The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-10-02
Letter from Gen. ROSccranS-

General Roscci'ahs being unable to at
tend the late Grand Democratic Dem
onstration i'll Indiana, sent the follow
ing letter in rcplyto the Committee of
Invitation. We want every little radi-
cal editor in Tennessee to read it, and
tell their half dozen subscribers wheth-
err Rosecrans is "Rcbcl."
ST. MARTIN, Brown COUNTY, Omo)
L. LAj tt' Z September 81. 1868. {
Gen. John Love. indianapolis, Indiana:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS duties pre-
vent me from attending the gathering
of officers and soldiers ut INDIANAPOLIS.
to which your letter invited me on the
ODD inst.
But beyond the great qualification
should experience in meeting so many
of my old companions in arms, anl
mingling our memories of the past with
resolutions of future efforts and sacri-
fees for the honor of the land and flar
we love. my presence there would ac-
compiish little more than IL simple state
ment of my views on the chief issues
which now agitatc the country.
! believe our free institutions and
highest material interests are in grave
peril. | shall, therefore, perform a
solemn and responsible duty to my fell
low soldiers and countrymen. who love
this nation more than party, by stating
what think the most vital issues be-
fore the public in the approaching
Presidential election.
Above all other questions-cXpendi-
lures. taxation, bonds, "greenbacks, or
| n nv Hmm, Al ia, In ~,
the people of the Southern States to
hopeful, cheerful selt-governmcnt.
Restore them this. and as certainly as
day follows the sun our political sta
bility will be assured; our financial
prosperity will speedily follow: our
public securities will become par; coin
and currency accounts, with all their
evils and complications, will disappear
from the books of our business men.
Believing with all my soul. that the
preservation of our Government from
despotic changes, and all the estlmable
blessings depends upon the restoration
of the Southern people to wholesome
cheerful elf-government, am equally
certain that it can he done, and dare
pledge my honor and life for them that
they will give and observe all proper
guarantee to renouncc secession. slavery
and their dependent issues: to protect
educate the freedmen to the exercise Of
all the franchise they enjoy in Ohio, In
diana or Illinois and faithfully to per-
form all the duties incumbent on them
us good citizens under the Constitution
and laws of the United States.
| And what more could be asked of
them, or what greater results could pat
riotsm desire for the country than de-
pend upon this issue?
Not even the prosecution of the war
challenged more thorough renuncia-
ton of party preferences and personal
dislikes on the altar Of our country than
does the attainment Of this great good.
The desolate and ruined South, the
oppressed taxpayer of the West and
North, generosity, mercy, love Of coun-
try. apprehensiOns 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 stop
that hopeless folly OF attcmptingu to
govern the Southern States by 'wh,tt we
call ''loyal blacks" and give the people,
underjust guarantees. the right, peace
| fully and Legally. to proceed to organize
their own Government within the Union
With such convictions, hold the man
who would not express and act upon
| them II traitor to himself and his coun-
try. and despise the partisan who would
find fault with any reasonable steps he
might take to bring about so great 4
good to the nation.
Commenting my convictions, and the
reasons for them, to the judgment
of my fellow-sodcrs and countrymen,
| remain, Very truly. yours,
w. s. RnsECRANs.