Daily national Republican., 1863-02-20
REBUKE TO NORTHERN TRAITORS.
ELOQUENT APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE,

We have already published a telegraphlc
abstract OF the address of the Ohio Soldiers
Of the Western Army to the People of Ohio"
but it is a production so admirable in tone, so
wcll-timed, so eloquent, just and truthful, that
we cannot deny ourselves the pleasure of
spreading II in full before our readers. II de-
serves to be printed in letters of gold on satin,
and preserved as an honored and sacred me-
mortal in every household in the States Let il
be remembered that his Is the voice of Ohio
soldiers in the field, and II should put to the
blush all who have sought to breed discomfort
in their minds, or lnstil treason into their
hearts.-Eds Cincinnati Gazette.
BATrLE-FIELD or STONE RIVER,
February /.
To hc People Of Ohio:
The Ohio soldiers of the Western army, your
friends, brothers, and sons, address YOU from
this field Of renOwn in urgent entrCaty, upon
matters Of such grave import to them and to
the country, as to demand your calm and pa
ticnt audience. EXiles from home for long
weary months, away from the petty strife Of
local politics, and the influence of selfish DEM
agOgues and party leaders, with the pure and
steadlast faith in the holy cause of defending
our Government which brought us into the
ANAAS bhN hho ouaholhSh hb III ltlllb, ldIubnlph,
tolls and exposures, which have scarcely a
parallel in history, we feel none Of the aCcri-
monious bitterness that now enters into tho
ignoble contentious of home politics, and calm
ly view the condition of the country from that
only true standpoint, the soldiers and patriots
devotion TO the great Republlc-once blessed of
all nations.
We ask, what means this wild, shameless
party strife at home ! why any opposition to
this war Of self-preservation why any but po-
ltical demagogues should wish a severance of
the Republic wherefore a foolish rry for a
cessation Of hostilities on part, TO give time
10 the traitor rebels to strengthen their dcfences
and discipline their armies why should the
brave, true men of the great army Of the United
States, war-broken, toil-worn and battle. e.stained
he left without sympathy or aid from YOU men
of Ohio, now enjoying the blessings Of peace
careless of dangers Of invasion, wars dread
terrors, only because we, your brothers and
sons, stand between your loved homes and
wars desolation :"
Are we not In waTi Is not the whole force
OF the Government employed in defending the
nation against a gigantic effort to DESTROY IL I
Has not blood flowed like water, and treasure
expended enough to make rich a nationi Is
not worth preseTvinGl Can two or more States
be carved out peacefully from the present loved
Republict Can we give away its rivers, lands
and loyal people to its Destroyer Can we af-
ford to divide the Republic into contending pet
cine wars between small princlpalitiesl Can
We quietly, calmly, even cOmplaCently, sit by
and see the grand Republic OF the world thus
cut off and destroyed by innate weakness No
! honest citizen of Ohio is willing that such
should be our fate.
What matters now the cause Of the war; By
whose fault, or by the adoption OF what mis-
taken poliCyi 1t exists 1t must be fought
out, or ended by giving up all that 1t is waged
for For the sake of peace; to be rid of the
burdens Of taxation; for the fear of the she'd
ding of blood; would any bascly give up his
nation, and become the citizens of a ruined and
dshOnOTed land
Then, wherefore opposition to the war! Be-
cause particular party Is In pOweri Because
It's policy Is obnoxious! Because II has com
mltted eTors Because 1t has thrown to It's
surface and given prominence to bad or inCom-
Petent men, or adopted political theories and
sought to make them practical which are con-
demned by many good mGni No! the remedy
for all these evils, If they exist at all, NAV be
sought In the quiet but powerful means of the
ballot, which has power In our Government Il
change dynasties, where the armies Of the world
would fail.
10 1t thought that peace and a voluntary re-
stOration OF the Union may be effected by com
promiBel All that has been tried. Disdain
fully the rebels flung back in our faces every
prohered olive branch before peaceful men be.
came armed soldiers, and the booming Of For
called nation to arms. And now, insolenl
and defiant, they laugh to Bcorn all thoughtl
Oi peace on any other terms than recognition
Of their false nationality. They arc stronger
now than then. The despots and money
changers Of Europe have given them gubstan n
tial aid to destroy Republic; they have NOR,
powerful armies, abler generals and firmel
determination than when the rebellion began
They know their strength and appeal 10 iEno
TO the poor demagogues of the North, who ar,
their allies. They condemn and despise Msm
Read their proclamations, addresses, arm,
ever spoken of their Northern friends excep
as allies IN The 1dr! They deride the foolisl
appeals of their Northern allies for peace anC
compromise, and preclude all hope of the re
stOration Of the Union on any terms
What incalculAble mischief is being done b,
these Northern allies-thelr speeches and news
papers are quoted, and results of elections re
ported In Southern papers, as evidence not o
any hope OF restoring the Union, but to shOv
that the loyal people OF the North arc becom
ing willing to submit to any dishonorable AM
Illuminating terms Of peace, based even on
full recognition that this fendlsh rebellion wa
right, and that it was we'll 10 destroy this Gov
eminent.
People Of Ohio! But o,e alternative Is LEI
you. You must pronounce this a inst rebellion
You must say that II lcaS right and jusfifabLc n
destroy his RepUblicj that RsDuJlic is a ,reak
helpless Government, pOucricss 10 sustain itseIt
and 10 be destroyed mh,,tcpsr ,o,aDirators 0,g.gJ
GGIl be allied for he purpose, or, youuut Sho,o h
he rOrlG the power of selfpTeseryation In tn
great eXampleOf Confedoratod Republics. Tha
It has quiet dormant force, which aroused
has gigantic strength aud energy. That 1t no
only can protect Its citizens in all of their right
and privileges, but can sustain itself 40 wei
against foreign attack as internal treason.
We are fighting for the Republic, to it W
have given our hearts, our arms, our lives
We intend to stand between you and the desc
lNtlng hosts Of the rebels, whose most cherishe
hope and desire has been and Is, to take DOS
session Of and ravage your own beautiful Ohio
Once already, we have stood as a living wal
between you and this fate, and we may have Il
do 1t again.
Men Of Ohio You know not what thl
western army has suffered. You know no
now the hardshipB and sufferinRs of your sol
dlers in their chill tents, their shelterless BIZ
vouacs, their long. MearY marchas nnh th.I,