The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-07-18

no more than corps In the confederate ar
my. Who was Longstreet at Gettysburg
and Antietam An educated American SOL
dier fighting with desperate courage to es-
tablish an Independent government.
When the history of the late sectional
war shall be written, alongside of the names
of Gordon and Stonewall Jackson of Joseph
E. Johnston and Albert Sidney Johnston,
will be written in living letters the military
achievements of James Longstreet. Yet
nothing stood between him and civil prefer
ment the movement he was willing to turn
his back upon his old comrades who had
shared with him the bloody charge, the
nightly bivouac, and the overwhelming dis
aster that fell upon them at the close. And
am | to sit still in my seat and hear
hourly reproaches from the mouths of men
who have confirmed James Longstreet to a
civil Office, because this side of the chamber
is composed in part of those who were in the
same contest by his side? No, sir, do not
propose to do it. / propose to appeal to
fairness, for common honesty, and common
deceucy to the country upon this question.
| do not intend that the record shall be
made up in the interest of injustice. 1t is
not in the power of republican senators to
make it up in the. way they propose, for
the truth is not their way. Their accusa-
tions shall recoil on their own heads. Their
charges rest upon false foundations. If
there is guilt at all on this subject the lead
ers of the republican party are themselves
the guilty parties. Other officers may be
cited in Louisiana. Colonel Wharton is
United States marshal. He was confeder-
ate officer. Colonel VIM. H. dough is a
district Judge, Mr.. Leonard is United
States district attorney. Col. Smith is post
master at Baton Rouge, George B. johnson
was late auditor, Alexander Boarmsn is
United States judge, General P. .. Herber.
was in office as one of the levee commits.
sioners under General Grant. All these
were officers in the confederate army.
l cannot dwell, however, longer on Louis
lana. | turn for moment to Alabama.
Who was judge Humphreys, who is now of
the judiciary of this district? Is there any
Office of more Importance than judicial of
fee? Who was judge Humphreys? He rails
ed regiment for the confederate service
He had, however, only to join the republi-
can party and he was at once appointed one
of the judges of the supreme court of this dis
trlct, where he now sits, He was confirm
ed by republican senators, who now prate
about the presence of confederate briga-
diers in the public service.
/ have heard ofthe means of grace. I
used when boy to attend camp meetings.
l have heard the richest outpourings of the
gospel. l have heard grace described as a
fountain flowing in boundess beauty and
illmitable wealth. have listened when it
was claimed that this grace washed away
all stains cleansed the murderer's soul on
the gallows, purified and gave peace to the
guiltiest conscience ever called shivering
and quaking with fear from this world to
the world beyond; but l have never before
heard of a fountain of grace so wide, so
deep, so exhaustless, so spontaneous in its
unceasing flow as that of the republican
party to confederate officers if they will only
vote the republican ticket.