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reason at all； declined to exchange prisoners； what possible excuse is
that for slaughtering them by exquisite tortures？ Every Government has
ap unquestioned right to decline exchanging when its military policy
suggests such a course； and such declination conveys no right whatever to
the enemy to slay those prisoners； either outright with the edge of the
sword； or more slowly by inhuman treatment。 The Rebels' attempts to
justify their conduct； by the claim that our Government refused to accede
to their wishes in a certain respect； is too preposterous to be made or
listened to by intelligent men。
The whole affair is simply inexcusable； and stands out a foul blot on the
memory of every Rebel in high place in the Confederate Government。
〃Vengeance is mine；〃 saith the Lord； and by Him must this great crime be
avenged； if it ever is avenged。 It certainly transcends all human power。
I have seen little indication of any Divine interposition to mete out； at
least on this earth； adequate punishment to those who were the principal
agents in that iniquity。 Howell Cobb died as peacefully in his bed as
any Christian in the land； and with as few apparent twinges of remorse as
if he had spent his life in good deeds and prayer。 The arch…fiend Winder
died in equal tranquility； murmuring some cheerful hope as to his soul's
future。 Not one of the ghosts of his hunger…slain hovered around to
embitter his dying moments； as he had theirs。 Jefferson Davis 〃still
lives； a prosperous gentleman；〃 the idol of a large circle of adherents；
the recipient of real estate favors from elderly females of morbid
sympathies； and a man whose mouth is full of plaints of his wrongs；
and misappreciation。 The rest of the leading conspirators have either
departed this life in the odor of sanctity； surrounded by sorrowing
friends； or are gliding serenely down the mellow autumnal vale of a
benign old age。
Only Wirzsmall； insignificant； miserable Wirz； the underling； the tool；
the servile； brainless； little fetcher…and…carrier of these men； was
punishedwas hanged； and upon the narrow shoulders of this pitiful
scapegoat was packed the entire sin of Jefferson Davis and his crew。
What a farce！
A petty little Captain made to expiate the crimes of Generals； Cabinet
Officers； and a President。 How absurd！
But I do not ask for vengeance。 I do not ask for retribution for one of
those thousands of dead comrades； the glitter of whose sightless eyes
will follow me through life。 I do not desire even justice on the still
living authors and accomplices in the deep damnation of their taking off。
I simply ask that the great sacrifices of my dead comrades shall not be
suffered to pass unregarded to irrevocable oblivion； that the example of
their heroic self…abnegation shall not be lost； but the lesson it teaches
be preserved and inculcated into the minds of their fellow…countrymen；
that future generations may profit by it； and others be as ready to die
for right and honor and good government as they were。 And it seems to me
that if we are to appreciate their virtues； we must loathe and hold up to
opprobrium those evil men whose malignity made all their sacrifices
necessary。 I cannot understand what good self…sacrifice and heroic
example are to serve in this world； if they are to be followed by such a
maudlin confusion of ideas as now threatens to obliterate all distinction
between the men who fought and died for the Right and those who resisted
them for the Wrong。
End