The state herald., 1891-07-10

Aho ioioWiuB ictJcT WAS WrlItoH W
Senator Hawley. some time ago:
Hon. JOSEPH X. HAwLEY.
Washington. ID. G.
MY DEAR SENAToR:-You will recall
mo rs member. seth and 10th Con-
crosses, from this State, and as hav-
Ing actively aided you in your State
In your first fight and victory for Gov
ernor. In the Senate debates some
time since, and also recently at Il
Fourth of July celebration. 1have seen
you quoted us hostile. to the bill
reported in the House to
pension prisoners Of war. A
strong admirer and friend OF
yours. have greatly regretted this.
I was fourteen months in Libby Prison,
from March, 1868, to May, 1864. l
have personal experience, but my
own was surpassed in misery in many
respects by thousands. GOULD the
senators and members only believe
(they- cannot realize) tho stories Of
mental and physical agony told Of
those prison-pens Of torture and death; ;
picture only one-half the actual SUI
ferings we endured, am sure every
one OF You would. reflect upon your
selves every night before you retire,
so long as you fail to pass this bill.
i am quite sure you cannot find n
survivor OF rebel prisons, who was in
their hands after June, 1868, who will
not tell you he would have gladly
charged the enemy in the field every
day OF the year. and taken his chances
for life, in preference to remaining IL
day. as tho situation was, in rebel
prisons.
Grant and tho war department may
have been right in refusing to ex-
change prisoners, on the theory that
by 50 doing we gave TO the other side
an army Of strong men in exchange
for our starved soldiers; and that TO
allow us to starvo and suffer and die,
saved thousands OF soldiers who were
in our armies In tho field; and rem
dered new recruits not needed. That
is, we were thus weakening the en-
emy. So we were.
War is always cruel. This was the
cruelty of cruelties, 1t was n most
extraordinary position OF most heroic
sutferings, which our government
compelled us TO undergo, and IL on
titles us TO extraordinary considera-
tion, and special honors. Aye, II you
wish to put II so. rewards.
II is the basest OF ISLANDERS TO say
that any soldiers In our armies after
June. 1868. when the cartel was sus-
pended (yes, and bofore). was volun-
tariiy II prisoner. Tho history OF our
war and its battles show that the
mon who went farhtcst 10 the front
fought dercest In tho fight remained
longest on the field and were last to
retreat, are the mon who were cap
turcd.
| cannot think, my dear General
you have hooked at this matter in Its
proper light. knew you were II
brave soldier. and think you are n
Christian man. ] believe you have
unmeaningly done the prisoners Of
war nm injustice, and ! appeal TO you
TO correct IL.
That 65, 600, 900 with more wealth
huu luxury tnhn SoioinoH III All HE
glory ever thought Of, and all this,
and this magnificent country and Its
marvellous splendors. with its gloriou,
freedom. should stop TO count the cost
Of pensions; all figured up, oven TO
two thousand millions OF dollars, par
celed and doled out until we are all
gone-and we survivors are old men
now-is to write down this great peo.
pie as incxcusably mem and wholly
wanting In gratitude 10 those who
took their lives In their hands and
made this mighty people what they
| are
lam sure you will pardon my writ.
ing TO you, and my hope is TO cause
you TO use your power and influence
to help as many soldiers who survive
as possible TO carry certificate oi
pension. not as n beggar or pauper,
but n paper bearing the seal OF his
country tnat he Is ono OF those who
snved tho Republic.
SAMUEL MCKEE.
Captain. Fourteenth Kentucky cav.
airy, PIG Fifth street, Louisville, Ky.