injured rather
than advanced the cause of emancipation. I made no remarks relative
to the radical party, nor to radicals as a party of class of
citizens. I spoke of those men and papers who by tolerating and
encouraging lawlessness in the name of radicalism had done so much
towards producing trouble in the State.

"It is perhaps natural that any honest man should feel, as you
propose, to disown a party in which such abuses are tolerated, but
I cannot see the propriety of so doing. Would it not be much wiser
and more patriotic to endeavor to purify the party, to bring it
back to the high principles upon which it was founded, and to rid
it of the elements which have disgraced those principles?

"Our conversation on the 29th was regarded by me as confidential,
and I still desire it to be so regarded by you, and also this
letter. No possible good can result from a public discussion by
me of such matters.

"You are aware that as department commander I have nothing to do
with politics, nor with offenders as members of any party. I shall
unquestionably, upon proper proof, punish all who have been, or
may hereafter be, guilty of the crimes you mention, without regard
to the party they may belong to; but I do not propose to condemn
any party or class of men because of the guilt of one or any number
of its members. When I find men acting wrongfully or unwisely to
the prejudice of the Union cause, I endeavor, within my proper
sphere, to correct or restrain them by appropriate means according
to circumstances. Whether my influence thus exerted inures to the
benefit of one party or another is a question which I cannot take
into consideration.

"My dealing is with individuals, not with parties. Officially I
know nothing of radicals or conservatives. The question with me
is simply what individuals obey the laws and what violate them;
who are for the government and who against it. The measures of
the President are my measures; his orders, my rule of action.
Whether a particular party gains strength or loses it by my action
must depend upon the party, and not upon me."

FORMER CONFEDERATES IN UNION MILITIA REGIMENTS

At this time occurred the following exchange of letters with the
President:

"(Private and confidential.)

"Executive Mansion, Washington, Oct. 28th, 1863.
"General John M. Schofield: There have recently reached the War
Department, and thence been laid before me, from M