Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-06-15
Loyalty Of Gen. Harvey.

Below we have the pleasure of lay
ing before our readers q recent letter
from this distinguished officer to one of
the most prominent, patriotic, and
wealthy citizens of Missouri, in which
the General places himself squarely and
unequivocal!y on the platform of un-
conditional adhesion to his country dur
ing this crisis, wherein true fealty, and
the honor, oath, and solemn duty of
every officer and citizen is brought into
array with rebellion, treason, and those
who have usurped the sacred name of
Justice in their unhallowed, their un-
unrightcous cause.
General Harncy correctly quotes the
decision of the highest legal tribunal
of South Carolina, "that the soldiers
and citizens primary duty Of allegiance
is due to the United States Government,
and not to the government Of his State
This is the law of the case, to which
are to be superadded the peculiarly
binding and sensitive obligations Of
true honor and chivalrous courage.
When the line of duty Of every true
hearted and faithful man. is so plain, so
we'll defined, and unambiguous, the OBJ
legations OF the officer and citizen may
be said to be identical-a united, un-
conditional surrender of self to the call
of our beloved country; yet if there be
any shade of difference, the obligations
of our army and navy officers may be
said to be higher, more stringent, more
holy than those of the citizen. The
former are by education, by profession,
and by oath the sworn defenders Of
our country against all attacks, come
from whatever source they may. Any
friends or relatives of oftheirs, who may
raise the standard of rebellious revolu-
ton, do SO at their own peril, and as
sumo the initiative by virtually dcclar-
ing war against their friends in the
government service, who are already
and always, by virtue of their commits
sions and sworn allegiance, in the field
as the known, recognized supporters Of
their country in all emergencies. He
who deserts his flag in this hour of duty
and danger, publishes his own recrean-
cy and proves his own unworthiness.
WASHINGTON, May l, 1861.
Col. John o. Fallon, 81. .Louis-My
Dear Sir:-The report of my arrest at
Harper's Ferry by persons assuming to
act under authority of the State Of Vir-
ginia, has no doubt reached you. Gov
ernor Letcherimmediately directed my
release, with assurances disavowingt the
act of his subordinates, and expressing
regret at their mistake or abuse OF his
authority. The kind attention and CIV
ilitv received from him, from the escort
that accompanied me, and other distin-
euished citizens Of Virginia, and es-
tecmcd friends whom / met there, COM
pensated for my personal trouble and
annoyance; yet cannot but feel deep
modification and regret that our coun-
try should be in a condition to expose
anv one to such an incident. 1t has
furnished occasion for mistake or mis-
representation in respect to my views
and sentiments, which a sense of duty
requires to be promptly corrected. No
better mode occurs to mo than by q
letter addressed to yourself, as an es-
teemed personal friend.
It has been represented through the
public press that I was a willing prison.
er to the State of Virginia; that de-
signed to resign my commission in the
United States Army, throw off my al.
legiance to the Federal Government,
and join the forces of the Confederate
States.
Forty-two years I have been in the
military service of the United States,
and have followed during that time but
one fag-the flag Of the Union. 1have
seen it protecting our frontiers, and
guarding our coasts, from Maine to
Florida: I have witnessed it in the
smoke of battle, stained with the blood
Of. gallant men, leading on to victory |;
planted upon the strongholds, and wav-
ing in triumph over the capita! OF .
foreign foe. My eyes have beheld that
flag sffordiag protecting to our States
and Territories on the Pacific, and COM
manding reverence and respect from
hostile fleets and squadrons, and from
foreign Governments, never exhibited
to any other banner on the globs.-
Twenty stars, each representing . State,