The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-13

From the Confederation, Montgomery
May "a, 1861.
NV Dear -: Your very welcome
letter came to hand in due time ana
found all well who are at home, Marx
wrote me word of your departure was
not surprised, knowing your anxiety to
become a soldier, and now that you are
fully embarked in our countrys cause
acoult yourself manfully. Remember, you
do not encounter common enemy. De
feat. it strikes me, would be worse thah
barbarous foes. God forgive me If ! thlnN
wrongly of them; but if they can ma II
in their hearts to instigate our servants
against us and subject us TO all the nor
rors Of serVile war-if they can feJo'co
at the prospect of deluging this talr ANA
with blood-if they can vilify, abuse ana
hclie us. as they do. what mercy can We
exnect If conquered? Therefore, II lHeS
force war upon us-if they refuse 10 us
ten to the voice of reason ana We are
forced to defend our rights al ne can
mons mouth, then let us do lido IL not
as hirelings-not as our enemies, TOT an
imaginary insult to a 'llag.' or Ylldle1t-
ing a nations honor. already forfeited ny
Injustice ana lItututi bAt 90 49,
ing for home, with all Its endearmentS-
for nverythinQ that makes life valuable,
with the determine ton o conquer or dle
on If they put a flag" In the scale
with human life-lf torrents oil pionu
must flow to appease their neno-hNe
wrath and disappointed schemes theh Jet
II flow from the heart OF every man.
woman and child; let not one i've 10 pc
the object of their future hate. Could ]
L.. Nd IN
n state Of things, ! do not think J collId
endure 10 stay where | would be con,
stantly reminded Of the terrible past bur
will a lust and holy God permit sucl a
state of things? VIII llc not Judge ne
tween us and bid the troubled waters OF
strife "be stil?" VIII lie not Gas IN an.
cient times, when Israel was divided ana
the king Of Judah attempted TO coeres
them, speak with His almighty voice ana
forbid the act? My constant prayer Is
thai IL NAV be so ere It be TOO late
DO not let your natural impetuosity
ret the better Of your prudence; rashness
is not lrile courage. BE cool. calm, reso-
lute. and II it is any consoiation. Know.
nv child. that your mother prayers VIII
besIege IA throne Of grace constantly TOT
my bov's-for all who are battling for our
rights-aye. for our enemies. too. that
they may be led TO pause ere they drive
us to extremities.
DO they. can they think that the union
can be reconstructed over the ashes OF
our murdered ones and cemented by their
blood? What madncss-what folly! N37e
bnt the most blindiy infatuated could
ever dream OF such thing. No; there
must be n radical change OF feeling SEN
timent and conduct. We must he con-
vlneed indlsputably that they look to our
interests and happiness as to their OWL:
they must remove all distrust and suspi-
cions-then, and not till then. If ever. can
they ever hope for reconstruction. But
# strikes me we are hencerorth two ma
lions. Let the future verify or contra.
dict the prophecy.
Do not think It unbecomng in a sol
der to commit his soul and body to the
care of Him who IS a Sun and Shield in
the hour Of peril as we'll as sarety.
have been told that they are under
mining the public buildings in Washing
ton so as to blow them up If they can
not retain them. So much like 'the dog