Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-05-09

~ /
umns. -, ,s IL ,s,l
Letter from Gen Harney-He Declares his Do.
termination to Support the United S'a'es
Government.
WASHINGTON. Wednesday May !, Ieoi'
My DrAR Sin. The report of my arrest a.
Harper'a Ferry BY persons assuming 70 hes
under authority Of the State of Virginia, mas
no doubt reached you. Gov, Letcher immedi-
ately directed my release, with assurances dis-
ayo1ipg the act Of his mbordinates, ana e4-l q
messing regret at their mistake or abuse OF MS
authority The kind attention and civflity re-
ceiyed from him, from the escort that accom-
nanied me and other distinguished citizens Of
Virginia and esteemed friends whom there
met, compensated for any personal trouble or
ANNOYANCE; yet cannot but feel deep mortln-l
cation and regret that our country should be 70
condition to. expose any one TO such an Incl |
dent. Il has furnished occasion for mistake or
misrepresentation in respect TO my views ana
| sentiments, which q sense OF duty requires 10
| be promptly corrected. No better mode occurs
to me than by letter addressed TO yourself, as
an esteemed personal friend.
| II has been represented through tue pnDnc
Press that was willing prisoner 70 the osate
of Virginia; that designed to resign my COM
mission in the United States Army, throw oil
nv allegiance 10 the Federal Government, and
ioin the forces of the Confederate States.
Forty-two years have been in the military
service of the United States, and have followed
during all that time but one fag-the flag OF
our Union. have seen it protecting our from
| tiers, and guarding our coasts from Maine to
Florida; have witnessed il IN the smoke OF
battle, stained with the blood Of gallant men,
leading on to victory; planted upon the strong.
holds, and waving in triumph over the capital
of foreign foe. My eyes have beheld that
flag affording protection to our States and Ter
ritories on the Pacific, and commanding reyer-
ence and respect from hostile fleets and squad.
rons, and from foreign Governments, never ex
hibited to any other banner on the globe. Twen'
/ ty stare, each representing State, have been
added to that banner during my service, and under
it's folds / have advanced from the rank of Lieu
tenant to that which / now hold. The Gov.
ernment whose honors have been bestowed upon
me, shall serue the remainder of my days
The flag whose glories have witnessed, shall
never be forsaken by me while ! can strike q
blow for its defence While / have breath, !
shall be ready to serve the Government OF
the United States, and be its faithful, loyal SOL
dier. ,fH fHn
Without condemning, or in any degree criti-
Q cising, the course other persons have deemed
a proper to pursue in the present juncture, my
. line of juty ia plain TO nv own heart and udg-
Q ment. The course of events that have led &C
}. the denlorable condition in which our countr,
!. now stands. has been watched by me with pain
fnl interest. Perceiyiue that mapy of nv fel
o fow-c;tizena in the Southern Statee were dis
1.J contented with the Government, and desired
IN some change IN nrotect them from existing evils
INV feej;ncs have been stropely ayerse TO ooer
cion. and enYious for some COMPROMISE or ar
r. ranoement that would restore peace and har
y monv- The nrovisions of tbe Federal Constitu
ton afforded. in INV indgment. annie means O
redresa tbrongb n Convention of ali the States
"a which might edout amendments that would re
Al conciIe al diferences. or if that could not b.
!. sccomnlished, might provide for peaceful sen
aration IN a manner becoming friends and breth
4 rem. 'So LONG as this hone of peacefuI settle
N ment of our troubles could be indulged. / bay
st 1elt Il to he the wise dnty of the Federal Gov
MI lernment To hear with nstienee outrapes that N
other Gnvernn,ent could have endured. and h
=" forbear any execution of force until the las
10 hope departed. t,f-l = af = ~ ="
o But when the Confederate States, with sever
Il thousand men, under cover of strong fortifca.
tiops or imprernable batteries, assailed stary-
= ing garrison Of seventy men in Fort Sumter
compelled the banner Of the United States to b
RI lowered, and boaeted Of its dishonor before th
ls world, the state Of the question was imme
,e diately changed. Instead Of the Government
coercing States demanding redress Of grievan
'e ces by constitutional means, the case was pre-
sented of reyolutionists waging war agains
their government, seeking its overthrow by fore
m OF arms, ,assailing public property by overWhelm
ing force, laboring to destroy the lives OF gal
: liant officers and soldiers, and dishonoring tht
national fag. The question now before U!
o is,whether the Government OF the United states
"A with lts many blessings and past CLONES
shall be overthrown by the military dictatorsniE
lately planted and now bearing sway IN tn
:. Confederate States1 My hand cannot aid In tina
d work.
IL Finding ourselves in state OF civil war, &C
tually existing or fast approaching some OF m
70 brethren In arms, citizens OF seeding States
q and for whom have the highest personal re-
d spect, have considered It their duty to throw u
their commissions ana follow their States, II
that view OF duty cannot concur: AS an once
: OF the army and citizen OF the United states
. consider my primary allegiance to De due 70
o the Federal Government, and subordinate Y
that is my allegiance to the state. This. a
you are aware, has been the eoncurring opinion
OF the most eminent jurists OF this country; !
was the Judgment OF the Court OF Appeals o
south Carolina In the case OF hurt, where I'M
subject was discussed with matcniess apiiity
l. In that case, the hignest Court In south Caro
= INA deliDerateiy decided tnat the soloiers am
e Glnzen primary duty Oh allegiance is que 70 TN
d United states Government, ana not 10 the GOV
. ernment oi MS state. VI iate IL mas Deen con-
= tenqed tnat tne allegiance que Dy cluzen Y
!. tne reoeral bGovernment was dissolved wnel
MS state eeceded from the Union. lnto tna'
snare many nave fallen. but, IN my Judgment