National Republican., 1882-12-18

inasmuch as sundry and divers persons
have recently been giving their opinions with
reference to the restoration of Fitz-J ohm Porter
thereby attempting to influence public opin-
ion, 1t may not be entirely out of place to give
the expressions of a few among the hundreds
at hand of the old soldiers scattered through
out the country. With this view, REPuB-
LIcAN reporter called upon Senator Logan to
obtain il possible, some of the many letters
upon that subject by him received. This
having been assented to, cord more or less)
of letters were produced, from which, as being
among the most recent, the following are copied
GRAND RAPIDS, MIcH.-JoHN A. LoeAS UNITED
STATES SENATE, Generdt:-By your mastery re-
in the Chicago Tribune OF the 26th November you
have earned the thanks of every loyal citizen of
this republic. Yours, GEORGE G. BRIGGS.
CHICAGO, ILL.-Sir II have read with pleasure
your reply to General Grants article in the North
American Repet0, and cannot resist the temptation
to thank you for the stand taken in this matter
aud adhered to. Yours, q. q. MERRICK.
NoRTHwoop, IowA-Str Lots or Iowa boys in.
dorse most heartily your review of Gen. Grants
dense Of Porter SIDNEY A. FOSTER.
CANANDAIGuA, N Y.-Sir ALLOW me to say to
you am very much pleased with your letter in
reply to Geh. Grants presume have talked
with at least 900 of our old comrades Of the late
yet to find Single soldier who has not and does
not concur with YOU in every word you have said,
done, or uttered against the conduct of this man,
Fitz-John Porter. Porter has been branded. not
as he should have been, but with stain such
time will never rub of, aud the more he stirs it
DETROIT, MIcH.-Sir:-The restoration of Porter
viii be an outrage upon those who survived the
sHELByvILLE, ILL., General II read Gen.
Grants remarkable article on Porter and your
mastery reply, and want to commend you for it,
The people believe Porter traitor; that he let
Popes army be butchered within his hearing and
that he did 1t out of pique and small Jealousy.
The volunteer army are with you and so are those
who anxiously looked on in those days. 49,.
GEORGE d. CHAFEB
ELIZABETH, N. J-Sir:-In August 1862, near
Manassas, when, If Gen. Pope had been aided, as
aided him even to Tie shedding of his own life's
blood. Gen. Lee would have been defeated ahd
driven back. GEORGE B. HALsTEAD
BLooMISGToM, ILL.-Generdt Again wish to
add my testimonial to you for the manly stand you
Porter, when to do you have to oppose the opin-
ions of those with whom you have been closely
connected in military as well as in civic career
AMOS KEMP.
TRANsiT OHIo.-Sir ALLOW me to congratulate
you upon your timely and complete answer to
Gen. Grants apology for Gen. Porter. 1t was op-
perfume aud just, aud bares the threads Of shame
ful act. NJ, PINNEY.
wing Members 6s h eSp wsb q q sa
you for your letter of the 23d published in the
Chicago Tribune earnestly hope that not IT, only al
all remaining members OF Porter's corps, but oil
honorable soldiers, will add their thanks
NJ. T. SMITH. lst Mich. regt.
HANNIBAL Mo.-Sir Am barely able TO write
at all, but having heard OF your recent letter de-
Tending your position on the Porter case, and re-
a,rl, nt,n nf kaoa nf tl,a
old commander ] only wish TO thank you, as
have before, for the earnest and able manner in
which you have defended the findings of the court
martial. w. +. CHAMBERLAIN.
LIES JUNCTION, Ill.-str Your letter in reply to
the plea of General Grant in defense OF the traitor
Porter is unanswerable. SPEED BUTLER.
MUscAr1NE, IowA.--Sir 1T may be some encour.
the West rejoice in your decided stand for loyalty
and justice in the Ftz-Jobn Porter case.
LYMAN BANKS
VIcKsBURG, Miss.-Sir IL congratulate you, and
hope and trust this great nation will honor you
for your answer TO Gen, Grant in behalf Of the
ELLINvILLE N. Y.--Sir Your course in the Fiz
j. Porter case meets the approval of all old soldier
here. We are pleased to see one who stands irS:
against that traitor Porter q. B. GARRISON.
6ALEsBURe, ILL-Sr The gratitude Of every
individual in this country is due to you; and.ior
myself cannot forbear from sense OF personal
duty. to express mine to you for your prompt.
mastery, and unanswerabe expose IN reference
20 the astounding position recently taken by Gen.
eral Grant WM. W. WEIGH
WAsHlYsToN, D. G,-Sp:-The thanks of every
loyal soldier in the land are due to you for the
Jealous and faithful opposition you haye made TO
the restoration of convicted traitors to the army OF
the United States, 1t is to be hoped that your serv
Ices In his regard WI be a as etGiens a, as taey are
BuSKER HILL INp.-Sir. Your manly and loyal
stand given III the Porter case is admired by all
sata ss Sd Il hs q de
ate generals ON August II, 1852 which, if properly
known think would forever dispose Of r his lPor'
ter's) case. THOMAS .. HARTER
.,FARMts CRY, tLL,--fStr;--I take the liberty TO
thank you most heartily for the stand You have
Many a loyal soldier lost his life in the time 81
was guilty Of w. c. MCMuRRY.
CHICAGO, ILr;-sir:-Youf reply to GEN Grants
Wonderful eect upon U.e be ns Of the mass Of
the people. The logical and explicit inanher In
conception OF the case and Porters guilt, have
placed you before the people as the champion Of
loyalty and Of the principles OF truth and Justice
ROBERT LENDER.
GUARD, KAssAs;--Sir Your letter in answer to
Grants article Is highly appreciated here anu will
be sanctioned by all true and tried soldiers.
W. KELLY
DECATUR. ILL.-Sir Permit me as one OF your
constituents, an old republican, and an army sur.
geon III the late war, TO thank you for the very
earnest manner In which you are Contending
against those who would from silly sentimental.
ism restore Porter TO the army he disgtaced All
the old soldiers with whom l have talked are
with you In this fight. s. j. BUNsTBAD.
PANA. ILL.-Sir:- Realizing that your former
companions in arms are most vitality Interested In
the merits and dement's of the Porter case, | in.
OF a number OF those who are With you in the
stand you have taken. II. +, WHITE
NEW YORK CITY-Sir.-I have watched this case
from the time of the " disobedienee OF orders in
the face OF the enemy" TO tue present time If
this arrangement OF restoration prevails, trial by
court mari ltal for military offences should be abol
ished, and the government Of the United states
should ask Gods forgiveness for the shooting OF
the many soldiers, VINO, after wearing matches
and exposure, accidentally iell asleep while on
outpost duty, There is no doubt but that records
of the War department. will show thai such execu'
tons occurred iu Porter's camp In these cases
ther. were no eighteen years allowed TO appeal
aud seek Justification or excuse through the eyi.
ISAAC j. MAcKIELEY.
OCEAN VIEW, CAL-Sir.-I think your reasons
conclusive against the restoration of Porter. PuO.
lie opinion Is Overwhelmingly against the conduct
Of Porter, who was not punished to the extent he
deserved. ANsoN 5. MILLER
CHAMPAIGN, ItL.-Sir:-Fight that man Porter
as long as yon can raise finger in protestation.
The whole soldier dead along Potomac river, both
teieral and confederate, demand that you brand