Daily national Republican., 1864-03-16
INTERESTING LETTERS.

General Butler'B Correspondents with q
school TeAeher-Hs teaches her young
idea how to shoot Patriotic Aly-Hs
dsAneG 20 her the true nature OF the
Oath OF Allegiance.
LocusrvILLE, AccoMAe COUNTY, Va,
General B. >. ButlST;
SIR Ny school has been closed since Christ
mas, because, as / understood the oath re-
qulred of us, could not conscientiously take
it. Having heard since then that one Of your
officers explains the oath as meaning, simply,
that we consent to the acts Of the United States
Government, and pledge pdssfre obedience to the
same. / take the liberty Of addressing this to
you, 10 ascertain II you so construe the oath. 1
cannot understand how a woman can Support,
protect and defend the Union," except by
speaking or priting In favor Of the present war,
which / could never do, because my sympa-
thies are with the South. II by those words
you understand merely passive submission, am
ready to take tho oath, and abide by IL tsacredly,
Very respectfully, MART s. GRAvBs.
HEADoUARTERg, 18TH ARMY CoRPs,
DEBT or VIRGINIA AND NoRTH CAROLINA,
FoRTREss MONROE, March IL, 1854. }
Ny DEAR MADAM: l am truly sorry that any
Union officer Of mine has attempted TO fritter
away the effect Of the oath OF allegiance to the
Government OF the United States, and to in
form you that 1t means nothing more than pas
siye obedience to the same.
That officer is surely mistaken. The oath OF
allegiance means fealty, pledge of faith to, love-
affection, and reverence for, the Government,
all comprised in the word patriotism, in Its
highest and truest sense, which every true
American feels for his or her Government.
You say "I cannot understand how a woman
can support, protect, and defend the Union,
except by speaking or writing in favor OF the
present war, which could never do, because
my sympathles are with the South"
That last phrase, madam, shows why you
| cannot understand chow q woman can support
protect, and defend the Union"
Were you loyal at heart you would at once
understand. The Southern women who are
rebels understand well show to support, pro.
tect, and defend" the Confederacy, "without
either speaking or writing" Some OF them
act as spies, some smuggle qulnine in their
underclothes, some smuggle information
through the lines In their dresses, some tend
sick soldiers for the Confederacy, some get up
subscriptions for rebel gunboats.
Perhaps II may all be comprised in the
phrase, Where there is a will there is a way"
Now, then, you could " support, protect and
defend the Union," by teaching the scholars
of your school to love and reverence the Gov
ernment, TO be proud Of their country, to glory
In Its flag, and to be true to Its Constitution.
But, as you don't understand that yourself,
you can't teach II TO them, and, therefore, / ana
| glad TO learn from your letter that your school
has been closed since Christmas, and with my
consent, until you change your sentiments and
are loyal woman in heart, 1t never shall be
opened,
would advise you, madam, forthwith to go
where your "sympathies" are. l am only
doubtful whether tits my duty to send you.
have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
B. F. BUTLER,
Major General Commanding.
To Mrs. MARY L. GRAVES, louisville, Acco.
mac county, Virginia.