The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-06-14

force Of arms. drove out insolent in
truders and took possession Of our own
forts and arsenals, to resist your claims
to dominion over masters, slaves and
Indians, all OF whom are to this day,
with a unanimity unexampled In the
history OF the world, warning against
your attempts to become their masters.
You say that we tried to force Ken
lucky and Missouri into rebellion in
spite Of themselves. The truth Is, my
Government, from the beginning OF this
struggle to this hour, has again and
again offered, before the whole world,
to leave it to the unbiased will Of these
States, and all others. to determine for
themselves whether they will cast their
destiny with your Government or ours;
and your Government has resisted this
fundamental principle Of free institu-
tons with the bayOnet, and labors daily,
by force and fraud, to fasten its hateful
tyranny upon the unfortunate freemen
OF these States. You say we flashed
the vote Of Louisiana. The truth is
from your Government by nearly al
unanimous vote Of her people, but has
vindicated the act upon every battle
field from Gettysburg to the Sabine, and
has exhibited an heroic devotion to her
decision which challenges the admira-
ton and respect Of every man capable
Of feeling sympathy for the oppressed
say that we turned loose pirates to
plumber your unarmed ships. The truth
Is, when you robbed us of our part of
the navy, we built and bought q few
vessels, hoisted the flag of our country,
and swept the seas, in defiance OF your
navy, around the whole circumference
OF the globe. You say we have expelled
Union families by thousands. The truth
Is, not single family has been expelled
from the Confederate States that I am
aware OF: but, on the contrary, the
moderation OF our Government toward
traitors has been fruitful theme of
denunciation by It's enemies and we'll
meaning friends Of our cause. You say
my Government. by acts OF Congress
has confiscated all debts due Northern
men for goods sold and delivered The
truth is. our Congress gave due and
ample time to your merchants and
traders to depart from our shores with
their ships, goods and effects. and only
sequestrated the property OF our enc
mics in retaliation for their acts, de-
claring US traitors and confiscating our
property wherever their power ex-
tended. either in their country or our
own. Such are your accusations. and
such are the facts known Of all men to
be true.
Exiling n Population.
"You order into exile the whole popu-
latton OF city: drive men, women and
children from their homes at the point J
OF the bayonet under the plea that it
is to the interest OF your Government.
and on the claim that 1t is an act OF
kindness to these families OF Atlanta.
Butler only banished from New Or.
leans the registered enemies OF his Gov
eminent, and acknowledged that he did
as punishment. You issue a sweep
ing edict. covering all the inhabitants Of
city, and add insult to the injury
heaped upon the defenseless by assum-
ing that you have done them kind
ness. This you follow by the assertion
that you will make as much sacrifice
Tor the peace and honor OF the South
as the best born Southerner.' And be-
cause | characterize what you call al
Kindness as being real cruelty you pre-
sumo to sit in Judgment between me-
and my God: and YOU decide that my
earnest prayer to the Almighty Father
TO save our women and children from
what you call kindness is a 'sacrilegious
hypocritical appeal
You came into our country with
your army. avowedly for the purpose OF
subjugating free white men, women and
children. and not only intend to rule
| over them. but you make negroes your
inferior race, which we have raised
| from barbarism to its present position.
which Is the highest ever attained by
that race In any country In -au-time I
must therefore decline to accept your
statements In reference to your kind
| ness toward the people OF Atlanta and
your willingness TO sacrifice everything
for the peace and honor OF the South.
| and refuse to be governed by your de-
| cision In regard to matters between my
self. my country and my God.
You saw let us fight &c out like
| men, To this my reply is-for myself.
| and ! believe for all the true men, ave.
| and women end children in NV conn
try-we will fight Won to the death! Bet
ter die thousand deaths than submit
| to 1--we under YOU or your Government
and your negroe alltesl