The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1864-03-30
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GEN.
BUTLER AND FEMININE sECES-
SIONISr
LocUsTvILLE. AccoVAc Co., Va, }
March 10, 1864.

LocUsTvILLE. AccoVAc Co, Va,
March 10, 1864.
General B z. Bstlsr-SIR Nv school has
been closed since Christmas. because as under
stood the oath required Of us, I could not con-
scent0u,ly take IT, Having heard since then
that one Of your officers sxplans the oath a.
meaning that we simply consent 10 the acts OF
the United States Government and pledge pas
SITE obedience 10 the same take the liberty OF
addressing This 10 you 10 ascertain il YOU go con
sIrue the oath. ! cannot understand how q wo
nian can support protect aud defend the Tn.
ion, except by speaking or writing in favor OF
the present war, y ch l could never do, because
my sympathies are With tie South II by those
NJ u sou understand merely passire Submission
l an ready 70 take the oath snd abide by il sac
rsdiy. Very respectfully,
MARY ;. GRAvTs.
HEAnQUARTERs. lssh Army CoRPs,
OPT OF NIEGINA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
EoATRAss AoNEoE, Mar. IA, ls64,
Ny Lear Haaa'a Il an truly sorry that any
Union officer OF mine has attempted 10 fritter
away the effect Of the oath Of allegiance TO the
Government Of the United States, ard TO inform
YOU that iI means nothing more than passive Obe-
dience 10 tue same.
That officer is surely mistaken. The oath OF
allegiance means isalty pledge Of faith to, love,
affection, and reverence tor the Government, all
comprised in the word patriotism, in its highest
and traest sense, which every true American
feels for his or her Government.
You say, q" / cauLot understand hoN a woman
can support, protect, ald defend the Union. e1-
cert by speaking or writing in favor OF the pres
ent war, which l could never do, because my
sympashies are with the SOUTH
: f.sr
rot uadorsgaLd " hos woman eau support. pro.
tect and defend the Union"
Were you loyal ct heart YOU would AZ once
understand. The Southern women who are reb-
els understand well " how to support. protect.
and defend the Contederscy, without either
speaking or writing" Some OF them act as
spies, some sEusge quinine in their under
clothes, SOME smuggle information through the
lines in their dresses some tend sick soldiers for
The COniederacy, some ges up subscriptions for
rebel guuboats.
/ Perhaps il may all be comprised in the phrase
" here there i - sal tAoro IL q -var.n
Now, thsn, YOU could support, protect, and
defend the Union" by teaching the scholars OF
your school to love aud reverence the Govern
meut, 10 be proud of their country, to glory in
ils flag, and 20 be true to its Constitution. But,
"a you don't understand that yourself you can't
teacn it to them, and therefore, | atm glad to
Learn irom your letter that your school has been
closed since Christmas, ani With my consent, un.
/ al you change yocr sentiments, aud are Loyal
woman in heart heart, it never will be opened.
would advise You, madam, forthwith TO 60
where your "sympathies" are l am only doubt
iul whether 1t L. not my duty to send you.
} have the honor 10 BE-, very respectfully, your
Obedient servant b. f. BUrLER,
Maor-General Commanding
To Mrs. Mary S. Graves, LOcustVile, AccOmaC
county, Virginia.