The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1871-10-07
EX-CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS.
Letter to Carl SchurZ-His Response,

Nashville, September 2l.- Tht
speech delivered by the Hon. Car
Schurz, of Missouri, Wednesday, has
created a profond impression in ro
litical circles. The most significant
incident connected with it is the fol
lowing letter, formally addressed II
Senator Schurz, and signed by sey
cl'al hundred ex-contederate soldiers
embracing every grade and rank o1
the late rebel service, from private
and non commissioned officer up tt
major general. The signers, generally
are representative men Of influence
Nashville, Sept. %, 1871.
To Hon. Carl Schulz
Dear Sir-Wc, the undersigned.
formerly Confederate soldiers, wish
to express to you our high regard fol
yourself, and our profound regard
and admiration Of the unseltish, non
partisan, cultured and patriotic ad,
dress 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 are no partisans ;
that we have a faith that no words
can express in the sublime signiti-
cance of the mission and destiny OF
the American republic that we
honor and revere the national flag as
the assured herald Of that day when
all the races of men, of all ranks and
conditions, will be redeemed and de-
livered from all species of political
and mental thraldom. We wish to
turn our backs upon all sectional
parties, and all 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, unbounded
by State lines, and inspired with an
abiding faith in the genius Of free
institutions.
Senator schurz's reply is as follows:
Maxwell House, Nashville, !
September %, 1871. {
Gentlemen-I have received your
letter, and without affectatiol [ may
say that I can not find words strong
enough to describe the Joy it has
given me. The spontaneous express
sions Of such sentiments as your let
ter contains, coming from you, as
late soldiers of TIE confederate army,
may we'll be called an event of great
significance in the history of our
days. When your former comrades,
as you do now, rally once more aror al
the flag Of the American republic as
the symbol of 1,nive sal freedom,
equal rights and constitutional gov.
ernment, when they declare that
they will turn their backs upon all
parties " cropping in the moonlight
of the past,' and discountenance
that partisan spirit which is so apt
to obscure human reason and blunt
the best moral impulses of the human
heart; when they once more fully
recognize the identity of their true
interests with those Of our great com
mon country, then every patriotic
citizen viii feel that the regeneration
of the South is certain to be accom-.
plished by her own people. IF there
is still lurking here and there a spirit
which keeps alive feelings of amino.
sity and distrust, which by means OF
social prescription or intimidation OF
violence strives to impede the deve.
lopment of a free public opinion. you
can render it harmless by your in.
f1uence and example. IF there are
still disturbances of the peace and
order of society occurring, calculat-
ed to produce the impression that
the property and the rights of the
citizens can be sufficiently protected
only by the interference of the gen.
eral government in your local con.
Germ, you can dispel that impression
by devoting your energies to the en-.
forcement of the law, thus proving
the eapa city of local self.government
to accomplishits legitimate ends here
as we'll as elsewhere; if there is still
an apprehension 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
prejudices and absolute aspirations
and is determined to build up again
the prosperity and power Of these
States on basis, in harmony 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 SINGER
est appreciation, hearty applause
and energetic support of every true
friend of liberty and free institu
tions; your rights will be safe in tht
security of the rights of all. You1
power will be strong in the restora
ton of the brotherhood of all Amer
leans, and the republic will be PROUD
of all her sons.
I am, gentlemen, with fratcrna
greeting, your friend and fellow
citizen, c. SCHURZ.
] ---~~~-~-~-~@r,>~---~~-~
DUTIES OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. tt
neglect an opportunity of interfering
between man and wife.
| Never, on any account, to ALLOW
lovers to settle their own quarrels,