The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-01-25

DRaR SIR.-Yours Of the Sd inst Is re-
ceived, and in answer to your inquiries
| beg TO state l am merely a military
commander, and act only in that capa-
city nor can give any assurance or
pledges affecting civil matters in the
future. They will be adjusted by Con
gres when Georgia is again represented
there IS Of old.
Georgia Is not ont Of the Union, and
therefore the talk of reconstruction"
appears to me inappropriate. Some Of
the people have been and still are IN a
state OF revolt, and as long as they re-
main armed and organized, the United
States must pursue them with armies,
and deal with them according 10 mill
tary law. But as soon Is they break up
their armed organisations and return
10 their homes, take it they will be
dealt with by the civil courts Some Of
tho rebels in Georgia, in nay judgment,
deserve death, because they have COM
mitted murder, and other crimes,
which are punished with death by all
civilized governments on earth. 1 think
this was the course indicated by Gen.
! Washington, in reference TO the WINS
/ KEY Insurrection, and a like principle
seemed 70 be recognized at the time Of
the Burr conspiracy.
as 70 the Union of the States under
our Government, we have the high au-
| thority Of Gen. Washington, who babe
us be Jealous and careful of it, and the
still more emphatic words of General
Jackson, @The Federal Union, it must
and shall be preserved" Certainly
Georgians cannot question the author
ity ofsuch men, and should not suspect
our motives, who are simply fulfilling
their commando Wherever necessary
force has been used to carry out that
end; and you may rest assured that
the Union viii be preserved, cost what
it may. And if you are sensible men
you will conform 70 this order Of things
or elsesmigrste to some other country.
There il no other alternative open to
the people of Georgia.
Ny opinion ia that no Rakotiations
are necessary, OF commissioners, nor
conventions, nor anything of this kind
Whenever the people of Georges quit
rebellion against their Government and
elect members of Congress aud Sena-
tors, and these 20 and take their seats,
then the State of Geoi gis will have re-
sumed her functions in the Union
These are merely nay opinions, but in
confirmation of them, a. l think, the
people of Georgia may well considert the
following words referring to the people
of the rebellious States, which Iquote
from the recent annual message Of
Pr esident Lincoln TO Congress at its
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 50 much,
the Government would not, if it could,
maintain war against them. The loyal
people would not sustain or allow it, If
questions should remain, We would ad-
Just them by the peaceful means of le-
gislation, conference, courts and votes.
Operating only in constitutional and
lawful channels, some certain and other
possible questions are and would be be-
yond the Executive power to adjust as
for instance, the admission of members
into Congress and whatever might
require the appropriation of money"
The President then alludes to the
general pardon and amnesty offered for
more than year past, upon specified
and more liberal terms, to all except
certain designated classes, even these
being, still within contemplation of
special clemency," and sdds:
alt is still so open to all, but the time
may come when public duty shall de-
mand 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 foa themselves,
and return, IN time, to their duty to the
Government Of their fathers
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. 7. SHERMAN, Major General