The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-12

Of War Records copies Of his own letters during
the years l864'65.
feel for Senators Brown and Vance strong
personal respect and believe their action dur
ing the war and since has been manly and fir,
but there was a correspondence between the
Governors of States in rebellion with the Rich
mond authorities about the conscript law, the
supervision of the writ of habeas corpus. and the
use of State troops, which, If published, would
be valuable contribution to the history of our
times. | never had any feeling of bitterness
toward the soldiers of the South, who fought
and took all the chances of battle. because
knew all the influences which had made them
believe they were fighting for their own country
ard for freedom; but toward the original con-
spirators / did feel a wrath somewhat akin to
that Of Mr.. Stephens, in April, 1864, which he
described as enough to burst ten thousand bot
ties Yet, even as to them, if convinced that
have been deceived, or bamboozled, | shall
not hesitate to admit it, though it will take
more denials than any have yet heard or seen
in print
/ have never been personally acquainted with
Mr.. Davis, because was in California during
the whole period of his administration of the
Wax Department--1e53'57 -but during the civil
war, and since, his name has been used univers-
ally as synonymous with treason and the cause
of the rebellion, with its lists of hundreds of
thousands of the bravest youths of our land
dead or mangled; with the necessary waste and
devastation of property; with an awful national
debt, and with q pension roll of $780, 0O0 600 at
this very date. If am prejudiced against him
personally, it arises from the fact that he more
than any living man. has brought reproach on
the Military Academy and,the regular army with
which he was associated from 1924 to 1885, by
impairing the fair fame they had earned for
fidelity to their oaths, to recover which we have
had to battle with an adverse public opinion ever
since. While he was a cadet and an army
officer he must have taken the custom
airy oaths to support, maintain and
defend the Constitution of the United
States against all her enemies and opposers
whomSoever,h and whilst Secretary of War and
senator in Congress he must have taken SINH
lar OATH yet he did conspire with others early
as January, 1861, after Mr.. Lincoln was fairly
and constitutionally elected President of the
United States, to destroy the very government
which he had sworn to defend, and he did set UP
another government necessarily hostile to it, of
which he became the head, and did, whilst
President of the Southern Confederacy change
his States right principles" the very doctrine
on which he had justified secession from the
United States and then opposed State SOW
ereignty. These are plain, palpable facts not
likely to be forgotten by the present generation,
or the next, if ever. l say, therefore, with full
knowledge of the consequences, he enrolled his
name with those Of Arnold and Burr, instead of,
as he might have done, with Washington and
Lincoln.
This is all propose to say at this time. Mean
time the government will l trust, go on to pub
lish the records and correspondence of the war,
both Z Mon and confederate, and can await the
result with perfect conposure.
The Grand Army of the Republic, ALSO with
its a, 900 posts and 254 asa old Union soldiers,
will continue to meet to interchange their
thoughts, sing their patriotic songs and perpet-
uate the memories and traditions of the war Of
the rebellion, quite as important and quite as
lasting as can be the more formal documentary
history
No nation can afford to put fidelity and treach-
cry on par and hope to survive: and that this
government means to survive and perpetuate
its invaluable advantages l have abundant
faith.
will also append to this letter documents,
one of whlch--the ''secret message of Mr. Davis
of Feb 3. 1864, to the confederate Congress-has
never before, to my knowledge been published.
The original was captured and is held by a
friend who claims it as a trophy. I am, with
greatest respect, your obedient servant
w II. SHERMAN General