The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-09
JUSTICE HARLAN,
Full Text of His letter Resigning His Army
Commission

Full Text of His letter Resigning His Army
Commission.
National Republican
Since the dissenting opinion of Justice Har
Ian, of the United States Supreme Court wa;
rendered in the civil-rghts case. several news
papers have printed the statement that he re.
signed his commission in the army during the
civil war because of President Lincoln's proc.
lamation of emancipation The manifest pur
pose of this was to belittle and diminish
the force Of the opinion by making it appear
that 1t came from one who had preferred the
cause of slavery to the cause of the Union.
This, although untrue, seemed of Importance
enough to be truly answered. Accordingly the
republican made inquiry concerning it of JUS
tice Harlan himself His response was that his
letter OF resignation from the army, on the files
of the War Department, is its own best answer
to the statement referred to- as it clearly recited
the only motive that actuated it, Yesterday we
obtained this document, duly authenticated by
the Adlutant- general, and it is given below
complete refutation of the injurious tale put in
circulation for sinister purpose:
LAvERGNE, Tenn, March . 1868
the Cumberland, Murfreesboro, Tenn:
General hereby tender my resignation as colonel
of the Tenth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry.
l am not indebted to the government of the United
States nor have ] any government property in my
possession have not been absent any time without
leave, there any charges against which can
affect my pay. I have been paid to Jan. l, 1868.
1t is duo to my superior ohcers-to those with
whom originally entered the service and TO the
in which we nhave alike labored for nearly sixteen
months-that. should state explicitly the reasons
which have induced me TO take this step
The recent sudden death of my father has devoved
upon me. duties of a private nature which cannot
with propriety neglect and which the exgences of the
public service do not require that | shall neglect
Those duties relate to his unsettled business, which
demands my immediate personal attention.
deeply regret that compelled at this time to
return to civil life. 1t my liked purpose to re-
main in the federal army until it had efectualy sup
pressed the existing armed rebellion and restored the
aut hcriy of the national government every part
of the nation. No ordinary considerations would have
induced me to depart from this purpose. Even the
private interests to which have alluded would be re-
garded nothing, in my estimation if felt that my
continuance in retirement from the service would
to any material extent affect the great struggle
through which the country is passing.
If, therefore, am permitted to retire from the
army, beS the commanding general to feel assured
that it is from no want of confidence either in the
justice or the ultimate triumph of the Union cause
That cause will always have the warmest sympathes
of my heart, for there conditions upon which
will consent to a dissolution of the Union Nor are
there any conditions consistent with republican form
of government which am not prepared to make in
order to maintain and perpetuate that Union have
the honor to be, General very respectfully your ODE
dent servant, JOHN NJ. HARLAN
Colonel Commanding Second Brigade, Third Divis-
ion, Fourteenth Army Corps.
ADIUTANT- GENERALS OFFICE, WASHINGTON, Feb.
4. 1884.
Official. r. c. DRUM, Adiutant-general.