New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-20
1861 and Now
Disloyalty No New American War
Problem

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: With those Of us who sprang from a
race Of patriots there. is an inherent loyalty
&c the government in the present struggle
which finds expression in every act and every
word We speak or write
To us it is no strange thing that the
United States should be arrayed IN war
against German Imperialism; the strange
thing is that any man who has found haven
in this country. whether he be Of native stock
or not. should hesitate for a moment in
aligning himself with the government.
Like leaf from the history now in the
making comes letter sent to the writer by
his father. Francis Heermans, of Morgan
town, W. Va, which was written by his
father. John Heermaus, who was then editing
a Union newspaper in Wheeling. ". Va
Dated August 9, 1861, my grandfather writes:
THE slight rebel success does not in the
least discourage the Union men in this coun-
try. nor anywhere else as can see, but
rouses them to greater determination to put
down the rebellion without regard to cost in
blood or treasure The universal sentiment
seems 70 be that human freedom shall not
die in 1851 or in any other year of this gener-
alton. This work is not for this age and
country alone, but for the entire human race
for generations yet unborn; aid the preser-
vstion and perpetuation OF this Union will
be cheap at any price. No true American
will stop TO count any necessary cost to ex-
terminate this, the foulest treason that the
world has ever seen. These seem to be the
doctrines Of all true-hearted sons Of freedom
everywhere; and the slight reverse at Bull
Run seems only to have intensified them
But there are a few emssaries OF treason
everywhere. | believe. apologists for seces-
sion and clamorers for peace-peace, when
there is no peace and can be none until
treason comes down TO dust. But, happily,
these semi-traitors are few and far between
and are incapable OF much mischief The
people are right and success is sure
John Heermans, my grandfather, who wrote
this letter to one of his sons, was the win
ner OF a 5000 prize offered by the govern
ment and awarded at Washington on the
theme of constitutional right Of the govern
ment to suppress the rebellion
Mr. Heermans was frequent contributor
to The New York Tribune during those days,
accoi ding to his biographical sketch. which
is before me, and once won a $500 prize
offered by that paper for a thesis on The
Protective Tariff"
Il vas the writer's good fortune to have
prepared and forwarded to Vice-President
Marshall the resolution OF the Washburn,
Wis. Loyalty League the first resolution
passed on the subject, demanding the i'm
peachment o. Senator Robert VI. La Toilette.
This was read before the Senate only a few
weeks ago.
Thus, il comes natural to many Of US to
stand Loyalty by the President and the gov
ernment in times like these. What of the
men who never knew OF the valor of men
past and gore. TO whom they and all Of US
owe 80 much for the preservation OF the in
stitutions we now enjoy? Have they TO
gratefulncss or are they ignorant o. the fact
at We are but facing-only on a larger
scale problems OF ls6l-'65. and, aye OF the
Revolutionary period?
EDWARD McGREW HEERMANS.
Washhurr Wis Oct Il 1917