The Lincoln County herald., 1868-10-08
Letter fron Gen. Resecraus.

Among the responses to invitations ia
attend the mass meeting in Indianapolis
participated in by soldiers Of tho old
Army ofthe Cumberland, last week, was
the following from Gen. Rosecrans:
ST. MARTINS, BRowN Co., ONO, !
September 81, 1868. I
GEN. JonN LOVE. indianapolis, Ind:
GENERAL: indispensable duties pro
vent me from attending the gathering Of
officers aud soldiers at indianapolis, to
which your letter invited the on the 23d
inst. But beyond the great qualification
I should experience in meeting 70 many
Of my old companions in arms, and ming
ling our memories of the past with rcso.
lutions Of tho future efforts and sacrifices
for tho honor Of the land and Gag We
love. my presence there would accomplish
little more than simple statement Of my
views on the chief issues which now agi.
tate the country. I believe our free in
stitutions and highest material interests
arc in grave peril. I shall. therefore,
perform solemn an responsible duty to
my fellow soldiers and couutrymen, who
love this nation more than party. by sta.
ting what I think the most vital issues
before tho public in the approaching Pres
idential election. Above all other ques.
tions-expcnditures, taxa,ions, bonds.
"grecnbacks," or anything else--stands
that of restoring the people Of ths South.
crn States to hopeful, cheerful selfgov.
crnmcnt. Restore them this. and as Ger.
tainly as the day follows the sun our
political stability will be assured; our
financial prosperity will speedily follow I;
the value Of property in the South will
increase our public securities will 90 at
premium; our greenbacks will become
par; coin and currency accounts, with all
their evils and complications, will disap
pear from the books Of our business men
Believing, with all my soul, that the pro.
servation Of our government from des
potic charges, and all these inestimable
blessings depend upon the restoration Of
the Southern people to wholesome, cheer
full self government, I am equally Ger.
tain that it can he done, and dare pledge
my honor and life for them that they
will give and observe all proper guaran
tees to renouncc secession, slavery, and
their dependent issues, to protect, educate
and elevate the freedmen to exercise all
the franchise they enjoy in Ohio, Indi-
ana and Illinois and faithfully to per
form 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 result could patriotism desire for
the country than depend upon this issue
Not even the prosecution of the war chal
lcnged a more thorough remuneration o
party preferences and personal dislike on
the altar Of our country than does tho
attainment Of this great good. The des
olate and ruined South, the oppressed
tax. payers of tho West and North, gener
erosity, mercy love OF country. apprehen
sions Of evils to come, every motive that
ought to move the hearts of true and no
bic men, appeal to US to say by our vote:
we will stop that hopeless folly ofattempt
ing to govern the Southern States by wha
we call "loyal blacks" and give the peo
pie under just guarantees the right, peace
fully aud legally to proceed to recognize
their own Government within the Union
With such convictions hold the maj
who would not express and act upon then
q traitor to himself and to his country, on,
despisc tho partisan who would find faul
with any reasonable steps he might taxi
to bring about so great good to the na
ton. Commendina my convictions, an,
the reasons for Them. to the judgment 0
my fellow soldiers and countrymen,
remain very truly yours,
w. s. RosEcRANs.