The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1865-02-09
GEN. Sherman on the Rebellion.

The following letter was written by
Gen. Sherman, in reply to certain iuqui-
ries from a citizen of Georgia:
Headquarters Military DiUiSioa Of the
Mississippi, an the field, Sa0annah, Ga,
January, s, 1865.-Dear Sir: Yours of
the Sd instant is received, and in answer
to your inqairies, [ beg to state [ am
merely commander, and act only in that
capacity; nor can l give any assurances or
pledges affecting civil matters in the
future. They will be adjusted by Con-
gress when Georgia is again represented
there as of old.
Georgia is not out of the Union, and
therefore the talk of "reconstructiou" APP
pears to me inappropriate. Some of the
people have been and still are in a state
of revolt; and as long as they remain
armed and organized, the United States
must pursue them with armies, and deal
with them according to military law. But
as soon as they break up their armed
organizations and return to their homes I
take it they will be dealt with by the civil
courts. Some of the rebels In Georgia, in
my Judgment, deserve death, because they
have committed murder, and other crimes,
which are punished with death by all
civilized governments on earth. l think
this was the course indicated by Gen.
Washington, in reference to the Whisky
insurrection, and like principle seemed
to be recognized at the time of the Burr
conspiracy.
As to the Union of the States under
our government, we have the high author
ity of Gen. Washington, who bade us be
jealous and careful Of it, and the still more
emphatic words of Gen. jackson, "The
Federal Union. it must and shall be pre-
served" Certainly Georgians cannot
question the authority of such men, and
should not suspect our motives, who are
simply fulfilling their commands. Wher-
ever necessary, force has been used to
carry out that end; and you may rest
assured that the Union will be preserved,
cost what it may. And if you are sensi-
BILE men you will conform to this order of
things, or else migrate to some other
country. There is NJ other alternative
open to the people of Georgia.
My opinion is that no negotiations are
necessary, nor commissioners, nor conven-
tions, nor anything of the kind. When
ever the people of Georgia quit rebelling
against their government and elect mem
bers of Congress and Senators, and these
go and take their seats, then the State of
Georgia will have resumed her functions
in the Union.
These are merely my opinions, but in
confirmation of them, as ! think, the peo-
pie of Georgia may we'll consider the fol-
lowing words referring to the people Of
the rebellious States, which | quote from
the recent annual message Of President
Lincoln to Congress at It's present session {:
"They can at any moment have peace
simply by laying down their arms and
submitting to the national authority under
the Constitution. After so much, the
government could not, if it would, main
tain war against them. The loyal people
would not sustain or allow it. If ques-
tions should remain, we would adjust
them by the peaceful means of legislation,
conference, courts and votes. Operating
only in constitutional and lawful channels,
some certain and other possible questions
are and would be beyond Executive pow
er to adjust, as, for instance, the admission
of members into Congress and whatever
AHiS hI iOd uAiC 'liO L pJl Opi iittOh VI AiobCJ'
The President then alludes to the gen
eral pardon and amnesty offered for more
than year past, upon specified and more
liberal terms, to all except certain desig-
mated classes, even these being 'Estill with
in contemplation of special clemercy,"
and adds:
alt is still SO open to all, but the time
may come when public duty shall demand
that it be closed, and that in lieu more
vigorous measures than heretofore shall
be adopted" -
1t seems to me that it is time for the
people of Georgia to act for themselves,
and return, in time, to their duty to the
government of their fathers
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. I. SHERMAN, Major General.
IEEppTpTE EONTT n -