The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1864-10-15

prepare In time. The use of Atlanta for
warhke. purposes is inconsistent with its
character as a home for families. There
will be no manufactures, commerce or ag-
ricultuTe here for the maintenance of fam
lilies. and sooner or later want viii compel
the inhabitants to 60. Why not 60 nor,
when all the arrangements are completed for
the transfer, instead of waiting till the
planging shot of contending armies will
renew the scene of the past month OF
course do not apprehend any such thing
at this moment, but you do not suppose
that this army will be here till the war is
ovver. I cannot discuss this question with
you fairly, because cannot impart to you
what l propose 10 do, but assert that my
military plans make it necessary for the in
habitants to 90 away, and can only renew
my offer Of services to make their exodus
in any direction as easy and comfortable as
possible. You cannot qualify war in harsh
er terms than l will.
War is cruelty, and you cahnot refine it
and those who brou ght war on the country
deserve all the curses and maledictions a
people can pour ont. l know | had no
hand in making thi war, and l know will
make more sacrifices to-day than any OF
you to secure peace. But you cannot have
peace and a division of our country. If
the United States submits to a division now,
it will not stop, but will got on till we reap
the fate of Mexico, which is eternal war
The United States does and must assert its
authority wherever it has power if it re
lakes one bit to pressure it is gone, and
know that such is not the national feeling.
This feeling assumes various shapes, but
always comes back to that of Union. Once
admit the Union, once more acknowledge
the authority of the National Government,
and instead of devoting your houses and
streets and roads to the dread uses of war,
l, and this army, become at once your pro-
tectors and supporters, shielding you from
danger, let it come from what quarter it
may 1 know that few individuals cannot
resist torrent of error and passion such as
has swept the South into rebellion but you
can point out, so that we may know those
who desire a Government and those who
insist on war and its desolation.
You might as we'll appeal against the
thunderstorm as against these terrible hard
ships of war. Theyare inevitable, and the
only way the people of Atlanta can hope
once more to live in peace and quit at home
| is to stop this war, which can alone be done
by admitting that it began in error and is
perpetuated in pride We don't want your
negroes or your horses, or your houses or
your land, or anything you have but we
do want and will have just obedience to
the laws of the United States. That we
vii have, and if it involves the destruction
of your improvements, we cannot help it.
You have heretofore read public sentiment
in your newspapers, that live by falsehood
and excitement, and the quicker you seek
for truth in other quarters the better for you.
l repeat, then, that, by the original com
pact of the Government. the United States
had certain rights in Georgia which have
never been reliHquished, and never will be;
that the South began the war by Selling
forts, arsenals. minis, custom houses, etc,
ETC., long before Mr.. Lincoln wss installed,
and before the South had one jot or title of
provocation. l myself have seen in Mis-
souri,, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missis8ip-
ipi, hundreds aud thousands Of women
and children fleeing from your armies and
desperadoes, hungry and with bleeding feet.
In Memphis, Vickburg and Mississippi we
fed thousands upon thousands OF the fami-
lies of rebel soldiers left on orr hands, and
WEOm We CoulG not see StaENS. NOW IndL
war comes home to you, you feel very diff
Iferent-you deprecate its horrors, but did
not feel them when you sent carloads OF
soldiers and ammunition and nodded shell
and shot to carry war into Kentucky aud
Tennessee, and desolate the homes of hun
dreds and thousands of good people, who
only asked to live in peace at their old
homes, and under the Government of their
inheritance. But these comparisons are
idle. want peace, and believe it can on
ly be reached through Union aud war, and
1 will ever conduct war purely with view
to perfect and early success.
But, my dear siTs, when that peace does
come, you may call on me for anything.
Then will 1 share with you the last crack
er, and watch with you to shield your homes
and families against danger from every
quarter. Now, you must go, and take with
you the old and feeble; feed and nurse
them, and build for them in more quiet
places proper habitations to shield them
against the weather. until the mad passions
of men cool down, and allow the Union and
/ peace once more to settle on your old bones
at Atlanta.
Yours, in haste,
W. T. SHERMAN, Maj Gen.