Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-12-13
BATON ROUGE. LOUISIANA. TUESDAY, DECEMBER Is. Isl

pulse when burned the letter was tha'
the evidence to condemn my friend
should not remain with me-"
/ The correspondent asked Mr.. Mat
thews: 'Who else saw that letter be
side yonrselfr
I "No other living man after it came
into my possession. It was sealed and
directed to Mr.. John F. Coyle, one o.
the editors Of the National Intelligen.
GER"
edo You recall its contentsp
"Almost as wildly as though had
just committed them to memory. II
began:
| WASHINGTON, D. c., April IA, 1866
10 my countrymen: For years have
devoted my time, my energies, and ev-
cry dollar ! possessed in the world for the
furtherance Of an object. / have been
baffled and disappointed. The hour has
come when must change my plan.
Many, know-the herd-wlll blame me
for what | am about to do, but posteri-
ty, ! am sure, will Justify me. Right or
wrong, God judge me, not man. Be my
motive good or bad, Of one thing l am
sure-the lasting condemnation of the
North. love peace more than life.
have loved the Union beyond express
sion. For four or five years / waited,
hoped, and prayed for the dark clouds to
break, and for restoration of our FORM
er sunshine. To wait longer would be a
crime. My prayers have proved as idle
as my hope. Gods will be done. / 90
to see and share the bitter end. This
war is q war with the Constitution and
The reserved rights of the States
1t is war upon Southern rights and
institutions. The nomination of Abra-
ham Lincoln, four years ago, bespoke
war. His election forced it. / have
held the South was right. In foreign
struggle l, too, could say, "My country
right or wrong" but in such struggle
as ours where the brother tries to pierce
the brothers heart, for Gods sake
choose the right! When country like
this spurns justice from her side she for
feits the allegiance Of honest freemen,
and should leave him untrampled by
any fealty soever to act as his consci-
ence may approve. People Of the North,
to hate tyranny, to love liberty and JUS
tice' to strike at wrong and oppression,
was the teaching Of our fathers, The
study Of early history will not let me
forget it, and may it never.
/ do not want to forget the heroic pa
triotism Of our fathers who rebelled
against the oppression Of the mother
country. This country was formed by
the Write, not the black man, and look
ing upon African slavery from the same
standpoint held by the noble trainers of
our Constitution, ] for one have ever
considered it one Of the greatest bless
ings, both for themselves and us, that
God ever bestowed upon q favored ma
ton. Witness heretofore our wealth
and power. Witness their elevation and
enlightenment above their condition
elsewhere. ! have lived among it most
Of my life, and have seen less harsh
treatment from master to man than /
have beheld in the North from father to
son. Yet, Heaven knows no one would
be willing to do more for the negro race
than !, could but see way to still |
better their condition,
But LINCOLN's POLICY
is only preparing the way tor their an
Inhalation. The South are not, nor have
they been fighting for the continuance
Of slavery. The first battle of Bull Run
lid away with that idea. Their causes
since for war have been as noble and
greater far than those that urged our
athers on. Even should we allow they|
we're wrong at the beginning Of this
conflict, cruelty and injustice have made
he wrong become the right, and they
tand now the wonder and admiration
t the world as noble band of patriotic
eroes. Hereafter, reading of their
eeds, II
THERMoPYLAE WILL BE FORGOTTEN. Il
When added in the capture and ex-
cution Of John BrowD--who was al
murderer on our Western border, and 9
tho was fairly tried and convicted be- (
ire an impartial judge and jury of trea- 4
IN, and who, by the way, has since
cen made god-I was proud Of my l
tile share in ths transaction, for / d
semed it my duty, and that was
elplng our common country to perform
! act of justice. Butw what was a crime IN