Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-16
From the Republic
from Tue IepuOIIc'
IN TIE SCRTIVORS OF REBEL PRIS-
on PENS.

IO I'M - ~ S<'S
on PENS.
Jefferson Davis, in letter dated New
Orleaus, Louisiana, January 20, 1876, and
addressed to the Honorable James Lyons.
Petersburg, Virginia, makes defiant de-
NAL of the arraignment made by the Hon
orable James G Blaine, of Maine, and by
General James A. Garfield, of Ohio. OF
his direct and personal responsibility FOR
the cruel treatment of the Union soldiers
who were prisoners of war to the Confed-
eracy of which Mr. Davis was President.
He goes further, and, like Mr.. Benjamin
H. Hill, Representative in the Forty fourth
Congress. from Georgia, who was also a
member of the Confederate States Senate,
from the same State, the rebel eN-Presl-
dent denies altogether that unnecessary
suffering ensued among. or upJustihaoie
harshness or cruelty was practiced against
those of our soldiers who were SO unfor-
tunate as to be prisoners within the pens
at Andsrsonylle, Florence, Salisbury,
Belle Isle, and Tyler, or in the tobacco
warehouses OF Libby and Castle Thunder
The denial is a bold and sweeping one
Its audacitv rises to sublimity. 1t not on
ly denies but accuses. The Union Is as
sailed as having, through its officials ana
policy, treated the Confederate prisoners
in its hands as bad or worse than our men
were used in Andersonville, Belle Isle,
and elsewhere. 1t is also charged with
causing the sufferings of the latter by the
policy it pursued of refusing to exchange
Now, as to one part of Mr.. Jefferson
Davis denial and counter accusation, there
is a direct and unassahable method OF OBJ
tanning evidence. The survivors OF the
rebel prison pens still remain among us.
Those of Andersonville formed an asso-
citation which is still in existence. We
call upon every man who was captured
and confined by the Confederates during
the civil war for slavery and disunion to
at once give to the public brief and d.
rect account OF his personal experiences.
Lei cACu Dlhu WIltC " thC uCoISoe Az PAO
lican paper simple statement Of his name.
regiment. rank, date Of capture, length
of confinement, when exchanged, the
treatment he himself received as to food,
shelter, medical care. &C., as we'll as to
the action of those in charge. Avoid all
rhetoric, denounce no one, give as far as
practicable the names OF Confederate ofh-
GERS, &C., in command; also, any special
instances as to others known TO the sur
yiyors, the details of which are readily
substantiable.
With regard to the treatment of rebe
prisoners in the northern entrepots, there
is as direct method of obtaining reliable
testimony. Officers who were in COM
mand of such prisons are still living, as
are also soldiers who were stationed there
at. Their evidence will be Of value.
In every place where such prisoners ex-
listed local sanitary and Christian associa-
tons existed. the members Of which bus
led themselves in caring for the sick and
wounded, and in visiting the prisons and
camps. Reputable citizens at Elmxa.
Rock Island, Chicago, Columbus, and
elsewhere know the facts. Let them
give their testimony. The honor of ones
country should be sacred. We who fought
for liberty and union surely have as vital
AN interest in that honor as the men who
compelled us to fight by their mad attempt
to perpetuate slavery and destroy the
Union. Let US have the facts
Bear in mind that the object Of such
communications is not partisan but bislor
ical. Two civilizations or systems of gov
eminent have been and still are on
trial. This question of Andersonville and
its attendant horrors belongs to the trial.
The case has been reopeued. and the YER
dict once solemnly rendered is now chal
lenged. A cloud of witnesses are still
living. Let them give the facts. Com
munications can also be sent to the Office
of The Republic. Washington ID. c, if
writer's do not desire to send to their
county or other journals. Let every man
respond, and at once. The good name of
the Union is sought to be assailed, and
feculent treason seeks historical yindica-
ton by these audacious falsehoods.