The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1863-11-07
THE PRESIDENTS LETTER.
EXECUTIVE MANSION. !
Was HINGToN, Oct. 5, 1863. {


scented on the 30th ultimo, and the four sup
I Elementary ones, presented on the Sd inst,
have been care fully considered. I hope
4 you viii regard the other duties claiming
my attention, together with the great length
i and Importance of these documents, as con-
shutting sufficient apology for my not
/ having responded sooner.
These papers, framed for common OBJ
ject, consist of the things demanded, and
/ the reasons for demanding them.
The things demanded are
First, That Gen. Schofed shall be re-
lieved and Gen. Butler be appointed as Com
mander of the Military Department of Mis-
souri,;
Second, That the system of Enrolled
Militia in Missouri may be broken up and
national forces be substituted for it; and
Third, That at elections persons may not
be allowed to vote who are not entitled by
law to do so.
+ Among the reasons given, enough of suf-
fering and wrong to Union men is certainly,
and suppose truly, stated. Yet the whole
case, as presented, fails to convince me that
Gen. Schofeld or the Enrolled Militia is re-
sponsible for that suffering and wrong.
The whole can be explained on a more char
liable and, as I think, a more rational hv
pothesis.
We are in civil war. In such cases there
always is a main question; but in this case
that question is n perplexing compound
Union and Slavery. It thus becomes a
question, not of two sides merely. but of at
least four sides, even among those who are
for the Union. saying nothing of those who
are against it. Thus, those who are for the
Union aOith but not yithom slavery-those
for it acithom but not acitb-those for it aoith
or withon, but prefer it wth, and those for
it agib or aoitbOut, but prefer it UithoW.
Among those again is a subdivision of
those who are for gradual but not for in1n,e-
aiate, and those who are for immediate but
not for gradual. extinction of slavery.
1t is clear to conceive that all these shades
of opinion, and even more, may be sincere
~ entertained by honest and truthful men.
Yet, all being for the Union, by reason of
these differences, each will prefer different
way of sustaining the Union. At once sin
certify is questioned and motives are as
sailed. Actual war coming, blood grows
hot, and blood is spilled. Thought is
/ forced from old channels into confusion.
| Deception breeds and thrives. Confidence
dies, and universal suspicion reigus. Each
man feels an impulse to kill his neighbor,
| lest he be killed by him. Revenge and re-
taliation follow. And all this, as before
said, may be among honest men only. But
this is not ALL Every foul bird comes
abroad, and every dirty reptile rises up.
These add crime to confusion Strong
measures deemed indispensable. but harsh
at best, such men make worse by mal-ad-
ministration. Murders for old grudges,
and murders for peif, proceed under any
cloak that will best cover for the occasion.
These causes amply account for what has
occurred in Missouri, without ascribing it
to the weakness or wickedness of any Gen
eral. The newspaper files, those chroni-
/ clers of current events, will show that the
evils now complained OF were quite as prev
alent under Fremont, Hunter, Halleck and
] Curtis, as under Schofeld. II the former
had greater force opposed to them, they
also had greater force with which to meet
/ 1t. When the organized rebel army left the
State, the main Federal force had to 90 also,
leaving the Department Commander al
/ home relatively no stronger than before.
Without disparaging any, I affirm with con-
fdence that no Commander of that Depart
ment has, in proportion to his means, done
better than Gen. Schofeld.
The first specific charge against General
Schofeld is, that the Enrolled Militia was
/ placed under his command, whereas it has
not been placed under the command of Gen.
Curtis. The fact, believe, is true; but
you do not point out. nor can I conceive,
how they did, or could, injure loyal meu or
the Union cause.
You charge that upon Gen. Curtis being
superseded by Gen. Schofeld, Franklin a.
Dick was superseded by James O. Broad
head as Provost Marshal General. No very
/ specific showing is made as to how this did
or could injure the Union cause. 1t recalls
/ however. the condition of things, as pre-
scented to mo, which led to a change of Com
manders for that Department.
To restrain contraband intelligence and
trade, a system of searches, seizures, per-
mits and passes, had been introduced, /
/ think, BY Gen. Fremont. When Gen. Hal
/ leck came. he found and continued this sys-
tenn, and added an order, applicable to some
parts of the State, to levy and collect con
/ tributions from noted rebels, to compensate
/ losses and relieve restitution caused by the
J rebellion The action of Gen. Fremont and
/ Gen. Hallack. as stated. constituted a sort
of system, which Gen. Curtis found in full
operation when he took command of the
/ Department That there was a necessity
| for something of the sort was clear; but
that it could only be justified by stern ne
cessity. and that it was liable to great abuse
in administration, was equally clear. Agents
to execute it, contrary to the great Prayer,
were led into temptation. Some might
while others would not resist that tempta-
ton. It was not possible to hold any to a
very strict accountability; and those yield
ing TO the temptation would sell permits and
passes to those who would pay most, and
most readily for them; and would seize
property and collect leyies in the aptest way
TO I'LL their own pockets. Money being the