The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-09-11
Letter from General Howard.

On the eve Of leaving the State last week,
General Howard wrote the following letter
to an intimate personal friend who thinks no
confidence is betrayed in allowing 1t to bo
laid before tho public. 1t is worthy Of note
that General Howard returned to the army
twenty-five days before his furlough expires.
Ho was anxious to remain, but the prospect
of "active operations" in the Army Of tho
Potomac, calls him ut once to his command.
His heroic devotion to the sacred cause Of
his country has cndsarcd him to tho cntiro
loyal population Of Maine, yet the venom
ous Copperhcad journal q the State assail
him because ho utters tho word Of q patriot
in calling on tho people to sustain the Gov
crnmcnt at the polls.
FARxlNoroS. Aug. 26, 1868.
Ny Dear Friend: 1t will be impossible for
me to comply with any further invitation to
speak in Maino, since duty calls mo to tho
field. The enthusiastic reception have met
with from every quarter, am constrained to
look upon as an expression of regard Tor me
as tho soldiers representative, and moro par
ticularly as q mark of loyalty TO the Govern.
nent have striven to defend.
This loyal spirit is true and deep. and will,
believe, carry everything before it. bo-
lieve there are o great many earnest men who
have heretofore been welded to party inter-
csts-thor own interests having been thor
oughly identified thcrewith-who must break
loose from such restrain. rather than di-
Frcctly or indirectly war against the Republic
in this crisis.
do not wish to mcddle with party poll.
tics either local or national-only 30 far rs
the very existence of the Government is con-
cerned. am perfectly willing so stand with
my fcllow.soldicrs to guard tho Republic
against enemies in arms. but feel unwilling
to labor to no purpose. Northern division
certainly gives aid and comfort to tho rebels,
and thereby protracts the war. Every blow
aimed Mt the government and its charactcris-
tic measures, keeps alive tho rebel hope that
apathy and paralysis will seize the Northern
heart, and doubt not some traitors look
with longing and expectancy to SEQ party
strife mount up to all the horrors Of civil
war.
But we have too much real virtue and real
good sense in the masses of our people to
permit trcachcry cowardcc, covctousncss, or
other kindred fruits OF extreme sclfishness to
prevail. The volunteer soldiers have cheer
fully submitted to the rigors of martial law;
and now for o season, in accordance with
the will of the people through their Repro
scntativcs, the trial of a moderate conscrip-
ton is imposed on the citizens. II they
have virtue, patriotism, or even broad view
OF self.intcrcst, they will not only submit
chccrfully, but will welcome tho opportuni.
ty to do so much good with 80 small sacri-
fec. '-tI
The rebels arc dividing Sounds of discord
reach us by every mcssage.bcarcr. Oh, that
tho free people OF the North worc unit for
q few short months. BY unity, by an un-
broken front to the enemy, the country is
rendered perfectly safe! Satc against scces.
sion and rebellion safe against anarchy
safe against aristocracy! safe against mon
archy ut homo and abroad l hope and
pray that neither our people nor our states
men will fail us just on tho eve OF complete
success. Very truly yours,
D. o. Howard, Maj. Gcn.