National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-02-05
A Misrepresentation Corrected.

Since the dissenting opinion Of Justice Har-
rendered in the civil rights case, several
newspapers have printed the statement that
he resigned his commission in the army dur
ing the civil war because of President Lin
coins proclamation of emancipation. The
manifest purpose Of this was to belttle and d.
minish the force of the opinion by making itap-
pear that it camo 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,
.------.4.r DLIUAS maue inquiry concerning
it of Justice Harlan himself. His res ponse
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 motire that
actuated it. Yesterday we obtained this
document, duly authenticated by the adju-
tant general, and it Is given below as a COM
plete refutation Of the injurious tale put in
circulation for sinister purpose:
GARFIELD, CHIEF or STAFF, ARMY or THE CUMBER-
LAND, MURFREEsBoRo, TEHN.-GGnerdi! / hereby
tender my resignation rs colonel of the 10th Ken
lucky volunteer infantry.
am not indebted to the government of the
United States, norhave / any government property
in my possession. l have not been absent any
time without leave, nor arc there any chargrs
against me which can affect my pay. have been
paid to Jan. /, 1868.
II Is dine RuDnriOr Onlpnrg--tn those with
whom l originally entered the service, and to the
cause in which we have alike labored for nearly
sixteen months that should state explicitly the
| reasons which have induced mo to take this step
| The recent sudden death of my father has de-
| volved upon me dutos of private nature which
/ cannot with proprety neglect, and which the
| exigeuces of the public service do not require
that shall neglect. Those duties relate to hisun
| settled business, which demands my immediate
| personal attention.
deeply regret that am compelled at this time
to return to civil liien 1t was my fixed purpose to
remain In the federal army until 1t had etfectuay
| suppressed the existing armed rebellion and re.
| stored the authority OF the national government
over every part of the nation. No ordinary con-
siderations would have induced me to depart
| from this purpose Even the private interests to
which have alluded would be regarded as moth
| ing, in my estimation II felt that my contlnu.
| anco in or retirement from the service would to
any material extent affect the great struggle
| through which the country is now passing.
| If, therefore, am permitted to retire from the
army, i beg the commanding general to feel as.
sured that IL is from no want OF confidence either
in the justice the ultimate triumph of the union
cause That cause will always have the warmest
sympathies of my heart, for there are no condi.
lions upon which will consent to dissolution
| Of the union. Nor are there any conditions con-
sistcnt 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 N. HARLAN
Col. Comdg Cd Brig, Sd Div. 18th Army Corps
ADJUTANT GENERALS OFFICE, Washington, Feb
4, 1854.
| Official. r, G. DRUM,
| Adjutgnt General.