New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-09-26
Ex.CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS.
Letter to Carl echurz-His Respon,,

AACSPVAAOSe
NASHVILLE, September 2l-The speech
souri,, Wednesday, has created profound
impression in political circles. The mos,
significant incident connected with it is the
; following letter, formally addressed to Sen
ator Scburz, and signed by several hundred
ex.confederate soldiers, embracing every
grade and rank of the late rebel service
from private and non-commissined officer
up to major general. The signers, gener
ally, are representative men Of influence.
NASHVILLE, September p, 1871.
To Hon. Carl SchurE
DEAR Sieve, the undersigned, formerly
Confederate soldiers, wish to express to YOU
our high regard for yourself, and our pro.
found regard and admiration of the un.
selfish, non-partisan. cultured and patriotic
address delivered by You III 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 are no partisans;
that we have q faith that no words can ex-
press in the sublime significance of the mis-
zion and destiny of the American republic;
that we honor and revere the national flag
as the assured herald of that day when all
tons. will be redeemed and delivered from
all species Of political and mental thraldom.
We wish to turn our backs upon all Sec
tional parties, and al parties cropping in the
moonlight Of the past, and to ally ourselves
with any party that will be animated with
the spirit of civil and religious liberation,
broad and elevated patriotism, un5ounded
BY State lines, and inspired with an abiding
faith in the genius of free institutions.
Senator Schurz' reply il % follows:
MAxw.LL House NAsEv1ILs,l
September %, 1871.
Gentlemen-I have received your letter.
and without atfectation I may say that l
can not find words strong enough to de-
scribe the joy it has given me. The
spontaneous expressions Of such senti-
ments as your letter contains. coming from
you, as late soldiers Of the confederate
army, may well be called an event of great
When your former comrades, as you do
now, rally once more around the flag Of
the American republic as the symbol Of
universal freedom, equal rights and con-
stitutiOnal government, when they declare
that they will turn their backs upon all
parties "groping in the moonlight of the
past" and discountenance that partisan
son and blunt the best moral impulses of the
human heart; when they once more fully
recognise the identity of their true in
terests with those of our great common
country, then every patriotic citizen will
feel that the regeneration Of the South is
certain to be accomplished by her own
people. If there is still lurking here and
there spirit which keeps alive feelings of
anim0sity and distrust, which by means of
lence strives to impede the development of
free public opinion. you can render it
harmless by your influence and example
1t there are still disturbances Of the peace
and order of society occurring, calculated
to produce the impression that the property
and the rights Of the citizens can be suffi-
GENTLY projected only by the interference
OF the general government il your: local
concern. you can dispel that impression by !
devoting your energies to the enforcement |
OF the laws, thus proving the capacity |
of local self.government to accom-. |
plish its legitimate ends here as well |
as elsewhere; if there is still an apprehen- |
sion as to secret design to subvert the |
logical and legitimate results Of the war by |
reactionary, movements. you will remove
that apprehension by demonstrating that |
the young South has risen above old preiu-
dices and absolute aspirations, and is deter
mined to build up again the prosperity and
power OF these States on basis, in har.
mony with the progressive spirit Of the age;
men OF courage and convictions like YOU
will do nothing by halves, they will not
look back when they put their hands to the
plOw, and assure you your Efforts will |
have the sincerest appreciation, hearty ap-
plause and energetic support Of every true
friend Of liberty and tree institutions: your
rights will be safe in the security of the
rights Of all. Your power will be strong IN
the restoration Of the brotherhood of all
Americans. and the republic will be proud
of all her sons.
am. gentlemen. with fraternal greeting,
your friend and fellow citizen,
q SCHI,PZ