The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-07-03

baptism of suffering they became children of the
Republic, and no inducement of release from mis-
cry, wretchedness, and suffering could tempt them
TO forget the cause for which they periled ALL With
them life, liberty, and happiness were freely of
fered for the Union. They put away the evil
genius OF selfishness and remained true to their
country. Their sufTerings and sorrows grew but
Instead of faltering they kept the faith and their
patriotism and devotion shine out respIendent.
Never curing all that long and terrible struggle
was there such trial of souls by the ordeal OF
Their valor and their heroism should win The
homage OF history aud the gratitude of the Amcri
can people. Few of us to-day can comprehend the
splendOr of their resolve, the Bublimity of their
suferiuRs, and the granite character OF these cap
lives of the war. Their Imprisonment WAS gi-
gantic sum of suffering, loss and grief with n null
tiiudc OF deaths Il is impossible to estimate their
suffering; u Us impossible to contemplate without
plying admiration the fidelity of these men who
gave 90 much without "a murmur for the redeemed
glory of the flag. That they arc aforementioned up
TO to-day shows the speed with which time is press
ing back the scenes of the civil war
The memory of their grand faithfulness the ages
should not obiiteraie. Libby Belle Isle, Florence,
Salisbury, ard ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS these names
lingcr memories OF misery. There is light in
the gloom the poor prisoner of war saw IL not
all the hope hc gained was from tho skies which
were full OF plying sunshine. In the prisons Of
the South fory-five thousand boys in blue gave up
lis; around the stockades the bones of thousands
Of our soldiers molder until the judgment day
IL Is 10y the sacrifices of such that civilization
was made worthy of survival and it survives only
10y the sacrifice of such great souls. Forty five
thousand died IN these prisons that the Republic
might live. Aud If the shadowy hosts could pass
la silent review above us, they would rejoice If
just laws for their surviving comrades in sorrow
and suffering were enacted.
What an appeal FOR justice their ashen lips would
utter were speech gift of the dead They will
look down approvingy If just, To pass
this bill viii soften the memories Of the survivors.
Few Of the mighty array who rode ia the hurri-
cane of civil war endured and suffered what these
prisoners endured and suffered they
dragged by the iron chain of necessity.
hr. Speaker, / send to the Clerk desk 10 he
read this letter from commander of the Con-
federate forces, taken from the archives OF the
Confederate Government, which but too truly con
firms the suffering of the men at Andersonyile.
TINS letter mourntuliy establishes the fact that
those who entered there left hope behind:
ANDERsoNvILLE August s, 1854.
COLONEL: The following additional report of my
inspection at this point is respectfully submitted:
My duty requires me respectfully TO recommend
change in the officer in command of the post,
Brig Gen. }. H. Winder, and the substitution In
his place OF someone who unites both energy and
good judgment with some feeling of humanity and
consideration for the welfare and comfort $50 far
Is consistent with their safe-keeping) OF the vast
number OF uuioTiunates placed under his control;
someone who mt least will not advocate deliberate
~ aud in cold blood the propriety of leaving them
ia their present condition until their number has
been sufficiently reduced by death to make the
present arrangement suffice for their accommoda-
ton; who will not consider 1t n matter of selflau
ohtlon and Boosting that he has never been inside
Of the siocIade, place the horrors OF which IL is
difficult TO describe, and which il n disgrace TO
civilization; the condition OF which lac might, by
The exercise OF little energy and judgment, even
with the limited means at his command, have con-
sderably improved.
lam am, Colonel very respectfully, your obedient
ser'ehi, d. T. CHANDLER
assistant Adjltianf and Inspector General,
Col. r. II. Chiffon,
Assistant Adjutant and Inspector General. c. s. A.,
And now close the fearful chapter by asking
that this order, also taken from the records. be
read;
Orders. No 13)
HEADQUARTERS CONFEDERATE STATES !
MILITARY PRIsos,
ASDERsosy1LLE july q, 1864.
The officers duty aud in charge Of the battery
OF " Florida artillery at the time WILL upon re-
ceiying notice that the enemy have approached |
wiiin seven miles OF the post open fire upon the
sioeSade with grHpeshot, without reference to the
situation beyond these lines of defense.
IL - better that the last Federal be extermlnaIed
than be permitted to burn and pilagc the property
oi loyal citizens, AS they will do, II allowed 10
make their escape from prison.
by order of JOHN IL WISDER, Brigadier- General |
w. :. WmDER,
Adjutant- Generai.
present these testimonies OF the inhumanity to |
The prisoners 81 AndcTsonyiilc. not TO revive the
Tecoilecious Of the hateful and terrible period but
for the purpose OF exhibiting TO you what these |
men who ask slight recon- pense for their suffer
ing endured. ! would not recall that fearful pc |
Rod ia our Nations ~atory. This neglect by Con-
Rress OF these devoted soldiers may well challenge
the attention Of the student Of human affairs who
nation. The hour for justice has long since gone
by; II should be deferred no longer. These SUR |
yfvinE prisoners Of war growing old; the aw- \
ful experience that theirs hRs Jeff the incFAdi-
cable impress of suffering. Wgh too many, adyer-
sliy sits unseicone guest 81 their hearihstone.
To enact This bill into iaw w.t. know ia many
instances. light up the whitcned laces Of hunger
and despair.
Every menbcr should and believe win. vote |
Tor ihs bill We will thereby do a nuicIy Of justice
10 these suffering patriots. who have up to this |
date only received the neglected. attention of Con-
Eress BY this they, II possible will forget the |
past. The transforming and renewing hand Of |
lime j. hiding away from the memory Of men tho |
scenes Of these wreichcd days We seek continue
the rebuilding Of tie country. with as the |
y the skeleton ofthe past smiling peace tho genius
Of tie present. We bind MP the Nations wounds.
care Tor its defenders. pursue the conquests Of
peace, aud thus close The last fuFTow OF war.
iinguish the5ast prejudice, eiAoe the last yestige
Of hate"
The House adjourned at 1870 p. m.
SATURDAY, JUNE %