The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 26, July 1922 - April, 1923 Page: 149

Bryan-Hayes Correspondence

THE BRYAN-HAYES CORRESPONDENCE
EDITED BY E. W. WINKLER
V
BRYAN TO HAYES
Dear Rud: Galveston, July 1st, 1873.
It has been very long since I have heard from you. I fear
that the terms used in my last about those who have ruled over
the South gave offence. I did not mean to offend and if I gave
offence I regret it, for I do not write and have not written to
give you offence. I send you to Cin. and your uncle to Fremont
a pamphlet containing proceedings of "Texian Veterans" includ-
ing my address to them at Houston on 14 May last. You will
see from that, my political views as to our situation, and what I
say to the public. My influences as exerted upon the masses are
conservative. I can truthfully say that all I have said and done
since the war has been of that character. Yet, when I have writ-
ten to you, I have spoken plainly and truthfully with the hope of
effecting some good, for the oppressed. Look now at Louisiana,
South Carolina and other States; their condition is deplorable;
scarcely hope is left them. Can you of the North look with
indifference on these white people, forced by a power they do
not wish to resist to social equality, degradation and amalgama-
tion? My God my heart sickens at the future. I will not
dwell on what must be harmful to both.
I want you to know that, I feel your silence. If you really
mean indifference, of course let it continue; but if your heart
beats truly as ever, then I want our correspondence to contirne.
I am as I have ever been. I rec'd sometime ago a slip from a
newspaper containing notice of Al Buttles' death. Write me
about it. Poor Al, how bright once and once so dear to me as
we climbed the hills around Kenyon. Fay too is gone. You
the best beloved of all is still here; so am I, but broken in health.
Rud we were in the same class for four years. Let's cling closer,
and cultivate more tenderly these noblest affections of our na-
tures. My heart, and I believe yours, warms up as disinterest-
edly to each other as when we were boys together.

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