The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1863-10-08
Voice from the Army Of the Cum.
berland.
CONGRATULATIONS ANswERKDIN
THUNDER TONES.
The Address Written by Col. John M.
Connell.
MURFREEsDoRo', Feb. 12, '63.

| OOhhoAAs
MURFREEsBoRo', Feb. 12, '63.
Last night an earnest and enthusias-
tic meeting of Ohio officers was held
for the purpose of taking some meas
Ures to show the sentiment that exists
in the army with regard to the prosecu-
tion of the war, adoption of dishonor-
able compromises, and the incipient
treason which has developed itself in
the North. The utmost unanimity
prevailed, and a committee was APP
pointed to draft an address to be pre-
sented to all Ohio regiments for their
adoption or rejection. The following
persons constitute the committee Col.
NJ. B. Walker, 31st; Col. E. II. Phelps,
39th; Col. J. NJ. Connell and Lieut.. Col.
+. W, Lester, 18th Ohio. Col Con-
nell, a lifelong Democrat, drew up the
resolutions, which were. heartily en-
dorsed by all the members of the COM
mittee, Democrats and Republicans.
The distinguished Durbin Ward has
given the addresshis heartiest approx
al, and taken an active part in the pre-
liminaries leading to its adoption. The
cheers with which the address was re-
ccived by the Ohio regiments this ev-
ening, would have sent thrill of
joy to the heart of every loyal man
in the country. The address begins
by ignoring old party politics, declar-
ing only for the Government of tho
United States: It asks, with earnest
emphasis, why any but traitor sho'd
desire the severance of the republic, or
to throw obstacles in the way of the
earnest prosecution Of the war, whose
sole object is the preservation of there.
public from those who by armed force
are seeking to destroy it. Can any
portion of the people consent to dis
memberment Of the nation? Assured
ly no. Why, then manifest factious
opposition, which can only encourage
the common oncmy? The war must
be prosecuted, or all that it is waged for
given up.
All evils can be remedied at the bal
lot. box, save the rebellion of men in
arms. This can be suppressed only by
bayonets. Can compromise avail? The
rebels disdainfully fling back in our
faces all propositions for compromise,
and declare that nothing will suit them
I but the acknowledgement Of their bas-
tard nationality. They look upon their
Northern friends as allies in the war
which they are prosecuting against the
Union, and will regard them in no
other light. The speeches and resolu-
tions Of these sympathizers in the
South only to prove to the deluded
} people of that section that there is q
large party in the North who think
that this Internal rebellion is right,
and are willing to submit to disunion.
People at the North, you must either
acknowledge this rebellion to be right,
and that your nationality is sham, or
you must, as one man, sustain
the Government against traitors.
We intend to protect you You must
not desert us. We have suffered now
too much to be wilIingt to agree to any
y thing save the absolute unconditional
restoration of the Union, without COM
promise or consultation with traitors.
Arms have been invoked to destroy
the Government; arms onl ly can save
it. Your enemies ask for no CT ssation
ofhostlities. Shame upon you if you
anticipate them. You are right-they
are wrong. Shame upon youifyou arc
willing for your holy rights to submit
to their rule. Spare your sympathies
for miserable traitors, justly confined
in prisons, at home, and give them to
your friendsyou relations, your broth
, ers, who are sacrificing their lives,
their all, for you, on many bloody
battle field. If some miserable dcma.
gogues among you must vomit forth
, their treason, let thom keep it at homo.
| We want none of their vile letters,
speeches or papers here. We know
for what we fight. Tell us not that we
: are engaged in an abolition war. We
, have sunk all party considerations in
: devoted loyalty to our country, and
} whatever names unholy traitors may
| apply to us, we will, by every means
that Providence puts in our hands, sus-
, tain the Union, so help us Godl The
} Army ofthc West is in terrible earnest;
earnest TO conquer and destroy armed
rebels; earnestto meet force with force,
oarnestn its hearty detestation ofcow-
ardly traitors at home, earnest in will
and power to overcome all who desire
the nations ruin. Ohio's one hundred
Thousand soldiers, ask their fathers,
brothers and friends, by their fresidcs
and in their peaceful homes, to hear and
heed the appeal, and put an end to CO.
vert treason at home, made more dam
gerous now to our national existence
4 than the presence of armed hosts of
!. misguided rebels.
4 Col. NJ, B, Walker, of the 3lst Ohio,
then presented a resolution embodying
Q the above sentiments, which was unan-
r imously adopted.
1 The address and resolution have SO
far been presented to about a dozen
Ohio regiments, and adopted without
f a dissenting voice.