Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1863-02-06
Letter from Gen. Howard.

The following letter from Gen. O. O.
Howard. a brave and bonored son Of
Maine. who bears the scars Of battle upon
his own Person. appeared IN the New York
Times. Of n recent date. We give IL en-
tire. IL j. stern and just rebuke TO the
subservient. croAking tools Of secession at
The north. and would blister their con
sciences II they were not already scared as
with hot iron:
HEADQU AKrERs 2D DIV. 2D CORFs.l
Near Falmouth. Va. Jan. I, 1868.
To rae Editor Of fhe !Ncr York TTaes
The critical state Of our Government. lust
at this iuneturc. has induced me 20 risk be-
ing misinterprvted. and set before you
some Of the feelings and thoughts Of an off,
Ger in the field. who yearns for the we lfare
of his country. Sometimes hear. there
IS apathy At home amongst a large class -
then. " that the disloyal are gaining over
TO themselves this apaibetic class = tia;
- very many even rejoics Al our failures =
that " thousands are crying for peace.
peace At all events What does al this
meang What does il portend2 I have
lefi my precious family aud offered myself
TO my country; gone TO the threatened
points. breasted the storm. and thro~n ev-
cry obstruction l could in the way Of the
enemy, and am still facing him; but what
boots Il II there Is no support from home
Il there j. nothing but indifference or open
opposition there! Why struggle on and
vet this soil with our blood II there is M
love Of country. Let the enemy come in
Ike a Nhirlwind lei the cities of Philadel-
phia and New York be turned over 20 pil-
lagc; let all the horrors Of desolafing war
sweep over the thiekly populated districts
of the Western and Middle States. then
perhaps. by-and-by. our good people will
wake up % a sense Of their sinful selfshness
and folly. Peace, There is no peace.
God vii not give as peace til We conquer
IL. We may change the theatre Of the war,
bat We can have no peace. short Of the de-
stnlction 81 our country.
Prom infancy / have been taught 70 love
my country and 10 love freedom. AZ times
have been able 90 Apologize for slavery.
but have always felt that Il was a blot upon
us. Now must sacrifice my country 70
save >lave-yS The rebels might have en-
ioyed their darling Institution awhile lon
ger. but they would not have Il so: they
might still. perhaps. preserve transitory
remnant by promptly yielding 20 law and
returning 20 allegiance. but tins they will
not DO. let us out with IL: We have no
alternative; W. must destroy slavery root
and branch We must do IL in order 10
% su5Jugafs the persistent enemy of ~
publican government. God grant us the
strength aud stamina % meet the issue
boldly. n Ne do Mt he will bring us u Il
by chastcning and scourging. This is
hard duty terrible a solemn duty: but
70 j. duty.
am not prepared % see this governments
destroyed not wiling % give my children
anarchy and shame for an Inheritance. NOT
ready for a patched up peace that viii cause
the land o. be again drenchcd IN blood in
few short wears. Neither am satisfied a.
the prospect q border tha; FIVE hundrc,
thousand troops could NOT more than hsI
man. No. VIC will bear our own burden
and not bequcath them % our children.
While have ooTporars guard % lead
<Tii lead them against the enemy Of my
country.
Mr. Editor. You are a writer. This =.
your business Work. work-destroy thi
fatal apathy-conv the faint-heartea o.
iheir hopeless folly. and root out the in.id
ious. pofsono1s plants Of disloyalty that aro
growing ur in The shape q partizan orro-
sition to the Government.
\ l0us truly.
%. % How am Erio g., W.