Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-03-27

and proves by actions that there is some vitality
left in it. The great bulk of The army is loyal
to the government But it is high time for our
government to look the danger--which it can
not but have discovered long ago--steadfast in
TO the eye; and TO adopt measures necessary to
: its own preservation. 1t must be bold enough
to make its waichword thus. "Whoever is Hoi
icih mo, must be against meF' Itmust not shrink
from openly declaring war TO al and eUery rebel
either north or south. t., M ~
Those who wage an open war against the
Union under the Stars and Bars, are not so dan
gerous as those who-like Breckinridge--hide
their traitorous plans behind the .hypocrtical
mask of lp-loyalty. Those gcntlemen--who
like the devil-don the garments Of priest and
constantly cite the constitution--only for the
purpose of throwing obstacles in the war-patb
of the Union-bclong one aud each to the Breck-
inridge clique; and they viii ultimately un-
mask as he did, if they are permitted to do so.
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4 Letter froM Drig. -GeneI nj Stcedmnn.
The letter below, from Brieadier- General
James B. Steedman, was addressed to the Com
mittee on Invitations of the Toledo Union De-
InonstIation the 18TH Gen. Sieedman is well
known to the majority of the citizens of this
county, as having always been an unwavering
Democrat--having on several occasions address,
ed Democratic meetings in this town and for
that reason should have good influence with
the honest portion of that party We ask our
readers, therefore, TO show this letter to their
Democratic neighbors, and ask from them can
did consideration Of its contents II cannot be
possible that any considerable portion Of the
rank and file of that party will follow its leaders
in their mad schemes of opposition to the war
and resistance to the laws of the country:
! HEADoUARrERs, 3D DIVISION, I4rH ARMY CoRrs,
i Tribune March 18th, 1863.
! Gertcmen:-Y letter of the 5th, informing
me that Mass Meeting" of the supporters Of
the Government will be held in your city on the
l6th and kindly inviting me to attend the NEE
ting, has just been handed to me.
/ thank you for your fattering invitation, and
were it possible for me to leave the field long
enough to mingle with my patriotic neighbors,
when they meet on the 18th, to declare their
unalterable determination to stand by and main
tain the government of our country it would
afford me the highest qualification 10 do so; but
duty forbids. We are in the presence of the en-
emy, skirmishing every day, and know not the
hour we may have a severe engagement. can
mot leave my command with battle impend-
ing, and / regret that am thus crcumsanced,
for II would gladen my heart to be with Won at
your meeting, to witness again in Toledo, such
an outpouring of patriotic enthusiasm as elec-
ItTihed the hearts of our people, when the news
reached us that the traitors of South Carolina
had fired on the Flag of our Country. To at
tend such a meeting, as the one which assem-
bled IN the Railroad depot, when the intelligence
that Sumter had fallen reached Toledo after rea-
ding the infamous attacks upon the government,
the disgusting apologies for traitors and the vile
ISLANDERS upon our army, published in some of
the newspapers, of Ohio, would be qualification
! would be proud to share with those ho SYM
pathise with and support the men who are free
ly offering their lives to maintain the honor and
integrity OF our government. But while cam
not be with you personally, ! can assure you
that the hearts and prayers Of a hundred Hou-
sand brave and loyal soldiers of the Army of
the Cumberland, who are in favor of chastising
every man who lifts his voice rhs hand against
the government while its integrity is imperilled
by an armed rebellion, will be with YOU and ey
lery other meeting that will send them the CRATE
fui Intelligence that their friends at home appre-
ciate their services and their sacrifices.
Your army is in favor of peace--peaco, con.
quered by the arms of the Federal government
and if your meeting declares in favor of peace
secured by the success Of our arms, it will re.
ceiye the hearty approval of every faithful sol.
dier in the Union army. "There must be nc
compromise except at the cannon's mouth" i:
the sentiment of the army, The government
entire, perfect in all its parts, as it was when as
sailed by treason, is all we ask and we will tax,
nothing less, is what the soldiers say. Are Tho
people at home willing TO put up with less
God forbid. There is no middle ground on hi,
; question. The government must be maintain.
e ed or the rebellion must succeed Reunion by
f peaceable means is impossible. The govern.
9 ment must put down the rebellion by force o.
: arms or the recognition of the Southern Confed.
eracy is inevitable Shall we, with that patri-
e otic endurance. which prompted our revolution.
ary ancestors to struggle for seven years to es-
r tablish the government adhere to it in this
struggle until we rescue il from the unnatural
and wicked combination laboring to destroy II
or shall we tamely submit to its destruction and
4 the establishment OF miserable slave aristoc-
racy upon ITS ruinsy Shall we endure the tolls
the dangers, the sacrifices of The struggle until
we secure peace and perpetuity for our govern.
0 ment or shall we yield to the dismemberment
= OF the Union, and inaugurate bloodshed for a
lcentury to come. ~
; Do your duty at home, and fear nothing for
your troops in the field The army is a ioyal
2 unit opposed to compromise, opposed to an
armsSf'ce opposed to propositions for peace from
either side, until the traitors Law down their arms
and ask for mercy. This is the true sentiment
of the army, and il sustained by the people al
home, il will accomplish the great work 70,
which il was organized.
1t is great satisfaction TO the army to witnes,
the revulsions Of public sentiment now going or
7 IN the North. Nearly all believe it would take
l IPlace for there were but few soldiers who wers
really willing to believe that oliF people would
urge us into the field, and then desire that trait
lors might welcome US with bloody bands tf
i hospitable graves." And yet, five were 10 be.
heye some oftb newspapers, we would be forced
TO the conclusion that large body of the peo.
pe OF Ohio, really desire that we may be defeat.
ed IL Is a base slander upon our noble State &c
say that there is man, within its limits worthy
LOT the name OF American citizen, who does NOT
Earnestly hope for the success of our arms. Nc
soldier IN the army believes the statements Of
those newspapers that represent the people. a,
Iopposed to the war, but while we know theil
lstatemenis are untrue we have to encounter Tho
sneers Of the seeessonsts, who tell us our own
newspapers Ore opposed to u.s. sg
Those who desert their government and sfiaie
with its enemies IN this trying hour can readily
lsee where they will stand when the contest 4
lover, by reading the past history of their country
! Ths future historian will do them Justice aSd
Igiye them their proper place beside the tories
lof The revolution and the Hartford Convention
lists
Trusting that your meeting win be worthy Of
! the great cause Il is called to sustain.
am, with esteem, very truly yours,
Il JAMES B. STEEDMAN,
i Brighten. in Command Of Sd Division.
To II. s. Walbridge, and others: Committee
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Ono BArTERIEs we find upon consultine