Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-16
From the Cincinnati Enquirer.1
Another General Lends himself
General ftosecrAns, Letter 40 Cow


From the Cincinnati Enquirer
Another General Lends himself
erner Tod.
We have been pleased with the success which
has marked Tile military career OF our old friend
and fellow citizen. General Rosecrans, and graft
hed at the apparently well deserved reputation
which he has achieved. We have looked upon
him one who, when he entered the army, ju-
diciously laid down the politician and determined
to devote himself exclusively to the performance
of the important duties which appertain to mil
itary command. We were aware that, since his
entry into the army, the political opinions of
Gen. Rosecrans had undergone a change, and
that, in his private conversations, he wont to
indulge in expressions such as only heard
from the lips OF Abolitionsts of the most radical
stripe; but this did no, diminish our admiration
for the brave and persevering soldier: nor did it
occur To US that he was a man likely, from his
camp in the enemy's country, to be willing to
lend his aid to the schemes OF any party or body
OF politicians at home.
Our surprise, therefore, at reading letter from
General Gosecrans to Governor Tod, evidently
written for publication and party effect-a copy
Of which will be found in another column--was
extreme. Ii is not only party letter, but one
of unusual bitterness. Ii is not only bitter, but
vIrtuDerative- In perusing il we do not seem to
be reading the production of General who. by
|
achieving great successes, has acquired dignity
ard weight of character and sense of moral
worth; but the production of an insignificant and
/ disappointed party politician. We call attention
to It's phraseology, none of which we shall repro
duce in this article, to bear US out in re-
marks.
General Rosecrans has lent himself, We un-
derstand the inducement We see from other
hands. the evidence of the general tamperng with
the officers of the army, carried OH by iactous
politicians here at home A man like him, or
| like what supposed him to be, should have
seen the base to which he was sought to be
put, and returned a stern rebuke to his tempters.
That he did not do so, We regret more than
can express
The papers of the Abolition party, of course,
will make much of this small item of capital,
careless how much its author will suffer in the
eyes OF the temperate and the judiciOuS; while to
us it is only the evidence that another has
fallen. The letter Goes not speak the General
the broad and capacious, the cool and balanced
intellect suited TO the commander of armies: and
time will probably not be long in determining
whether the successes which have fallen to his lot
are due to accident, or to a force of character,
which fails to manifest itself in his most dsrep-
utabe episte In path that is strewed with the
bones of many we had hoped that General
Rosecrans would not venture; and in obServinp
his entry and his fall, while we have no right to
refrain from censure, feelings of pity struggle
with the sense of the duty to condemn
The following is the letter from General ROSE
GRAMS referred to by the Enquirer:
HEADQUARTERS DEPT OF THE CuMBERLAxpJ
MuFfIeesburo. Tenn, Feb ), 1868. (
To the Honorable the General Assembly Of TIE
State Of Ohio:
The resolution of thanks, passed bv your hon
orabe body, to the Army of the Cumberland, its
| Commanding General and his staff has been
dnv received and published to the troops of this
command. On behalf of all, | return YOU our
heartfelt thanks.
| This is indeed war for the Constitution and
| the laws; nav. for national existence against
those who have despiSed our honest friendship,
deceived our first hopes, and driven US to defend
our country and our homes. BY foul and willful
ISLANDERS on our motives, persiStently repeated.
| they have arrayed against us our own fellow cit
liens, bound to by the triple ties of consan-
! guinity, geogra plcal position and commercial
interest.
Let no man among us be base enough to forget
this or fool enough to trust oil garchy of trail
tors to their friends, to civil liberty and human
freedom
| Voluntary exiles from home, and friends for
the defense Of all. we long for the time when
gentle peace shall again spread her wings over
our land, but we know no such blessing is pos
sIble while the uij nst and arbitrary power of the
Rebel leaders confront and threaten us.
Crafty as the fox, cruel the tiger. they cry
mo coercion. while preparing to strike US
Bully -hke, they proposed to fight Us because they
said they could whip five to one; and now, when
driven back, they whine out. mo invasion" and
promise the West permission to navigate the
Mississippi, If we will be good boys" and do as
they bid us. Wherever they have the power they
drive before them into their ranks the Southern
people. and they would also drive us. Trust
them not; were they able. they would invade and
destroy Us without mercy Absolutely assured
OF these things, am amazed that any one could
think of peace ON any terms He who entertaius
the sentiment is ft only to be Il slave: he who
utters il at this time Is. moreover. traitor 10 his
country, who deserves the Scorn and contempt of
all honorable men When the power of the un-
ScrupulOus Rebel leaders is removed and the
people are free to consider and act for their own
interests, which are common with ours under
this Government, there will be no great difficulty
! in differentiation. Between our tastes and social
life there fewer differences than between those
OF the people OF the northern and southern prov
inces of England and ireland.
Hoping the time may speedily come when the
power OF the periidiols and cruel trrants of this
| rebellion having been overthrOwn Il ne zee may
| he laid on the broad foundation of national unity
and equal justice TO nil under the Constitution
| and laws.
| remain your fellow citizen,
W. s. RosEcRANs, Major General.