Page:American Historical Review, Volume 12.djvu/118

 io8 Documents and from political rancor long indulged toward me, remembering perhaps the result of his Know Nothing career, his shiboleth of Americans must rule America etc. and my course in the opposition and with that sort of chuckleheadedness which distinguishes all he says, could not do justice to a political adversary. When Anderson reached here, he spoke to me like a man and in five minutes comprehended Morton's conduct and mine. Mr. Owens has since personally sought from me an explanation of the whole matter and now sees it, I believe, in the light of truth. But I will not tire you further. At Washington the Senators of the Border States acted together, with those of Virginia in gaining time for prepara- tion, time to quit the old concern, to launch our Ship of State, to cut away the boats throw the Jonas overboard. Nail our flag to the mast and establish our Government without bloodshed unless compelled to shed it by honor or Safety, was their determination. In full view of the field before them, They sent Chase the dispatch in question. I have the original signed by them all, including Davis and Wigfall. But this Dispatch gave special displeasure to Messrs Blount and Morton, men who ran as Submissionists against our Secession Candidates and were elected with the full Submission ticket from the two extreme western countries sic. I write this because first every act, vote and speech of mine in Congress is before the World and I challenge their examination, and Secondly I want you and every other man to know that in each and every act deed and word of mine upon this Secession question and the Policy towards the Forts or otherwise of the South I am proud of. And I feel I would have been recreant to my duty had I not pursued the path I did. My making a truce, as it is called is the sheerest claptrap ever uttered by lying demagogue. Hoiv could / make a truce ? I had neither authority or command, or public position, but was a full private. What I did was to give the Administration a fright and induce them to pro- pose terms to Chase to keep troops out. And Chase assumed them and nobly and publicly avers now all the responsibility. In conclusion you will concur with me that the publication of these matters could do good only to our Northern enemies. But for this con- sideration they would have been spread about in our newspapers. Every man who ventures to climb moral[l]y, physical[l]y or intellectually makes himself a tempting mark for the shafts of envy, hatred or malice to practice on. I have realized this perhaps neither more or less than thousands and have been as little deterred by it. Attacks thus origi- nating and guided by falsehood, like the dirt on the wheels of the Locomotive, are penalties paid by progress and they should as little regard it. But yet I am solicitous to be understood rightly by all men of honor, truth and virtue and hence I write thus frankly to you, a trespass upon your time and attention which I sincerely hope you will excuse. Very truly and respectfully yours S. R. Mallory.