Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1863-03-28
Appeal Of IN Army Officer to the Country.

App0SA VI "a 0AWy VAAA00A w sAS SSe~~S
In the eastern papers we find the following
admirable letter from Major General Howard.
Of the regular army, which ought to be rad
and pondered by every man who loves his
country. We commend it to our readers - .
complete answer to the snarling peace" non.
sense, of which w hear 30 much:
HEADQUARTERS, s.coxD Dlv!saox, s.coxp Cosrs.
,t Near Falmouth, Va, Jan. J, loeA
The critical state Of our Government just at
this juncture, has induced mo to rick being
misinterprete1, and set before you some Of the
feelings and thoughts Of an officer in the field.
who yearns for the welfare of bis country.
Sometimes hear, "there is apathy at home
among large class ;" then "that the disloy.
al nre gaining over to themselves this apathet-
ic class )" that "very many even rejoice at
our failures :" that thousands are crying for
peace 'peace,' at all events" What doss
all this meant What does it portend I
have left my precious family and offered my
self to my country gone to the threatened
points, breasted tile storm, and thrown every
obstruction I could in the way Of the enemy,
and am still facing him but what boots it If there
is no support from home; ifthere is nothing but
indifference or open opposition there 1? Why
struggle on and wet this soil with our blood IL
there is no love of country among our people?
Let the enemy come in like whirlwind. Let
the cities of Pbilidelphia and New York b.
turned over to pillage. Let all the horrors Of
dcsolating war sweep over the thickly popu-
lated districts Of tn" Western and Middle
States, then perhaps. by y-and-by, our good peo.
pie will wake up to sense Of their sinfu: SELF
i,hness and folly. Peace! There 10 NO
peace. God will not give us peace till We
conquer it. We may change the theatre Of
the war, but we can have no peace abort Of
the destruction Of our country. From infan.
cy have been taught to love my country
and to love freedom. At times have BEEN
able to apologize for slavery. but have Al.
ways felt that it was blot upon us. Now
must sacrifice my country to save slavery
The rebels might have enjoyed their darling
institution awhile longer. but they would nos
have it 20; they might still. perhaps, pre-
serve transitory remnant by promptly yield
ing to law aud returning to allegiance. but
this they will not do. Let MS out with It; w
have no alternative; we must destroy slavery
root end branch we must do it in order IL
"sxIjxgatc" the persistent enemy Of republi.
can government. God grant VA the strength
and stamina to meet the issue boldly. If We
do not he will bring us to it by Christening
and scourging. This is hard dnty-a terri
bic, solemn duty; but It is a duty. am
not prepared TO SEE this government destroyed;
not willing to give my children anarchy and
shame for an inheritance not ready for q
patched up peace that will cause tile land to
b. again drelnched in blood in few short
years. Neither am l satisfied at the pros
pcct Of border that five hundr'd thousand
troops could not more than half man. No.
wa will bear our own burdens and not b.
queath them to our children. Vile have
a corporal's guard to lead will lead them
against the enemy Of my country. o''a q
Mr.. Editor, you ars writer. This il your
business. Work. work-destroy this fatal
apathy--convincs the faint-hearted Of their
hopeless folly, and root out the insidious. poi
sonous plants Of disloyalty that are growing
up in the shape Of partisan opposition to tks
Government. s Yours. truly. o,ii
q. q. HOwAan ',
Brig. Gen. Volunteers.