John T. Hessen, William S. Parker, and John W. Judd to Richard Yates

John T. Hessen, William S. Parker, and John W. Judd to Richard Yates

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

1863-02-13

pdf

en

509913

                                                                                        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 ha 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 Governmant of the nation and state in crushing the wicked rebelion-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, preservering in unalterable devotion to the Union, implacable, whether found in organized armies of rebellious Stated, 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 there
    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 not withstanding.
    RESOLVED, That in adopting that instrument, the States explicitly and voluntarily renounced the doctrine of accession and disunion for any cause and provided within it, sufficient remedies for all grievances-that under it benign control, our country had reached a condition of greatness, prosperiety and glory hitherto unknown amoong nations- dispeasing 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 not 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 supress an unjustifiable and unlawful rebellion, which is equally a violaton of the Constitution of the United States, and of every particular State. It is th effort of the governmant 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 Staates, 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 a blazoned upon our sacred flag- never to ge effaced.
    RESOLVED, That the Mississipi is our own- the 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 patended Confererate 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 won constitution, laws. and republican form of government- now asured and broken down by unlawful violence or gross frauds upon the people- the reposession of all forts and places and the return of peace unthe the only flag the deserves the homage of Americans.
    RESOLVED, That we will sustain with unswerving fidelity, the Governmant of the United States and of our own State in all efforts to conquer this revellion 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 condem all compromise of the nation with his criminals or any offers of peace on our part, as disgracetin to the Government, an impulation on the loyality of the people and the courage of its soldiers. We alike condenm the propositions for an armistice, as treasonable and dangerous, conceived and urged only by traitors, for the purpose of disarming the Government, wasting its resources and dissolving its gallent 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 Constitation, while a rebel remains defiantly in arms. It is doubly disgraceful to us to volenteer 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, with their Southern allies have the courage and honesty to do by fighting. We repudate and denounce these false men, by whatever party name they call themselves. We came to this war from all partied but know only one party now, that which 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 numvers 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 wile we cannot be ignorant of the mistakes and miscarriages that have attended a conflict began and continued under extraordinary and untried circumstances, our cofidence in the final result is undisturbed. We invoke on the part of our friends at home, steadiness, patience and an inalterable 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 the the force at Corinth, Miss.

    We the undersigned commissioned officers of Co. C 61st Ill. Vol. do certify that the foregoing resolutions were adopted by all the enlisted men of the company, except

(----)

seven. We certify also, that they meet with our unqualified approval.

John T. Hessen, Capt. William S. Parker, 1st Lieut. John W. Judd, 2nd Lieut.

Complete

100

20

3