The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1868-10-24
Gen ROsecrans to Gen JnO. Love.
Gen Jno. Lore, Indianapolis, Ind i:

Gen. JHo. Lore, Indianapolis Ind
GENERAL: Indispensable duties prevent
me from attending the gathering Of officers
and soldiers at Indianapolis to which YOUR
letter invites me on the 23d inst.
But beyond the great qualification ]
should experience IN meeting so many Of
my old companions in arms, and mingling
our memories Of the past with resolutions
of the future efforts and sacrifices for the
honor Of the land and flag we love, my pres
ence there would accomplish little more
than a simple statement of my views on the
chief topics which now agitate the country.
/ believe our free Institutions and highest
material interests are in grave peril I
should therefore perform a solemn and re
sponsible duty to my fellow soldiers and
countrymen who love this nation more than
party, by stating what l think the most
vital issues before the public in the APP
preaching Presidential election.
Above all other issues-expend:turcs
taxation, bonds, greenbacks," or anything
else, stands that Of restoring the people Of
tile Southern States to Hopeful cheerful, SELF
government
Restore them this, and as certainly as day
follows the sun, our political stability will
be secured our financial prosperity will
speedily follow; the value Of property IN the
South viii increase; our public securities
will 60 to a premium; our greenbacks will
become par; separate cash accounts for coin
and currency, with all their evils and com
phcations, viii disappear from the books of
our business men.
Believing with ell my soul, that the pre-
serTatlon Of our Government from despotic
changes, and all these inestimable blessings
depend upon this restoration of the Southern
people to wholesome, cheerful, self govern
ment, L am equally certain that 1t can be
done, and dare pledge my honor and life for
them that they Will give and observe all
proper guarantees to renounce secession
slavery, and their dependent issues; to pro
tect, educate and elevate the freedmen to
the exercise of all the franchises they enjoy
IN Ohio, Indiana or Illinois; and faithfully
perform all the duties incumbent on them
as good citizens under the Constitution and
laws Of the United States
And what more could be asked Of them
or what greater results could patriotism de-
sire for the country than depend upon this
issue?
Not even the prosecution Of the war
challenged more thorough remuneration Of
party preferences and personal dislikes on
the altar Of our country than does the at
tainment Of this great good
The desOlate and ruined South the Op-
pressed tax payers in the West and North,
generosity, mercy, love Of country appre-
tensions of evils to come, every motive that
ought to move the hearts of true and noble
men, appeal to us to say by our votes we will
stay that hopeless folly of attempting to
govern the Southern States by what we
call loyal blacks, and gives. the people
under just guarantees the right, peacefully
and legally, to proceed to reorganize their
own governments within the Union.
With such convictions | hold the man
ypb n. NOT n
traitor to himself and his country, and de-
spise tine partisian who would find fault with
any reasonable steps he might take to bring
about so great a good to the nation. Com
mending my convictions, and the reasons
fer them, to the Judgment of my fellow sol
diers and countrymen, remain, very truly,
yours, w. ;. ROsECRANs.