National Republican., 1885-01-17
DR.. GARNETT REPLIES.
HE ANSWERS THE LETTER OF MIR. HIDELL,
OF GEORGIA.
An Explanation OF the Conversation Which
EIicitcd the Defense Of Mr.. stephens by His
Former Sccretary-Jefr Davis's Action ns to
the state Of Kentucky.


To The Editor.
In your issue of yesterday, which has
Just been handed to me, l find COM
munication signed by a Mr.. w. II. Hidell
of Rome, Go. Who Mr.. w. II. Hidell, Of
Rome Ga, is know not never having
heard of that individual before. Judg-
ing, however from the character of that
communicate l should say that he must
be q lunatic. He makes gross and often
siyo attack upon mo without evon
shadow of provocation, in which ho ex-
hibits as much ignorance as impudence,
and while in view of my estimate of this
offensive, diffusiye, and obtrusive speci-
men of Georgia breeding l do not
feel called upon to notice him,
shall, simply for tho benefit OF others,
correct some of his misstatcments.
In the first place, as you are doubtless
aware, there was no interview, as gem
orally understood, between your reporter
and myself, but published recollection n
by that gentleman OF tho substance OF
my conversation, and consequently liable
to inaccuracies in regard to the language
used. The gentleman called upon me,
and the conversation turne d upon the
Davis and Sherman correspondence.
When / communicated to him fact
which | have frequently before stated,
illustrating Mr.. Davis's position on tho
subject Of states rights, and having direct
bearing / thought upon the point at issue
between Mr.. Davis and Gen. Sherman.
When he arose to leave the office he re-
marked that he would like to publish tho
substance of what had told him III one
of tho morning papers, to which l as
hn anta In IN.
port Of our conversation were correctly
given, the mannor in which he referred
to my personal relations TO Mr.. Davis and
his cabinet was we'll calculated to place
me in the attitude of making an egotisti-
cal display of such association, when
nothing could be more foreign to my
feelings or intentions. There are
other expressions not made by me, also
used by your reporter, which might occa-
sion some criticism. These inaccuracies
i recognized Immediately on reading tho
report, but considering them almost un-
avoidable and too lato to correct con-
cluded to suffer the penalty of going into
the newspapers.
OF THE Low AND vuLGAR ALLUsIoNs
to me professionally made by this man
Hidell | shall not condescend to take
notice Why he should have felt himself
me am entirely at loss to conjecture,
unless, regarding me as friend to Mr..
Davis, he considered it a fit opportunity
to crafty his vanity and make q covert
and yindictive attack upon that gcntle-
man.
In his lapored and entirely useless his.
torical illusions he only serves to demon
strate tho truth of my position that
"Kontucky was left to her fate" At the
time of my conversation with Mr. Davis
to which this report refers early in 1861,
it was we'll understood that the federal
government had determined to establish
its power over the state Of Kentucky by
military occupation, as it did in the case
of Maryland, and prevent any constitu-
tional action by the state authorities
looking to an alliance with the confeder-
ate states. 1t was equally clear to the
comprehension of every sensible man in
Richmond that unless this act on the part
of the federal government was antici-
pated and checkmated if possible by the
confederate government, the result would
be a loss to the latter of the state o.
kentucky. and that the step must be
taken Immediately. There was no time
for the assembling of conventions. pass
ing of ordinances of secession. or actor
of state legislatures. The federal gov
ernment was about to seize the state anC
dominate her legislative and executiv,
action. 1t was precisely in thi
emergency that l, together will
have no doubt many others, sought Mr.
Davis to ascertain what he would do, ant
when confronted with the situation o
kentucky, and asked what action he woul'
take, he sternly and promptly replied tha
while he deplorad the loss of that stat
ho could not for one moment entertain th
I'll. az t.,1 a.F taa
rights and ignoring the sanctity of stat
sovereignty by sending troops within he
territory. So that Kentucky was left I
her fate the fate that we all foresaw, an
which no subsequent effort on the part {
the confederate government could aver
Tho Brcckinrdge convention came to
late. The rubicon had been passed, an
MR.. DAVIS DID ILLUSTRATE.
his nice regard for states rights under Gil
cumstances we'll calculated 70 tempt hil
to act otherwise, Notwithstanding tn
oracular statements of this would-b
statesman upon whom it is clear tn
mantle of SAlexander II. Stephen
has not fallen. And now with regard I
my alusion to Mr.. Stephens. | believ
that my answer o the question pre-
pounded by your reporter has bee
correctly reported. and fail to SEQ in
anything calumnious or offensive.
made, it will be seen, no charge againt
Mr. Stephens, but said that he must hav
known that there was no truth in such
charge. l agree with this supersoryict
able defender of Mr.. Stephens that h
letters do not specifically charge h
Davis with entertaining any such desig
of creating himself dictator. My relation
with Mr.. Stephens since the terminatio
of the war were of friendly natur
During the war ! saw but little of him,
he WAS seldom in Richmond. Since lS6
! have professionally attended Nj
Stephens OH moro than one occasion, an
onco rs consulting physician throug
aspell OF illness. As further evidence
kindly feeling between us | may reft
you to JohnsOn's Encyclopedia, where yo
will find short biographies of severi
members OF my family, including one
me, written by Mr.. Stephens, which wei
submitted in the proof by him to me ft
any needed correction. If he entertainc
any hostile feeling for me he never mar
ifestod it, being at all times courteoI
and kind in his manner whenever we me
Certainly had none against him sha
write to Mr. Davis for his recollection
my conversation with him on the subje(
of occupying the state Of Kentucky wit
confederate troops, aud, If he consent
will furnish you with his reply for pu
lication. Very truly and respectfully,
A. Y. p. GARNETr, NJ. ID.
Sunday. Jan. IL.
-S-=------