The Columbia daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1865, 1865-05-26
Sound Words from a Sound Source.

/! lucky. Though Immediately applicable to
his own constituents. over whom no man
has SO much nor such Justly obtained in
fuence, these words of wisdom, Of sober
judgment and rational appeal, are not
without their appositen ess to all Confede,
rate soldiers. They point to the discharge
| of home duties, from which no man can
shrink. Peace has been obtained, it mat.
tere not at what cost of feeling and rrin-
ciple-:hat peace is now to be maintained.
and he IS wlsest who strives with his whole
heart to make the most of our situation.
We thank Mr.. Bruce for 80 souudy ad-
vsing the gallant soldiery whom he has
represented so long. True to them in the
flush OF victory, as in the sad hour of de-
feat. his words of practical wisdom will
not fall unheeded:
AUGUSTA, Ga, May 10, 1866.
SOLDIERS OF KENTUCKY: Finding it ut
| terly impossible to communicate with each
Of you "a l would wish, and even to an
swer by letter or verbally the various in
quiries propounded to me, have taken
this method of responding and saying a
! few things 20 you. that deem justified
by our past relations and the hopes of our
common future.
! First, frankly, my advice to-. you is to
returh to your homes. There is no hope
Of prosecuting the war to different con-
clusion. either here or in the Trans -Missis-
sippi Department.; and feel assured that
every man who shall lose his life hereafter
in the mad strife will be selfmurdered.
would not, therefore, have you led farther
| astray by any delusive prospects Of con-
tinuance of the struggle. Your duty
henceforth lies at home, in the peaceful
pursuits of civil life.
Your title to the appe'lation OF heroes
has been fully established. You have
proven yourselves Kentuckians, worthy of
the name, crowned as it is by heroic
daring. and wreathed with the laurels of
victory won on so many battle fields of
past historic renown. A nobler duty now
awaits you. Successful you have not
been. But patient and magnanimous you
can be under defeat, showing yourselves
as good and faithful citizens as YOU have
been brave and chivalrous soldiers.
At considerable personal hazard, have
remained here in order to farther your
interest. l have had frequent interviews
with the United States military authorities,
who have treated me with uniform kind.
| ness and courtesy, and acceded to al! my
! requests in your behalf. Recognizing and
respecting your solderly qualities, they
now only desire to facilitate your return
to your families, and to treat you honor
ably as soldiers and felIo w-citizens. l am
sure you will reciprocate this magnani-
nous and kind feeling.
| Paroles will be furnished you in this
| city and the various towns where YOU NAV
be located, which will entitle YOU to trans
| Portation and rations, where they can be
| furnished.
Transportation will be furnished via
Atlanta, Dalton. Chattanooga, &c. fear
You may be compelled to walk from A.
lanta to Kingston or Gainesville. Wa
| gons, however will be furnished for the
sick and wounded. Your parole will
| guarantee you subsistence at any point
where United States commissary depot
may be established.
Aud now, my friends. bid you an af-
fectonate farewell. My parting injunc-
tion is to be true to your manhood-to be
calm, courteous and digni6ed. Avoid dis
cusslons. Use no language of recrimina-
ton: Be, above all things, gentlemen. In
the peace of. your homes, rest quietly.
Be not sllured by any enticements. to
engage in guerilla warfare. That will
produce evil and only evil. 1t is unchris-
tian aud inhuman, aid can only protracta a
contest which has already caused tears of
blood to flow and reared hecatombs OF
martyrs. repeat, therefore. accep. your
paroles and regard them with scrupulous
fidelity. Let your conduct be marked by
faithful obedience to the laws of Your
country. Resolve to aid in the great
work OF pacitication and reconciliation,
which will give peace and prosperity again
to this once happy and prosperous land
Commenting you to the Great Con-
troIler OF Events, who has so screlv af-
ti'ated Us. pray that He may guide and
protect you; that we may learn wisdom
from the bitter experience of the past, and
that your honor may never be eullied. I