The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-08
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Col. Blacks Address.

70 the Editor of the Indianapolis Journals
The best newspapers are liable to get and
publish inaccurate reports of verbal utterances.
When read in your issue of Wednesday the
brief account of a speech made by me the night
before. at George 81. Thomas Post, I noticed
that the matter was stated in other words than
mine. and in such form as to give a shade of
meaning which had not in mind when spoke,
and to convey wrong impression of what
said.
The belief that so unimportant matter
would not attract enough attention to have any
ill effect, as well as natural reluctance to writ
ing to newspaper about myself, caused me to
dismiss the subject from my thoughts. But in
your issue of this morning you have done me
the uncoveted honor of devotine considerable
space, taking my wrongly-repor ted words as a
text.
did not say that ''the day had come" for
anything or say that i'll feeling should cease, or
use the words ill feeling or use any express
ion capable of being construed advice sug-
gestion that there ought to be any change of
feeling, sentiment attitude the part of
those to whom and concerning whom alone my
words were spoken. Nor did / apologize for
anything or any person.
was speaking of the principles and objects
of that great and benefcent order. the Grand
Army of the Republic. sought to express my
pride in the national organization. in our depart
ment of Indiana, and in our post dwet
briefly on the subjects of fraternity, charity and
loyalty. In speaking of loyalty / said, in sub
stance that it is of the purposes of that as
ISOLATION to cultivate the spirit and principle of
loyalty; that no man on whom any stain of
treason rests can become member of the Grand
Army of the Republic, and that only those can
have that honor who proved their devotion to
the flag by offering to sacrifice their lives for
our country. In this same connection / said
that 1--WE do not hate the South that we fought
to compel the people of the South to remain in
the Union and glad that succeeded;
that being in the Union and part of our great
Nation. it is but reasonable that we should de
sire friendly feeling between the sections, and
that we entertain such feeling for the people
of the South so long they do not teach Sc
cession seek to uphold their lost cause. that
we never did hate personally the men with
whom we fought; that as brave foemen meeting
us in line of battle it could not but be that
they should have inspired as they did, our re-
spect for their courage but that we hate treason.
and we hate secession, and we hate the flag of
secession, and we love with an unspeakable de-
votion the flag of the Union.
Some portions of your editorial advice as to
how we should feel is so nearly the same. not
only in meaning but also in language, what I
said we do feel, that while reading it thought
the writer must have heard my little speech.
After reading your learned editorial. though
quite confident that / said what meant, have
asked intelligent comrades who sat Immediately
in nv presence, and have found that they did
not receive any impression from my words that
would permit such an Interpretation as has been
placed upon them.
In this connection / cannot with propriety
talk politics, for the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie as such has partisan politics, though
think that its members are all of that sort who
have political convictions and affiliations
Permit me to say modestly. but earnestly
that / have no maudlin sentiment concerning
the war or its principles or results. and that /
am not wavering uncertain in my opinions,
but have distinct and well-defned convictions on
these matters, which / have often expressed,
and which / expect always to entertain and
utter.
Perhaps ii is not inadmissible for me to re-
mind the learned writer in your paper mat IL
was at the close of the second inaugural. ana
not at Gettysburg that. our great Lincoln
spoke the grand and beautiful words with
malice toward none" etc. OF course. the person
who thus through the inadvertence or nasty
newspaper writing. confuses the noble utter
anees of Americas greatest statesmen. needs
only this slight suggestion TO recall to bis mind
the closing words of the Gettsburg classic.
/ appreciate thankfully your kind expressions
concerning me personally. and have no thought
that your writer intended to misrepresent me;
nor do claim exemption from criticism, but ].