Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-07-18

/ A Soldiers Letter 10 General Cox
They Ask him TO Define his Posi-.
ti0n.
Some days ago we learned, incidentally,
that number OF officers and soldiers, who
have seen service during the late war, had
addressed letter to General JACOB DoLsoN
Cox, the Republican candidate for Govern
or, asking him certain questions as to his
views about Restoration and Negro Suf-
frage. We have succeeded in procuring a
copy OF the letter, which we print below.
We understand that 1t was handed to the
General the day it was written; but it has
not yet been answered, as we are informed.
1t is as follows:
SOLDIERS LETTER TO GEN. cox
COLUMBUS, o.. July Sd, 1865.
MAJOR GENERAL Cox, Commanding 23d
Army Corps:
Dear Sir-As your fellow soldiers and
fellow citizens, we congratulate you upon
your nomination as a'candidate for Gov
ernor of Ohio; and as comrades desiring
your success, If there be concurrence of
our views on certain public questions of
We are only soldiers, and know nothing
of the tricks and schemes of politicians;
and we therefore regret that the Conven-
tion which placed you In nomination failed
to give expression of the views of the party
on the subject of Reconstruction of the
Union and Negro Suffrage.
1t is true that the Convention in general
terms indorsed the policy of President
johnson, but it is equally true that few
hours after the adjournment of the Con-
vention, General Schenck declared in
speech in front Of the Capitol that he was
opposed to receiving the representatives of
the Southern States into Congress, until
they had shown their loyalty by giving the
right Of suffrage to the negro.
He further said that "there were three
classes of persons in the South-the aristo-
Gratis, who were secessionists; the white
trash" meaning those loyal whites who
have the misfortune to be poor; and "the
negroes, who were loyal to the CORE" And
II suffrage was extended to either OF these
classes, he wished it to be given to the ne
gro.
1t is charged, General, that you are in ia
vor of placing the negro upon political
equality with white soldiers, and white cit
liens.
In order, therefore, to give you an oppor-
tun1ty 10 Vlndlcate yourself from charges
of so damaging character, we ask you the
following questions:
1st. Are you in favor of restoring the
Southern States to all their rights in the
Union, as proposed by President johnson,
even if the right of suffrage is not extended
to the negro?
I'd. Are you in favor of giving the negro
the right to vote in Ohio, and to confer
upon him all the other privileges of citi-
zen, either now, or at any future time?
We feel it to be due to you to say that we
are in favor of President Johnson's plan of
reconstruction that we believe it 10 be the
duty of all loyal citizens to sustain the
Government, and that we are opposed to
negro suffrage now, or at any future time.
We are, respectfully, your comrades and
fellow-citizens,
F.S. PARKER, Capt. sSth o. vi.
A. L. ANDERSON,
L.W. NICHOLS,
DC. PATRICK, Adjt. "
NJ. G. w. SMITH, Sergt. 18th U. S. A.
A. H. PoTEN, late Lt.-Col. Inv. Corps.
J.V. Chiffon, 1st 1t. SSth o. vi.
JAS. d. WILSON, 1st 1t. SSth O.V.L.
ED. LANE, late Sergt. 1st Cav. U. S. A.
p. IvoNY, 1st 1t. SSth O.V |.
J. II. PATTERSON, lst 1t. SSth o. l.
i. r. MARSHALL,
j. NJ. WNsPIGLAR,