New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-09-21
THE SOUTH
AN Ex.REBEL OFFICERS OPINION OF THE LOYALTY"
OF THB PEOPLE.

AN Ex.REBEL OFFICERS OPINION OF THE LOYALTY"
OF THE PEOPLE
The following letter from a distinguished officer Of the
Rebel army was read by the Hon. j. NJ Bolts atthe Union
meeting at Paterson n. j., on Wednesday evening:
agree with YOU that something ought to be done TO re-
store the States their beun condition and Willingly
confess have been able theoretically 10 TX upon any pah
that satisfactory to myself .. 49,, e....
IL is evident that any attempt TO reconstruct the states
lately in rebellion by who just as hostile TO the Federal
Union now as they wee al any stage Of the past fearful srng
gle and who will have the same means oil ulags.B tne ne
tngencies may suggest is emiueny uDnst the suffering
masses dangerous the safety of the Government
impossible describe the deepseaed ana lnplacaO
hatred with which the socaed leaders in the south regard
the Uron and everything appertanlng 10 H. ~ Is %
shifting from disappointed hopes and the o.
schemes and is much the feeling the thei
who has broken into rich magazine OF wealth where nc
loaded himself with the stolen treasure ana Is ABOUT
ing escape when policeman steps up and taxes he oW
into custody looks upon the officer and all the agencies
used in bis detection as his mortal enemies ana no e OF c
cumstances obterate the undyng luminosity Oh the ue
Nothing reconciles these political charaans Of the South 70
residence under the protecting folds OF the banner OF the
Union, but the fast growing nope tn' my i OT
into power and be able TO Wreak terrDIe 'enseanGe
upon all those who in any manner assisted IN thet
downfall / have heard this feeling expressed by
the Pickering camp fires have heard IL IN Tue eelto
rial sancum and around the social circle ana know rom
personal observation and things that 1t would be dan
gerons nay it would be suicidal " Congress 10 restore nee
men 70 place and power. viii oppose It while nave any
Of successful resistance ana ghen a nope Is sone
the outrageous deed contaminated VIII sell my properly
aud leave the country - ----- -
will doubtless think TINS strange
one who held high rank the Rebel army VIII not stop
detail the by which was induced 20 take seI
ice against my judgment and all the convictions when
some years Of close pcaton 10 the study OF politics han
forced upon ny mind The influence OF relations and iends
il not always TO be resisted have ceased TO repent
the unfortunate deed.
am an unconditional Union and take great pleasure
informing that many OF the same pattern IN my
adjoining counties who generally ndsposed need
esy to ayow their sentiments thus draw down upon them
selves the concentrated wrath Of those who have IN ther
power them immense injury bat let the time come W1en
those men win be called upon To take sides for against the
Union and YOU viii find thousands Of those who followed the
Rebel flag victory many well fought hel1 WIZ range
themselves uner tho Stars Stripes and the Union and the
Constitution will be their shibboleth.
The Rebel aders sadly mistaken II they suppose tny
can bnv the rank and file into another onslaught upon the
Government They satisfied with the Government Pc
fore the war; they satisfied with II now and AL they ask
n 10 be permitted 10 labor for their support in peace.
Tie masses all right and the only thing the hoyerneh
need TO its safety and perpetuy Is 10 FORBID the
leading politicians and officers Of the South, both cYll ana
military holding any office whatever either state
or Federal.