborned witnesses, dared not
make against me this charge which
Wirz for his life would not make, but
which Blaine for a Presidential nomin-
alton has made. Now let use review
the leading facts in the case.
The report OF the Confederate com
missioner for the exchange Of prison
ers shows how persistent and liberal
were our efforts TO secure the relief of
captives. Failing in those attempts /
instructed Gen. X. T.. Lee to 20, under
q flag of truce, and seek an interview
with Gen. Grant TO represent To them
the suffering and death of Federal
prisoners held by us; TO explain the
causes, which were beyond our control,
and to urge in the name Of humanity
the observance of the cartel for an ex.
change OF prisoners. To this as TO all
previous appeals deaf ear was turned.
/ will not attempt from memory TO
write the report made to me Of the in
cidents Of this mission. Lee no longer
lives to defend the cause aud the coun-
try he loved SO well and served SO Elf
cisntly, but Gen. Grant cannot fail to
remember so extraordinary a visit and
his objections TO executing the cartel
are we'll known to the public. But who
ever else may choose to forget my ef-
forts in this regard, the prisoners OF
Andsrsonville and the delegates per-
mitted them to send to President Lin
coin to lplead for resumption of ex-
change OF prisoners cannot fail to re-
member how willing / was to restore
them TO their homes and to the CON-
forts OF which they were in need, pro-
vided that the imprisoned soldiers Of
the Confederacy should be in like man
ner released and returned to us.
The foul accusation, though directed
specially against me, was no doubt in
tended and naturally must be the ar
raignment of the South, by whose
authority and in whose behalf my
deeds we're done. 1t may be presumed
that the feelings and habits Of South
ern soldiers were understood by me,
and in the connection any fair mind
would perceive in my congratulatory
order to the army that after q victory
in which the troops were most com
mended for their tenderness and gen.
eresity to the wounded and other cap
tives, as well by the instincts OF the
person who issued the order as the
knightly temper OF the soldiers to
whom il was addressed. II is admit
ted that prisoners in our hands were
not as well provided for as we would
like il; but il is claimed we did as well
for them as could. Can the ether side
say as much?
To bold allegations OF ill-treatment
OF prisoners by our side and hnmane
treatment and adquate supplies by onr
opponents it is only necessary to offer
two facts; first, il appears from reports
OF the United States War Department
that though we had GO, 900 more Fede-
raj prisoners than they had Confeder-
ates q thousand more Of the Confeder-
stes died in Southern prisons. Second,
the want and suffering OF men in
Northern prisons caused me TO ask for
permission 10 send ont cotton and buy
supplies for them. The request was
granted, but only on condition that the
cotton should be sent TO New York and
the supplies be bought there. General
Beale, now Of ST. Louis, was authoriz-
ed TO purchase and distribute the need
ful supplies. Our synpathies rose to
the occasion and responded to the de-
mands, not waiting for ten years to
vaunt itself when il could serve no good
purpose to the suffering.
Under the mellowing influence Of
| time aud occasional demonstrations at
/ the North desiring a restoration Of
peace and good will, the Southern peo-
pie have forgotten much. have forgiven
much, OF the wrongs they bore. IL IL
be less so among their invaders IL is
but another example OF the rule that
the wrong doer is less able TO forgive
than he who has suffered causeless
wrong. II is not, however, generally
among those who braved the hazards
Of battle that unrelenting vindictive-
ness is TO be found. The brave and
generous are gentle. II is the skulkcrs
OF the fight, the Blaines who display
their flag on an untented field. They
made no sacrifice TO prevent the sepa-
ration OF States. Why should they be
expected to promote the confidence and
good will essential to their union.
When closely confined at Fortress
Monroe, I was solicited TO add my
name 10 those OF many esteemed gen
tlemen who had signed q petition foi
pardon, and an assurance was givsr
that on my doing so the President
would order my Liberation. Confident
OF the justice Of our cause aud the rec
titude Of my own conduct declined u
sign the petition and remained subject
10 the inexcusable privations aud tor
lures which DIR. Crauen has but faintl,
described. When after two years ol
close confinement I was admitted Il
bail, as often as required appearet