The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-06-13
Gen. Schoaeld.
TO the Editor of the N. Y. Tribune.
A week ago addressed note to you re-

TO the Editor of the ~ Y. 7sibuns.-S
A week ago addressed note to you re-
speeding Gen. Schofield.
nave just received q private letter,
Whlch fully sustains the statements then
MADE. 1t is written to me, not in answer
TO any letter Of mine, as had not written
nm. Nor was it in consequence of the
publication of any sentiments or views
ascribed to him by the press, as sufficient
time had not elapsed for those papers to
reach St. Louis; but it is frank, free-will
Offering OF his feelings and views, to per-
sonal friend, without reserve. The letter
is as follows:
ST. LOUIS, June l, 1S63.-MY DEAR SIR:
HAS informed me Of the interest you
have manifested in my promotion and con
nection with this Department.; and above
all, that you have done me the kindness to
question Of the day. You were right in
saying that was an Anti-Slayery man,
though not an Abolitionist, before the war.
These terms have greatly changed their
relative meaning since the Rebellion broke
out. regard universal emancipation as
one OF the necessary consequences of the
Rebellion, or rather as one of the means
absolutely necessary to a complete restora-
ton OF the Union; and this because Slavery
as the great cause of the Rebellion, and
and the only obstacle in the way of q per-
feet Union. The perception of these inn
portant truths is spreading with almost as
tonishing rapidity in this State. have
great hope that the State Convention,
which meets on the 18th inst, will adopt
some measure for the speedy emancipation
OF slaves. If so, our difficulties here will
be substantially at an end.
When the popular mind seiZes a great
principle and resolves to carry it into exc
cution, it becomes impatient of the re-
straints imposed by existing laws, and in
it's haste to break down the barrier which
stands in the way Of its darling object be-
comes regardless Of all law, and anarchy
is the result. This is our difficulty here
The people soiU hare freedom for the slave.
No law OF the United States. nor of Mis-
souri,, nor yet any order of the President,
meets the case. The loyal slave owners
demands that his rights under the laws be
protected. Let US have an ordinance of
the State Convention which will satisfy the
demands of the popular mind and no loyal
man will murmur.
You can imagine with what deep interest
look forward to the legal settlement of
this question, so deeply involving the sue
cess of the great cause, for the time being
intrusted to my care. J
In Arkansas and other States to which
the Presidents Proclamation applies SO far
as have observed, no such difficulty ex-
lists. The loyal people accept the decree
without complaint, perfectly willing to
give up all they have, if it must be, for the
Union. So much the greater honor is due
them for their cheerful sacrifice, because
they do not, and cannot be expected to APP
preciate and understand the principle of
freedom as it is impressed upon the loyal
heart of the North.
Please accept many thanks for your
kindness, and believe me. .
Yours very truly, J. NJ. SCHOFIELD.
To JNo f. Williams, Esq, New York.
am sure, Sir, you will be as glad to
give these manly, generous sentiments to
your readers, as i am to place Gen. Scho-
field, by the use Of his own words, clearly
and indisputably right on the record, which
l do, without any design or thought on his
part, that his letter to me would be pub
lished. Yours with respect,
JOHN f. WILLIAMS.