The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-02-25
Letter from Gen. Jsmo. 5. Neglry

Letter from gen. Jsmes y. NegIry.
HEADQUARTERS, I'd DIV, 18th ARMY Conps,
MURFREEsBoRo' TENN, Feb 22d, 1868.
GENTLEMEN Military duties de-
ny me the pleasure of accepting your
highly esteemed invitation.
1 shall be with you in spirit and fer
vently pray for the success of your pat
riotic and noble efforts.
In the midst of this unhappy strife,
where the wings Of death shadow the
land, sorrow aud mi cry are the inmates
of the palace aud the cottage Where the
fairest fruits Of this once too prospectus
land are blighted by Treason, II is wise
and timely to gather around the image
Of the immortal WASHINGTON to invoke
the spirit Of his wisdom, eloquent coun-
sells, pure principles Of truth and patriots
ism to sink deep into the hearts of this
misguided and ioagOard people, persuad-
ing them 20 cease their Ruthless sacrifices
10 political God-merely to crafty po-
litical ambition-urge them ~ pause in
their wickedness and folly and listen to
the burning appeals of WASHINGTON in
which he says {" IL is of infinite moment
that you should properly estimate the
immense value of your political Union
TO your collective and individual happi-
ness---that you should cherish cordial,
habltual, immovable attachment TO it,
accustoming yourselves to think and
speak of it as the palladium of your pc.
litical safety and prosperity, watching
for its prosperity with jealous anxiety
discountenancing whatever may suggest
even a suspicion that il can in any event
be abandoned, and Indignantly frowning
upon the FIRST dAwning of every attempt
TO ALLEVIATE any portion Of our country
from the rest, or TO enfeeble the sacred
ties which now link together the various
parts" q
Warn the people Of the South who
have eaten the bitter fruits of Secession
and are praying for peace, that there will
be no peace, no happiness, no prosperity,
no friendly separation, no dishonorable
compromises until this unhoiy rebellion
is crushed, and they yield obedience 20
the laws that they are violating.
The apparent wise purposes Of the Al
mighty-the fundamental principles OF
civilization and Ohristianity-the man
dates OF nature, enforced by high noun
tains and broad riVers-the inhexible
rules of commerce, dictated with the
power Of steam and swiftness of light
ning-the claims of the oppressed from
every nation-the bright visions Of hope
in the future-all all forbid that this
glorious Union, rich with the blessings
of freedom, happiness and prosperity
the peerless, priceless, heritage of an
enlightened people, shall be severed or
destroyed. Mol Never is echoed in
thunder-tones from the victorious army
of the Cumberland, from the armies of
tue East and West, from the millions of
patriot yet in the North
IL may cost the hearlh's richest Jewels
and priceless bloOd-we are ready 10
make the sacrifice Countless sums may
be spent in the etlort--we are willing 10
secure and sustain the Union At any cost
The struggle may be prolonged for
yeds-We consider no task too great
when freedom is the reward.
IL may strew every field in the South
with our graves, they shall serve as land
marks to guide those who shall follow us
in the path OF duty.
IL we leave any legacy 10 our children,
we desire that il shall be Government.
IL there is anything upon earth we
dread with agonizing horror, il is the Con-
federscy, dedicated TO human slavery,
governed by infamous Traitors, aud sus-
tanned by deception, cruelty, injustice
and heartless ambition.
have the honor 10 remain,
Yours, very truly,
JAS S. NEGLEY,
Brig Genl
To ALBERT MYERS, Esq, Chairman OF
Committee on Celebration, Nashville