The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-11-03
An Excellent Letter from n soldier
HDoRs DEFENsEs n. ORLEANS, !
October IL, 1864.

tial contest, in order that their friends
at home might know the feeling that
exists in the army for Lincoln.
Tho coming election is one Of deep
interest to every man, soldier or
civilian, and involves great questions
and results, and it behooves every
man to think deeply OF the matter be-
force casting a vote which may lead TO
the successful issue of the present war
Or the utter overthrow or demolition
of the great work which three years
of fierce conflict has accomplished.
Doubtless there are very many who
think lightly of the matter, and con-
slider that the good of the country de-
mands peace at any cost or sacrifice.
The spirit and purpose that animated
the trainers of the Chicago Platform
was compromise and concession. Their
only cry, their evcry hope, the very
acme of human bliss would be reached
by peace, even at the cost Of dishonor
and disgrace. They would arrive at
this blessed ultimatum by the mild and
honoraJle-(God save the mark)-
means Of armiStice, compromise, c0nceS-
sion; in other words, deLqH degrdda-
ton, iydmy. This, to brave people
who have supported this war for more
than three Years, by every means in
their power, giving not only wealth
but tather, brother, sons to the contest !!
This, to the veteran who has fought
his way from Pea Ridge to the Gulf
from Alexandria to the works of the
Rebel Capital this, to the Missourian,
the Kentuckian, the Tenneesean, who,
for his adherence to the Union, has
been driven from his home and fami-
ly; his houses burned and fields laid
waste by the hands Of infamous marau-
ders in whose company even a savage
would blush to be seen This, to the
brave fellow who lies on yonder battle
field bruised and torn, the life blood
swelling from his breast Aye, cast
the foul insult in his face, that it may
rankle in his breast, whilc the life
which he has given for his country
and Union, departs Tell him while
the life drops triclile from his ghastly
wound; while the last quivering sigh
is drawn, that the tOlsome marches,
the bloody battles, the hardships and
privati)ns he has endured without q
murmur, the LJewhich hchas sacrificed
for his country-aH has been vain.
A now iSht has dawned upon u.s. a
hero (o) has once moro appeared, with
changed tactics, to defeat the work
which has been done to compromise
with the rebel who struck him that
deadly blow. Let him, ere his spirit
takes flight to another world, have
the full knowledge of the disgrace and
mfdmy they would cast upon our coun-
try and upon us.
Compromise! and with people who
have tramplcd upon and dshonored
the old flag; who have stolen our
forts and munitions of war; proved
upon our commerce; murdered and
plundercd our citizens; who have cast
our brave comrades into prisons far
worse than the Black HoleO Calcuttal
Nerer while an arm is left to WELD
sword or carry musket. Meier
whllo bright blades glitter in the
hands of the gallant Sheridan and his
brave boys. Nerer, while Fairfeld's
heroic Sherman lives to infuse into his
gallant army the patriotism and in
domitable spirit that dwclIs within
his heart Perish all in the defence of
our Union and nationality ere we
yield one step of the vantage ground
gained by stout and willing arms
There is no doubt as to the issue of
this contest, as also to the ultimate
termination Of the contest of arms.
Soldiers will vote as they fght-for
the Union. Their hearts are in the
good causA, They have given them
selves to hJ ono part of the country
but to the whOle country, Their slain
comrades rise up before them and
cry out to be avenged. Those who
are dying Of sickness, wounds and
starvation in the cattle pens of Geor-
gia and charncl houses of Virginia,
appeal to us for aid. They are bound
to us by every tie that is dear and
sacred to man. Shall we refuse them
and and assistance? Shall the rebels
longer gloat over the factions and
troubles in tho North? Prominent
mombers of the Chicago Convention
prayed God that we may never con-
quer the South, and invoked the aid
of counter-rovolution They loved
our brave, noble and chivalrous
Southern brothers. The Jrdrc South
rons who murdered Bob McCook when
lying helpless in an ambulance. The
noble fellows who come into our lines
and are pr tected and fed by our Gov
ernmcnt, taking solemn oath of allie