The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-02-03
Cen 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 THE,
MISSISSIPPI IN THE FIELD,
SAVANNAH, Ga, Jan. 8.
~ w. Esq, - County, Ga:
DEAR SIR: Yours of the Sd inst, is received
and in answer to your enquiries, beg to state
am merely 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 Con-
gress when Georgia is again represented there
as of old.
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
it 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 Insurrection, ard like principle
seemed to be recognized at the time of the Burr
conspiracy.
AS to the Union of the States under our Gov
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, 1.-THE Federal Union, it must
and shall be preserved" Certainly Georgians
cannot question the authority of such men. and
mt xuhO 81
DIV 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 it 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 omen
to the people of Georgia. =
My opinion is that no negotiations ore No
cessary, nor commissioners, nor conventions.
nor any thing of the kind Whenever the peo.
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. ~
These are merely my opinions but IN coufir-
nation OF them, as think, the people of
Georgia imay well consider the Following
words referring to the people of the rebel.
hous States, which quote from the recent an.
nuai message of President Lincoln to Con-
grees at Its present eession. I. 20 n.'teIg.
They can at any time have peace simply
by laying down their arms and submitting to
the national authority under the Constitution.
After 30 much, the Government would not, II
It could, maintain war against them. The
loyal people would not sustain or allow II. II
questions should remain, we would sdiust
them by the peaceful means Of legislation, con
florence, courts and votes. Operating only In
constitutional and lawful channels, some Ger
tain and other possible questions are and would
be beyond Executive power to adjust. as, for
instance the admission Of members into Con.
gress, aud Whatever might require the appro-
priation Of money. j.rs - .
Tho President then alludes to the genefal
pardon and amnesty offered for more than .
year past, upon specified and more liberal
terms, to all except certain designated classes.
even these being 'Stnl within Contemplation Of
special elemeucy, and adds: lE u
= It II 90 open t0ar, bat the time may como
when public duty shall demand thse Is Do
closed. and that In lien more vigorous meas
ures than heretofore shaI be adopted.
IL seems 70 me that It Il time for the people
Of Georgia 10 oct for themselves. and zreeurr1
b tina to their duty TO the government q
Respectfully, your obedient eesy.at s1
~ r. GHERGAN Haf. Gen.