The Howard union. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1865-1866, 1865-07-20
"Running off, Returned Rebels.

We regret to learn from several counties
Of the State that in some neighb orhoods
young men from Missouri, who Joined the
rebel army and have since, returned, under
pledges from our Government that they
should be unmolested, have been perempto.
riy ordered off, and in many cases have
been obliged TO leave the homes 10 which
they had come back. Several instances Of
such lawless violence are reported from
Franklin county, but this is but one among
The many in which this reprehensiblc spirit
has been manifested. The cases are very
numerous, and as notorious in the places
where they occur as they are numerous.
Tie wrong done in this way is not com
mitted by Federal soldiers, but by stay.a al.
home citizens who probably show by these
outrsges on delenceless men that they are
acuated by the same cowardice which kept
them out of the ranks Of the army. The
returned Federal soldiers usually manifest
more generosity and justice TO foe whom
they have met and have vanquished, after
having found them worthy of their STEEL
Governor Fletcher has, in public speech
of apparently great elaboration, declared
himself loudly against these oulrages, He
has done but justice TO the kind Of men vino
are guilty of them when he said: "Our
soldiers were Too brave 10 be cruel or .vin-
diclive 10 an armed foe; TOO heroic TO take
vengeance on soldiers who had surrendered.
The men who had stayed at home while
others fought the battles of the Republic
were, for the most part, the men who were
most malignant, and who, with mistaken
views of loyalty and duty, would enbitler
q strife which ought TO be allayed."
In The same speech he condemned this
violence in such language as follows:
The war was over, and large numbers oil
rebel soldiers were returning to our midst
Asa Radical among the Radicals he would
ssy, let us stand in good faith by the pledges
OF the National Government, and by The
doctrine of leniency and fraternity. Some
Of the people in few counties had met and
passed resolutions forbidding a return tc
their old homes Of those who had been il
arms against the Government. This was
wrong 1t was violalive of the pliehtet
+ faith Of the nation as seen in the terms o
, their surrender. No man who had not il
addition 10 being a soldier in the rebel arm,
committed murder, robbery, arson or othe
: crimes, should be molesed if he could pre-
vent il; and, if charged with either of thes
t crimes, our Courts were omen and Their
7 they should be arraigned and fairly trie,
1 accordingly TO law.
0 We must return 10 the process of Ii
| law, 10 the peaceful remedies of the law, I
+ that spirit CT forgiveness and fraternity $
i. honorable 10 our nature and SO essential t
: The interests CT society.
e The indelensible acts here denounce
e have no support in the feelings of a larg
S majority Of the people of this State, but it i
$ well known that the combination of fe,
r violent men bent on mischief can overaw
even majority of their neighbors, whe
e these last tail to unite against them. Whg
n is evidently demanded in these cases is tn;
the Governor shall use his power 10 Sc
that these men, who have returned in goo
t faith, intending 10 lead quiet lives, shall NJ
Q be molested. He has said they shall not b
!. ''if he can prevent it," He can comman
Il the necessary force, and would moreover |
f backed by general opinion that would 500
1 quell these INSIDERS who will subside Ii
c moment they understand that they will n,
= be INDUCED in their lawlessness.
Missouri, at this moment, needs all ii
:, inhabitants she can get from whatever qual
p ter, who give signs that they IRE willing
: conduct themselves peaceably, and appl
c themselves 10 honest labor. Let Governt
d Fletcher see 10 it, as he can. that no sue
1