The New Orleans crescent., 1868-10-09
Letter from Gen. Roseerans to . Convention
Of his Ord Companions In Arms.


Among the responses to invitations to attend
by soldiers of the old army of the Cumberland
last week, was the following from Gen. Rose
crans:
GEN. RosEcRASs LETTER.
ST.. MARTINS, BROWNS County. 0HIo,
ua September 81, 1865.
Gen. John Love. Indianapolis Indiana
Gtnral-Indspensabl duties prevent me from
attending the gathering Of officers and soldiers at
Indianapolis, to which your letter invited me on
the 23d inst. But beyond the great qualification I
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
anu sscr,ness ips .ne nonSr ol .ne sa.u ana nag
little more than q simple statement Of my views
on the chief issues which now agitate the country.
believe our free institutions and highest material
interests in grave peril. sball therefore, per-
form solemn and responsible duty to my fellow
soldiers and countrymen, who love this nation
more than party, by stating what think the most
vital issues before the public in the approaching
presidential election.
Above all other questions-expenditures taxa
tions, bonds, greenbscks," )" or anything else
stands that Of restoring the people Of the Southern
States to hopeful, cheerful seif.government. ke-
store them this, and as certainly as the day fol-
lows the sun our political stability will be as
sured our financial prosperity will speedily fol-
low /; the value OF property In the South will in
crease; our public securities will 90 at premium
our greenbacks will become par coin and cur
rency accounts, with all their evils and complcs-
tions, will disappear from the books of our busi-
ness men. Believing, with ell my soul, that the
preservation OF our government from despotic
changes, and all these inestimable blessings de-
pend upon the restoration Of the Southern people
to wholesome, cheerful self government, am
equally certain that 1t can be done, and dare
Hedge my honor and life for them that they will
give and observe all proper guarantees to renounce
secession, slavery, and their dependent issues, to
protect. educate and elevate the freedmen to ex-
ercise ell the franchise they enjoy in Ohio, In
diana and Illinois; and faithfully to perform all
the duties incumbent upon them as good citizens
under the Constitution and laws of the United
States. And what more could be asked Of them.
or what greater result could patriotism desire for
the country than depend upon this issue?
Not even the prosecution Of the war challenged
q more thorough renunciaton of party prefer.
ences and personal dislike on the altar of our
country than does the attainment of this great
good. The desolate aud ruined South, the op-
pressed Taxpayers of the West and North, gene
rosity, mercy, love OF country, apprehensions Of
evil 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
attempting TO govern the Southern States by what
we call "loya blscks.n and give the people under
just guarantees the right, peacefully and legally,
TO proceed TO recognize their own government
within the Union. With such convictions hold
the man who would not express and act upon
them a traitor to himself and to his country, and
despise the partisan who woud find fault with
any reasonable steps he might take to bring about
so great good TO the nation. Commending my
convictions and the reasons for them, to the judg
ment of my fellow soldiers and cOuntrymen, I
remain very truly yours, w. s. RosEcRASs.