Knowing the reports to the effect that he was opposed to the war policy of the Administration and the proclamation of the President, have been in circulation since his return to the army, we cheerfully give place to a letter from Fred. H. Whitaker in our columns, believing that it is but just to allow him the privilege of correcting such misrepresentational one in his own language and over his own signature. Every one who conversed with him on political topics during his visit home must know that he is [illegible]ly opposed to any propositions for peace, except upon the unconditional surrender of the rebels, and that he declared himself fully satisfied with the emancipation proclamation and all other war measures of the Administration. How such reports got into circulation we are unable to say, but presume it is part of the secesh programme to make the people at home believe the soldiers are dissatisfied with the object of the war, and by that means prejudice their minds against the Administration.
There is another fact revealed in Fred’s letter, and we are sorry to have it said of citizens of our town: He was advised to desert the army by men in Toulon. Is it possible we have men in our quiet law-abiding town, who willfully and deliberately advise local soldiers to desert? It must be true. Fred is honest, frank, generous and loyal, and we cannot believe he would utter a falsehood upon his fellow townsmen. But what shall we say of those who advised him to desert? Our vocabulary fails to furnish words of sufficient power to express our contempt for [illegible] miserable, cowardly traitors [illegible] at heart, and not [illegible] in a free country under such a beneficent Government as we are trying to save from destruction. If the law makes it criminal to discourage enlistments, what should be done with the men who encourage desertions? It is well for such men that they keep a good distance from the lines of a Federal camp, with their vile treason, if they have no fancy for hempen collars.
– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, Thursday, February 28, 1863
See Also: Fred H. Whitaker’s Letter
There is another fact revealed in Fred’s letter, and we are sorry to have it said of citizens of our town: He was advised to desert the army by men in Toulon. Is it possible we have men in our quiet law-abiding town, who willfully and deliberately advise local soldiers to desert? It must be true. Fred is honest, frank, generous and loyal, and we cannot believe he would utter a falsehood upon his fellow townsmen. But what shall we say of those who advised him to desert? Our vocabulary fails to furnish words of sufficient power to express our contempt for [illegible] miserable, cowardly traitors [illegible] at heart, and not [illegible] in a free country under such a beneficent Government as we are trying to save from destruction. If the law makes it criminal to discourage enlistments, what should be done with the men who encourage desertions? It is well for such men that they keep a good distance from the lines of a Federal camp, with their vile treason, if they have no fancy for hempen collars.
– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, Thursday, February 28, 1863
See Also: Fred H. Whitaker’s Letter
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