Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-09-26
Senator Schurz

We publish this morning the reply OF
Senator Schurz to the letter of certain ci
our citizens which we published in Sun.
days issue. We are informed that it was
by mistake not sent to us. We were not
aware Of its existence until we saw it In
the BGaRer Sunday morning.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Sept. 20, 1S71.-F.
T. Reld, Geo. z Purvis, Heill s. Brown,
jr., I NJ Steger, Ed. Baxter, and many
others Gentlemen-I have received youf
letter, and without. sffecta.ion I may
say that cannot find words strong
enough 10 describe the joy 1t has given
me. The spontaneous expression of
such sentiments ss your letter contains,
coming from you as late soldiers of the
Confederate army, may well be called an
event Cf great significance in the history of
our days When your former comrades, as
you do now, rally once more around the
flag Of the American Republic as the SYM
bol Of universal freedom, equal rights and
constitutional government; when they de-
clare that they will turn their backs upon
all parties ''groping in the moonlight Of
the past" and discountenance that parti-
san spirit which is SO apt to obscure hu-
men reason and to blast 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
common country, then every patriotic citi-
zen will feel that the regeneration Of the
South is certain to be accomplished by her
own people.
II there is still lurking here and there
spirit which keeps alive feelings of ami
mostly and 6istrust, and which, by m cans
of social prescription or intimidation or
violence strives to impede the develop.
meut of a free public opinion, you can
render it harmless by your influence and
example
II there are still disturbances OF the
pesse and order of society occurring, cal
culRted TO produce the impression that the
security and the rights of citizens can be
sufficiently protected only by the inter-
ference of the General Government In
your local concerns, you can dispel that
impression by devoting your energies to
the enforcement of the laws, thus proving
the capacity of local seif-government to
accomplish its legitimate ED here as well
as elsewhere.
II there is still an apprehension as to
secret design to subvert the logical and
legitimate results of the war by reactionary
nONcmouIe, you Will ISuuOfo luhb dppE6
hension by demonstrating that the y0uR o
South has risen above old prejudices aud
obsolete aspirations, and is determined to
build up again the prosperity and power
of these States on basis in harmony with
the progressive spilit Cf the age. Men of
courage aud convictions like you Will do
nothing by halves; they will not look back
when they have put their hands to the
pillow, and / assure you your efforts will
have the sincerest appreciation, hearty
applause and energetic support of every
true friend of liberty and free institutions
Your rights will be safe in the security of
the rights of all. Your power will be
strong in the restored brotherhood of all
Americans, and the Republic will be proud
of all her sons.
ann, gentlemen, with fraternal greeting,
your friend and fellow-citizsn.
- G. SCHURz.