“I wish also to thank you for your resolutions on
Retaliation. I am the more impelled to do this because I
think it probable that some of our friends in the State
will remonstrate with you for having offered them. I have
heard retaliation in kind vehemently advocated by good men
in Boston. But it seems to me that it would be an indelible
blot upon our fame, if, in a war with savages, we should
imitate their savage cruelties. I know that retaliation by
inflicting death for death may sometimes be necessary in
war. But the torture of prisoners nothing can justify. If
they may be tortured by hunger or cold, so they may, as
well, by fire, or by the rack.”
M. T. Johnstone, of the United States Coast Survey, wrote from
Washington:--
“A copy of your speech on the treatment of prisoners of war
has just fallen into my hands. I think the country under
deep obligations to you for that speech, and for saving it
from either acknowledging or practising the principle of
retaliation.”
The following communication from General Robert Anderson, of
the Army of the United States, who commanded at Fort Sumter
when South Carolina madly fired upon that national stronghold,
contains the testimony of a soldier.
“NEW YORK CITY, January 25, 1865.
“HON. CHARLES SUMNER, U. S. Senate.
“HONORED SIR,--The approbation of strangers is sometimes, I
know, not unacceptable. I trust, therefore, that you will
pardon me for giving vent to the promptings of my heart, in
offering you my thanks for the noble, manly, and Christian
sentiments which characterize your resolutions introduced
in the Senate yesterday, in reference to the subject of
Retaliation. No one would go farther than I would, to put
down, with a vigorous and resolute hand, this most accursed
Rebellion. But, in God’s name, Sir, let it be done in such
a manner that those who live after us may be able to say,
that, in all this time of trial, not one act was sanctioned
or permitted by our Government which was not becoming us as
a civilized and Christian nation. And God will bless and
prosper us only as we do so act. My earnest prayer is, that
He will endue our rulers with wisdom, and soon give peace
and prosperity and happiness to our bleeding land.
“With the renewal of my thanks for your having so
beautifully, so ably, so nobly advocated the cause of
humanity, which is the cause of Christ,
“I am, Sir, with high respect, your obedient servant,
“ROBERT ANDERSON.”