Resolution on the conduct of the war Bolivar, Tennessee

RESOLUTIONS

On the Conduct of the War,

ADOPTED BY THE

OFFICERS AND ENLISTED MEN FROM ILLINOIS,

Stationed at Bolivar, Tennessee,

February 13th, 1863.

The citizens of Illinois, now in the military service of the United States at Bolivar, Tennessee, though separated from their homes, and prevented for a time, from participating in the affairs of civil government, consider that an occasion has arisen, in which a declaration is due from them, of the motives which impelled them to that service, and the principles which govern their present determinations.

Thus far, they have endeavored to do their duty as soldiers in the field, fighting for the preservation of a constitutional Union and just laws -- to vindicate the honor of the American flag; for the preservation of liberty and the restoration of peace; leaving for a time, the conduct of civil affairs, to their fellow citizens remaining at home -- looking to them with confidence for support and encouragement; and expecting from them a zeal equal to their own, in efforts to sustain the Government of the nation and state in crushing the wicked rebellion which yet afflicts and disgraces our country. But, recent events show, that, while the better part of those remaining in civil life are true and loyal, there are yet demagogues and traitors among them, more dangerous and insidious than enemies in the field -- bad men, who, taking advantage of the troubles of their country, and the absence of its defenders from the polls, acquire and use power to the encouragement of rebellion -- the debauching of the public sentiment, and in efforts to paralyze the arm of the Government, and dishonorably compromise Illinois in schemes of disunion and ruin.

The soldiers of Illinois, persevering in unalterable devotion to the Union, implacable hostility to all forms of treason and rebeliion, whether found in organized armies of rebellious States, in political conventions, or legislative assemblies at home, deem it their proper duty to make their sentiments known to their fellow citizens and the country. It is therefore

Resolved, That the union of the States under the solemn forms of the Constitution, was intended to be a permanent and perpetual union, reserving to each State its proper sovereignty, consenting and declaring, that the Constitution of the United States and the laws made in pursuance thereof should be the supreme law of the land, any thing in the Constitution and laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.

Resolved, That in adopting that instrument, the States explicitly and voluntarily renounced the doctrine of secession and disunion for any cause, and provided within it, sufficient remedies for all grievances -- that under its benign control, our country had reached a condition of greatness, prosperity and glory hitherto unknown among nations -- dispensing equal justice to all sections, and securing to the people of all the States liberty happiness and peace.

Resolved, That this is not a war between nations, for there is but one -- not a war between States, for they have no constitutional mode, or right, or power to engage in war -- not a war between the Government of the United States, and any State or States, for the Government has no power to war against a State, and no State can be a belligerent. -- But this is the effort of a just and lawful Government, to suppress an unjustifiable and unlawful rebellion, which is equally a violation of the Constitution of the United States, and of every particular State. It is the effort of the Government to restore the peace in the States in which treason has corrupted public sentiment, and perverted even the forms of legislation to pretended official acts of rebellion, but which in themselves are void. It is not to overthrow, but to restore -- not to subjugate, but to make free -- not to set aside the constitution and laws of States, but to re establish them wherever found borne down and choked by military usurpation. -- The soldiers of Illinois are not invaders. -- This is American soil -- this, our country; and as citizens of Illinois, we claim citizenship in each of the thirty-four States, whose stars are blazoned upon our sacred flag -- never to be effaced.

Resolved, That the Mississipi is our own -- that the right to its free navigation was purchased with blood and treasure for the benefit of the whole nation, but pre-eminently the great North-West. Its value is found in the price of every acre of our land and every product of our industry. It is ours by every right of self-defence and self-preservation; and though this contest involved no other principle, we would swear, as we do

now, never to give it up to unfriendly control, or submit to the least restriction upon our use of this, our own highway to the ocean.

Resolved, That the geographical position of our country -- the course of its mountains and rivers -- the adaptation of its lake and ocean navigation and boundaries -- its pleasing varieties of climate and production, increased in value by that variety -- our identity of origin, law and language -- a common and united struggle for national existence -- a happy Union, so fruitful of blessings, so full of glorious memories and bright hopes -- all admonish us that God never intended the separation of these States; but that the highest interests of religion civilization and humanity demand that we remain one people forever.

