Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-01-15
From the Wa hington Constitution.
Sentiment of Southern Officers of the

To the Editor Of he Constitution:
SIR: Several general officers of the army have
lately favored the public with the information of
their Witness to sp,l blood to keep sovereign States
confederated together against the wishes Of millions
of their citizens. For one. | am not willing that the
wOrdy outpOurings of Major General Wool and the
vaporings of Brgadier Harvey shall go fsrth to the
country as the uncontradicted sentiment of officers
at this unfortunate iuncture. l cannot permit the
people of the Countrywide North well the
SOuth-to be thus deceived into the belief that any
considerable number of the effective officers of the
army regard 1t as either practicable or right to con
strain the existence of the Federal Union one day
after it shall cease to stand by and through the af
lection of its several members
1t is timely therefore. for me to say in this
way: have as vet met with no officer of Southern
birth who is not resolved at the proper time to cast
his fortunes with his State, and If need be- give his
best services for the defence of her soil the homes
of his kindred and the rights of his fellowstates
men from invasion assault even though made in
the name of the Federal Unior.
| can say further, have seen no officer from
Southera State who is willing to be employed for
the coercion of any State, whether South Carolina
or Massachusetts,. Some there are, presume, who
might accept such service from mistaken sense
of duty but cannot hesitate to declare that those
who can be found act thus will prove few in num-
Der and exceptional cases. The great mass-if not,
indeed, every single one-of Southern officers re-
cognise their allegiance in times like these to their
several States as clear and enforcing; and their
countrymen may be assured they VIII not tall or
falter in the discharge of their whole duty.
The army cannot be made the instrument of
central power except for the defence of the whole
country and against foreign enemy-never for the
subiugation of a sovereign member OF the Confede
racy formed by fathers for purposes of common
veal and common defence. 1t can never. under the
Constitution, be legally employed against State of
the present Union ard those who think the officers
of the army will lend the aid of their professional
experience and training for the reduction of their
own States and section to condition of political
vassalage TO another section will cherish delusiOn
In other and precise words:
The people of the Southern States need not dis
trust for a moment the loyalty of their kaaSne'a in
the federal army, as it is now organized To man
these officers-graduates Of the Military Academy
as well as others-hOld themselves ready at the call
of their several States; when these need their pro-
fessiona services they will not halt nor hesitate;
they will not remain in the service of government
of which their own States and section not integ
raj and equal parts. This is the fixed resolve of
very many officers with whom the present writer
has interchanged views, and whose ultimate course
has been fully decided. That course has been the
one absorbing question in the profession since the
9th day of November because we have not failed TO
see that in the event of any insensate attempt pre-
serve the Union by force the army will at once be
resorted to- and its officers, first of all Americans,
be forced to choose sides in the terrible issue that
must be Joined when the sword shall be cast into
the balance of the Federal Union.
A GRADUATE OF THE MILITARY ACADEMY.