The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-02-23

WaltlnS 1Or Ten years then to vaunt
itself, when it could serve no good
purpose to the sufferers.
Under the mellowing influences of
time and the occasional demonstra-
tons of the North for desire for
the restoration of power and good
will, the Southern people have for
gotten much, have forgiven much, of
the wrongs they bear. If it be less
so among their invaders, it is but an
other example of the rule that the
wrong doer is less able to forgive
than he who has suffered causeless
wrong.
1t is not, however, generally among
those who braved the hazards of bat
tile that unrelenting vindictiveness is
to be found--the brave, and generous
and gentle. 1t is the sculkers of the
fght-the Blaines who display their
flag on an untented field. They made
no sacrifice to prevent the separation
of States, why should they be expec-
ted to promote the confidence and
good will essential to their union !?
When closely confined at Fortress
Monroe, 1 was solicited to add my
name to those of many esteemed gen.
tlemen who had signed a petition for
my pardon, and an assurance was
given that on my doing so the Presi
dent would order my liberation
Confident of the justice of our cause,
and the rectitude of my conduct, I
declined to sign the petition, and re-
manned subject to the inexcusable
privation and tortures which DR..
Craven has but family described.
When, after two years Of close con
6nement, | was admitted to bail, as
often as required appeared for trial
under the indictment found against
me, but in which Mr.. Blajne's fc-
tons, do not appear. The indict-
ment was finally quashed, on no ap-
plication of mine, nor have | ever
evaded or avoided trial on any
charge which the General Govern
ment might choose to bring against
me.
have no view of the future which
makes it desirable to me to be inclu-
ded in an amnesty bill. Viewed in
the abstract, or as general question
l would be glad to see the repeal OF
all laws inflicting the penalty of pc
litical liabilities on classes of people
that it might, as prescribed by the
Constitution, be left to the courts to
decide and to affix penalties according
to legislation.
The discrimination made against
our people is unjust andsimpolitic.-
If the fact be equality and the purpose
be fraternity among citizens of thu
: United States, conviction and sen
tence without a hearing, without ju
risdiction, and a!fixin5 penalties b.
ear post tacto legislation, are part of
! proceeding which had its appropriate
! place in the assumption by Congress
OF the executive function OF grantin!
: pardons. 10 remove political disa
D bitities which there was not lega
D power to impose, was not an act of s
much grace rs to form plausibl
s pretext for the reckless diatribe G
: Mr.. Blaine.
The papers preserved by DR.. Ste
q venson happily furnish full proof Q
n the cause of disease and death at AT
I Jacksonville. They are now, believe
s at Richmond, and it is to be hope
s that their publication will not long b
y delayed.
have no taste for recriminatiol
q though the sad recitals made by OF
J. soldiers returned from Northern pri:
ons can never be forgotten, and 20
l. will remember the excitement the
o produced and the censorious public'
e. ton which was uttered against m
y because I would not visit on the hell
E. less prisoners in our hands such ba
&c barities as, according to reports, ha
'e been inflicted upon our men. In
l. prisonment is hard lot at best, an
; prisoners are prone to exaggera1
u their sufferings, and such was pro-
r ably the case on both sides; but "
le did not seek by reports ofcommittee
'r with Photographic illustrations, to il
le fuence the passions of our peopl
IL How was it with our enemy2 l.
a one sample suffice. You very we
Of remember the published report of tt
s. committee of the United States Co
IS gress which was sent to Annapolis
l. visit some exchanged prisoners, ar