The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-09-26
8itl1mtond 1ispatfll,
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. GO, 1871.
THE CIRCULATION OF THE DISPATCH
IS LARGER THAN THE CONFINED CIR
CULATION OF ALL THE OTHER DAILY
NEWSPAPERS OF THE CITY.


NASHVILLE, Sept. 23.-The speech dcltv-
cred by Hon. Carl Schnrz, OF Missouri, on
Wednesday, has created profound I'm.
preston In political circles. The most sig
nfcant incident connected with it is tho
following letter formally addressed to Sena-
tor Schurz. and signed by several hundred
Confederate soldiers, embracing every
grade and rank OF the late rebel service
from privates and nOn-eommisSioned Of
ticers up to major-generals. The sisners
generally are representative men OF infiu-
ence in the community
"NAsHvrLLE, Sept. 81, 1871.
Hon. Gail !Schurz:
Dear Sir,-We, the undersigned, for
merly Confederate soldiers, wish TO express
to you our high regard for yourself, and
our profound regard and admiration OF the
unselhsh, non. partisan, cultured, and pa.
triotic address delivered by you in this city.
We admire the manly, independent spirit
which refuses obedience to party when in
conflict with ones convictions Of duty and
right. We pledge you that We arc no par
tisanS; that we have faith that no words
can express in the sublime significance OF
the mission and destiny Of the American
republic that we honor tho national flag
Ms luG ItSSuICu VI Iuae utS !" hSh VIZ
races of men of all ranks and conditions will
be redeemed and delivered from all species
Of political and mental thraldom. We wish
to turn our back ON all sectional parties
and all parties cropping In the moonlight o
the past, and to ally oul selves with any
party that will be animated with the spirit
Of civil and religious liberation, and broad
and elevated patriotism. not bounded BY
State lines, but inspired with an abiding
faith in the genius of free institutions"
REPLY OF SENATOR scHURz.
The following is Senator schurz's reply
to the ex-Confederate soldiers letter:
IHarueN House, Nashville, Sept. 23.-
Gentlemen: / have received your letter land
without affectation may say that cannot
find words strong enough to describe the
Joy it has given me. Spontaneous expires.
sions of such sentiments as your letter con.
tanS. coming from you as late soldiers o.
the Confederate army, may we'll be called
an event of great significance of our days.
When your former comrades as we'll az
YOU do now rally around the flag Of the
American Republic as the symbol Of uni.
versal freedom, equal rights, and constitu'
| tional government; when they declare that
they will turn their backs on all parties
cropping in the moonlight Of the past, and
discountensnce that partisan spirit which
is so apt to obscure the human reason and
blunt the best impulses of the heart ; " hen
they once more recognize the identity ol
their true interests with those Of our great
common country, then every patriotic citi
zen will feel that tue recognition of the
South is certain to be accomplished by hel
own people.
If there is still lurking here and there q
spirit which keeps feelings of animoSity
and distruSt, and which, by means of so.
cial prescription, or intimidation, or vic.
lence, strives to impede the development ol
free public opinion, YOU can render il
harmless by your influence and example
| If there are still disturbances of peace and
order of society occurring calculated to
| produce the impression that the rights o
citizens can be sufficiently protected only
| by the interference Of the General Govern.
ment in your local concerns, you can dispel
that impression by devoting your energies
| to the enforcement OF the laws, thus prov.
inc the capacity of self-government here as
we'll as elsewhere. IT there is still an ap.
prehension as to sect designed to Subvert
! the loyal government, and by reactionary
movements, you will remove the apprehen
sion by demonstrating that the young South
has risen above old prejudces and old ob.
solete practices, and is determined to build
| up again the prosperity and power Of these
States on basis in harmony with the pro.
gres>ive spirit OF the age. ...
Men of courage and conviction, like YOU,
will do nothing by halves; they will not
look back when they have put their hands
to the plow. 1 assure you that your efforts
will have the sincerest appreciation, hearty
applause, and energetic support of every
true friend of liberty and free institutions.
Your rights will he the security of the
rights of all, your power will be strong in
the restored brotherhood Of all Americans,
and the republic be proud of all her sons"