Resolved, That we look to no end of this struggle, but in the final overthrow of the petended Confederate Government; the defeat and disarming of its armies and adherents -- the punishment of the principal offenders, and the return of their deluded followers to loyalty and duty -- the restoring of States to the jurisdiction of their own constitution, laws, and republican form of government -- now usurped and broken down by unlawful violence or gross frauds upon the people -- the re possession of all forts and places and the return of peace under the only flag that deserves the homage of Americans.

Resolved, That we will sustain with unswerving fidelity, the Government of the United States, and of our own State, in all efforts to conquer this rebellion, by every necessary engine and means of terrible war -- knowing by their own insulting declarations that the rebels will submit to nothing less than annihilating defeat and the swiftest retributions of justice.

Resolved, That we utterly repudiate and condemn all compromise of the nation with its criminals, or any offers of peace on our part, as disgraceful to the Government, an imputation on the loyalty of the people and the courage of its soldiers. We alike condemn the propositions for an armistice, as unreasonable and dangerous, conceived and urged only by traitors, for the purpose of disarming the Government, wasting its resources and dissolving its gallant army, thus preparing the way for the sure triumph of the rebellion. We want no compromise, no cessation of hostilities, no peace conventions, no proposed changes of the Constitution, while a rebel remains defiantly in arms. It is doubly disgraceful to us to volunteer such propositions, when we know how indignantly the rebels themselves will spurn them and despise the craven and cowardly spirit that could consent to repeat them.

Resolved, That we have witnessed with shame and indignation, the efforts recently made in our State, to resist the Governments of the Nation and State, in their noble and patriotic efforts to restore the public peace. We had hoped that after so large a portion of the true and brave men of Illinois had gone forth to the field, those who remained at home would generously and nobly sustain them -- that the voice of faction and the clamor of parties would have given way to a united effort to matain the Executive of our Government and the honor of our State. But a horde of traitors have dared to come forth, even into Legislative Halls, and there perpetrate upon us and our cause, by voting, what their Southern allies have the courage and honesty to do by fighting. We repudiate and denounce these false men, by whatever party name they call themselves. We came to this war from all parties, but know only one party now, that which has sworn to maintain the Union and restore the Government to its constitutional authority. In doing this, we war not against acknowledged rights or established institutions, unless in the way of our sworn purpose; -- in that case, let them fail; for whatever men undertake to set up above the Constitution and the Union, must go down.

Resolved, That holding these sentiments, we pledge anew our faith and service to our afflicted country and though thinned in numbers and worn and scarred in hardships and battles, we go forward in undoubting faith, prepared to repeat on new fields, those acts which we trust have already made the name of Illinois illustrious. And should treason rear its monstrous form at home -- if it be found that our own beloved State harbors in her bosom, men who dare to consort with the public enemy, and become the confederates and tools of traitors in arms against us we will only wait for the first base act of treason, to turn back and crush them, as we do those in front, beneath the heel of war. And we warn them that though they now take advantage of our absence, and the temporary power it gives them, to assail and dishonor us, the day of retribution will come.

Resolved, That while we cannot be ignorant of the mistakes and miscarriages that have attended a conflict begun and continued under extraordinary and untried circumstances, our confidence in the final result is undisturbed. We invoke on the part of our friends at home, steadiness, patience and an unalterable devotion to the cause, for which we, their neighbors and kindred have suffered much, and are ready to suffer again. Illinois has given us to the Union. We are the soldiers of the nation. Were every member of the Legislature of our State a traitor, we could not be withdrawn from the field, nor our hand held back from crushing all enemies of the Union, even though they should be found amongst them.

Resolved, That we invite an expression of opinion in this matter from all Illinois troops in the field, as already given by the force at Corinth, Miss.

We the undersigned Officers heartily concur in the above resolutions.

James Lawrence, Capt.

Comd'g Co. "L." 61st Ills.

Chas I. Dawes, 1st Lieut.

For the Resolutions, Enlisted men 20

Against " " " 22

I