The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-07-20
NUMBER 2l.


Letter OF Gen. ROSecram6 TO the
Soldiers and Sailors Convention
I'm IS6S. - -
EDITOR OF Ono STATESMAN Please
publish the following noble letter from
General.William S. Rosecrans,and oblige
many delegates to the Democratic. State
Convention: saiag 4
ST. MARTINS. Brown COUNTY O..
September 21st, 1868.
General Jno Lore Indianapolis:
ERAI:-Indispensible duties pre-
vent me from attending the gathering of.
officers and soldiers at Indianapolis, to-
which your letter invites me on the 23d
inst H4f est
But beyond the great qualification I
shall experience III meeting SO many OF
my old companions in arms, and ming.
ling our memories Of the past with reso-
luton of future efforts and sacrifices for
the honor of the land and the flag We.
love my presence there would accom-
plish little More than q simple statement
of my views on the chief issues which
now agitate the country l believe our
free institutions and highest material in.
terests are in great peril. I should, there
fore, perform a solemn and responsible
duty to my fellow soldiers and country
men who love this nation more than par
ty, by stating what l think the most
vital issue before the people in the ap
preaching Presidential election.
Above all other issues expenditures,
taxation, bonds, "grccnbacks,' or any
thing else-stands that of restoring the
people of the Southern States to hopeful
cheerful self-goyernment.
Restore them this and as certainly as
day follows the even, our political stabil-
ity will be assured, our financial prosper
ity will speedily follow, the value of prop.
erty in the South will increase; our pub
lie securities will 60 to premium, our
greenbacks will become par; separate
cash accounts for coin and currency,
with all their evils, and complications
will disappear from the books of our
business men. ,ya,
Believing with all my soul that the
preservation of our Government from
despotic changes, and all these innumer-
able blessings, depends upon this rcstor-
alton of the Southern people to whole,
some, cheerful self government, / am
equally certain that it 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 dependant issues, and
to protected, educate and elevate the freed
men to the exercise of all the franchises
they enjoy in Ohio, Indiana, and Hin.
ois, and faithfully 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 results could patriot
ism desire for the country than depend
upon this issue. Not even the prosecu-
ton of the war challenged more
thorough renunciation of party prefer.
ences and personal dislikes on the altar
of the country, than does. the attainment
of this great good. -
The desolate and ruiaed South, the op--
pressed tax payers of the West and North
generosity, mercy, love of country, ap-
prehension of evils to come, every mo-
tive that ought to move the hearts of
true and noble men, appeal to us to say
by our votes that we will stop that hope
less folly of attempting to govern the
Southern States by what are called ssloy,
al blacks" and give the people, under.
just guarantees, the right peacefully and
legally to reorganize their own govern
ments within the Union. oiH isH'
With such convictions, hold the man
who would not express and act upon
them, q traitor to himself and his coun.
try, and despise the PARTISAN who would
find fault with any reasonable steps lie
might take TO accomplish such great
good to the nation : 3H sr >,aaN
Commencing my convictions and the
reasons for them, to the Judgment OF my
fellow soldiers and countrymen l re-
main H f"f 3f, ~ ia3'u.
Very truly, yours, ba'. a7.- ss3
w. S. RosEcRANs