Year: 1866

From the RdghUIle Press and Tunes


Some ten days since, when the telegraph
stated, on authority of General Strong, Fede-
raj officer stationed in Texas, that William John
son, brother of the President, and Collector of
the port of Valasco, Texas, and an old man in
his sixty eighth year, had died IN consequence
of the refusal of Rebel physicians to give him
professional attention, basing the refusal on the
ground that he was Union man, and brother
of the President, this seemed SO incredible
that we hesitated first TO copy 1t. 1t revealed
barbarity and brutality which we rejoice to be-
lieve were not usual during the war.


The medical profession has always been one of
humanity-we had almost said above all others;
and that all the physicians within the vicinity
of Valasco should carry their rebelhous feelings
to such an extent as to allow an aged man,
nearly seventy years old, to die for lack of aten-
ton, simply because he differed from them in
politics, seemed to disgrace humanity ITSELF But
the card which was sent TO us yesterday, without
our solicitation, by the sons of the deceased, and
the confirmation of the original statement, by
establishes its truth beyond all controversy. We
republish the material portion of the card of
Andrew and James Johnson who are officers of
the Tennessee penitentiary:-


General Strong makes a statement that our
father, Mr.. William johnson, was accidentally
shot by the discharge of his own gun, and that
number of surgeons in Valasco, Texas, where
the accident occurred, were applied to for assist
ance. All refused, and not sonly refused, but
based their refusal upon the grounds that John.
son was brother to the President etc. In ad-
dtion, we will state that the above are facts and
that our father had to send to Columbia, Texas,
a distance of one hundred miles, Tor Federal
surgeon, before getting any assistance. DR.. Seads
is the gentleman who came to our fathers assist
ance from Columbia, but fourteen days having
elapsed, was too late TO save his life, and DR..
Seads says our father died from neglect, and the
medical faculty generally OF Valasco stated that
there were too many Johnsons now.


Within four hours ride of Valasco, where Mr..
johnson lived, there were no less than twenty
physicians, yet not one would go to the relief of
the suffering man. Even the one who had been
their family physician in times past refused to
attend upon him. Mr.. Johnson's otfense was that
he and his family were decided Unionists and re-
latlves of the President. He was quiet, indus
tIious citizen, and although positive in his ad'
herence to the Government, gave proVocatlon TO
no man, and that was q crime not to be pardoned
this side of the grave by wretches who would
make no scruple of asking pardon from the Pre-
sident, and demanding the restoration of politi-
cal power to their hands, SO that they might
bring the Union citizens of Texas under proper
discipline. The Rebels at Valasco say that they
Will wait quietly until the departure of Federal
troops from the State, and that then they will
manage things to suit themselves. The loyal
citizens are Justly alarmed at the prospect, and
dread being given up to the power OF Rebels who
ruled the country with rod OF iron during the
Rebellion.


We can easily understand how loyal men at
the South sometimes grow heartsick and despair
ing when they contemplate the sudden Teclama-
ton OF their State affairs by the Rebels. Let
them take courage at the thought that the loyal
millions OF the North are determined to see that
justice and protection are guaranteed to them
perpetually. There are many of the late parti.
sans OF the Rebellion who intend to be good citi-
zens, but there are many others who seem given
over to judicial blindness, and are rushing
rapidly to their own ruin. The power is with
the nation to build up or crush out, and IL will
protect it's friends.