The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-02-03
Gen. Sherman's Views on the Nature
OF the Rebellion.


The following letter was written by Gen.
Sherman in reply to certain enquiries
from citizen of Georgia:
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF rHsD
MISSISSIPPI IN THE FIELD,
SAVANNAH, Ga, Jan. 8.
NJ W. - Esq, - County, Ca:
DEAR SIR: Yours of the Sd inst, is received,
and In answer to your enquiries, beg to state
! am merely a military commander, and act
only In that capacity nor can give any as
surances or pledges affecting civil matters in
the future. They will be adjusted by Com
gress when Georgia is again represented there
Is of old. H-I-
Georgia is not out of the Union, and there
fore the talk of reconstruction appears to
me inappropriate. Some of the people have
been and still are in 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 or
CARNATIONS and return to their homes. I take
1t they will be dealt with by the civil courts.
Some of the rebels in Georgia in my judg-
ment, deserve death; because they have COM
mitted murder, and other crimes, which are pun
ished with death by all civilized governments
on earth. But the great mass, probably, will
never be noticed. think this was the course
indicated by Gen. Washington, in reference to
the Whisky Instruction, ard q like principle
seemed to be recognized at the time ofthe Burr
conspiracy.
eminent, we have the high authority of Gen.
Washington, who babe Us be jealous and care
full of it, and the still more emphatic words of
Gen. jackson. "The Federal Union, it must
and shall be preserved" Certainly GeOrgians
cannot question the authority of such men, and
should not suspect our motives, who are sim
ply fulfilling their commands. Whenever ne
cessary, force has been used TO carry out that
end and you may be assured the Union will
be preserved, cost what 1t may And IL YOU
are sensible men you will conform to this or
der of things or else migrate to some other
country. There is no other alternative open
to the people of Georgia. 3 l'- -
My topinion is that no negotiations ore ma
cessary, nor commissioners, nor Conventions.
nor any thing OF the Kind. Whenever the poo-
pie Of Georgia quit rebelling against their gov
eminent and elect members Of Congress and
Senators, and these 60 and take their seats.
then the State of Georgia will have resumed
her functions In the Union. T,,1s
These are merely my opinions bat IN eonfr-
nation OF them. a. think, the people of
Georgia lmay well consider the following
words referring to the people Of the rebel
nous States, which quote from the recent an.
greg at its present eessiOn. .i 10 nai;eE].
Tney can at any time have peace simply
by laying down their arms and submitting 10
the national authority under the Constitution,
After 90 much, the Government would not, Il
II could, maintain war against them. The
loyal people would not suGlain or allow Il. III
Questions should remain, We would. adjust
them by the peaceful means Of Legislation, con
terence, courts and votes. Operating only In
COnGtifutiOnal and lawful nhenv,>la .Crn. -,