Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-10-01
A grand Letter from General Ro-
secrans. rr..
ST. MARTINS, BROWN COUNTY, OHIo,l
rE ~ September 81, 1868.

secrans. .=.'frr..
ST. MARTINS, BROWN COUNTY, OHIO,
r. 0- September 81, 1868.
General John Loue, indianapolis, Indiana:
GENERAL: Indispensable duties prevent
me from attending the gathering OF
officers and soldiers at Indianapolis to
which your letter invite me on the 23d in
slant. aag I-aa Zi- Nt..-E ~.
But beyond the great qualification 1
shall 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
presence there would accomplish little
more than simple statement of my views
on the chief issues which now agitate the
country.
l believe our free institutions and highest
material interests are in grave peril. ]
should therefore perform 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 vi
tai issues before the public in the approach
ing Presidential election
Above all other issues--expenditures
taxation, bonds. "greenbacks," or anything
else, stands that of restoring the people of the
Southern States to hopeful, cheerful, seu-gou.
ernnaent.
Restore them this, and as certainly as
day follows the sun, our political stability
will be assured; our financial prosperity
will spee edily follow; the value of property
in the South will increase; our public Sc
curities will go to premium; our green
back will become par; separate cash ac
counts for coin and currency, with all their
evils and complication will disappear fir, m
the books of our business men.
Believing, with all my soul, that the
preservation of our Government from des-
potic changes, and all these inestimable
blessings depend upon this restoration OF
the Southern people to wholesome, cheer
full self government, am equally certain
that 1T can be done, and dare pledge my
honor and life tor them that they will give
and observe all proper guarantees to re-
nounce secession, slavery, and their de-
pendent issues; to protect, educate and
elevate the freedmen to the exercise of all
the franchises they enjoy in Ohio, Indiana
Or Illinois; and faithfully to perform all the
duties incumbent on them as good citizens
under the Constitution and laws of the
United Stare,. F
And what more could be asked of them,
or what greater results could patriotism
desire for the country than depend upon
this issue? F 'H"
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
attainment of this great good. 4
The desolate and ruined South. the op-
pressed tax payers of the West aud North.
generosity, mercy, love of country, appre-
hension g, lis to come every motive that
ought to move the hearts of true and no.
BILE men, appeal to us to say by our votes
we will stop that hopeless folly of attempt
ing to govern the Southern States by what
we call "loyal blacks" and give 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
who would not express and act upon them
traitor to himself and his country, and
despise the partisan who would find fault
with any reasonable steps he might take to
bring about SO great good to, to the Nation.
reasons for them, to the judgment of nv
fellow soldiers and countrymen, remain,
Very truly, yours,
WIS. RosECRANs.