Year: 1866

and the people that the public debt of the United


States should forever remain sacred that the in


surrectionary debt should not be paid, and that
the rights of the freedmen should be protected.


We believe that tho men who made these elections


will keep them; but especially as soldiers, who


know the character of their late opponents, We


have endured so bravely and constantly


the trials and privations of four years Of


war-are, despite the error of their cause,


men of personal honor and selfTespect, and


that they will never permit the communities in


which they dwell to violate promises given in the


most solemn forms. We hold, then, that no rea-


son has been given to justify an adherence to the


course which has been pursued by Congress, or
condition of the country. If the same class of
who have established this policy shall be returned
to the next Congress, that condition will grow
worse for two years longer. Who can estimate
the evils which will meantime have fallen upon
all races in those communities as well as our
selves? 1t is our duty to remember that the gov
ernment is not the embodiment of perfect theories
but is practical business and deals with the wise
and unwise, the well and Ill disposed as mingled
mass OF that civilization which is growth, and
not the result of force. We believe that national
lty, with its distribution of powers between the
central and local governments is the chief instru-
mentality and is the best blessing of political and
civil life for all races and communities in this land
and that first duty to all is to see that it is as
promptly as possible re-estabished By means of
1t we shall accomplish not ouly peace and safety,
but justice to the nation and the freedmen


Upon all Of these sacred rights we shall insist
As soldiers, we still devoted to the same cause
and the same principles for which we fought the
cause OF Union, freedom, justice and law. We
forego none OF these in demanding Union now
We speak as soldiers, because we believe that an
appeal from us to the brave men who met us in
battle to unite with in giving peace to our COM
mon country, in fulfilling pledges which have been
made, and guaranteeing to the freedmen the
rights which honor and humanity enjoin, will not
be made LII vain. We shall ask and expect that
they, like ourselves will unite in maintaining the
laws, preserving the peace, vindicating good will
and IN upholding the honor and integrity of our
common country In answer to our appeal
we oeneVe that, notwithstanding ali provoca-
tons and dlsappointments, they will be
patient and orderly, law abiding and
law obeylng citizens, respecting and permit
ting differences of opinion by whomsoever enter
tanned and by whomsoever enunciated We want
a Union not merely in name, but Union in fact
not Union merely of geographical lines, but
tain, such Union we wish to enjoy. BY it alone
can our nation accomplish its true mission and
fulfill It's true destiny, So believing, we anxious
ly and earnestly appeal to you, our former COM
rades In arms, to assist in the great work of paci
catlon We appeal to you, not as democrats, not
as republicans, but as patriots and national Union
men, Whatever others may say, you know that
those who stood shoulder to shoulder with you
through the four years of terrible war are truly
loyal. You, at least, will never question their f.
dehty to, and their affection for, the Union and
the constitution, whatever differences of opinion
may exist, now that the war is over, and that the
lnsurrection is quelled between those who togeth-
ei oHeTeu tnelr !Ves as constant and willing sac
flnce That the life OF the nation might be saved.
Let no examinations recrimnatiOns mar or dis
turb that mutual esteem which should be ever
cherished by those who have shared common dan
ger in contending for common cause. We were
brothers during the dark days of the rebellion let
us remain friends during the brighter days Of
peace and as carried desolation into the South
when she was hostile and defiant, let us unite in
rendering to her not only just but generous treat
ment now that she is subdued and disarmed. If
we but do this, if we but evince the magnanimity
OF spirit always polite from the victor to the
quered, the honor and pride of the Southern sol
dlers will so respond that beloved Union shall
be stronger, better, frmer than ever before. May
the God of our fathers, who by His blessings ena-
Oled them through seven years war to establish
a Unlon and we, their children and sons, to vim
licate it in the late terrible struggle, grant His
aid and assistance in efforts to establish and
Derpetuate it.