z^ D D E E S S MERCHANTS OF THE CITY OF xNORFOLK, VA. imiGADIER-GENERAL HENRY M. NAGLEE; HIS REPLY. October 1863. PIIILADELPm A. 1863. Class. Book. VZ34 ■ KgAa ADDRESS. Norfolk, Va., Oct. 2, 1863. BRIGADIER-GENEEAL HENRY M. NAGLEE. General : — We, citizen-merchants of Norfolk and vicinity, have learned, with feelings of deep regret, that you have been relieved of the command of the District of Virginia, and we feel that we should not be doing justice to ourselves, or to you, were we to omit, upon this occa- sion, the frank expression of our sentiments towards you. You have had control of this military district for but two short months. We attest, what candor compels us to say, that during this brief period of time, amid the most trying and complicated occasions, you have given such incontrovertible evidence of a high order of admin- istrative ability, so marked with a courteous bearing toward us and our fellow-citizens, that we should be wanting in those generous feelings which inspire our common humanity were we to withhold upon this occa- sion this just and public appreciation of your services. We know but too well, and feel that invidious causes 4 have been at work in this removal that should never have found a responsive throb in the bosoms of honest men, and that there are those who have sought to dis- place you simply because, as an honest man, you have proudly and patriotically stood in their way of whole- sale robbery and plunder — men whose hearts never pul- sated with a feeling beyond that of selfish gain. When you took charge of this department there was neither order, system, nor rule ; your predecessor — marked by indecision of character, and wanting in the higher attributes of manhood — became, in the hands of a few, a vacillating, oscillating pendulum. You commenced the work of reform, which struck at practices incon- sistent with good faith, and the restoration of law and order — out of chaos sprang the beauty of system : justice was administered with a firm and even hand to the loyal and disloyal, according to their respective deserts; and many, touched by the logic of unabused power, hastened to join the loyal standard. Indeed, sir, such was the people's faith in the honesty of your purposes, o,nd the wisdom of your acts, that we believe, under your benign rule, the partition wall between union and disunion citi- zens — comprising a population of over a hundred thou- sand souls — was fast being broken down, and in their bosoms were being rekindled the still latent fires of patriotic emotion for our generous country. Your policy was based upon the philosophic theory — taught by the Fathers of the Republic, sustained with the honest purposes of "your enthusiastic soul — " that force alone could not restore this Union ;" because force is not an element of Union. It was by this policy you essayed, successfully, to inspire the people with un- bounded confidence in the fostering care of a constitu- tional government. You made no war upon helpless women and children and a defenseless people ; you pro- tected tlie wenk and restrained the strong; and in the magnificent charities of a warm heart, you had inaugu- rated for the government of the people of Norfolk and vicinity the grateful blessings of civil liberty. We know, General, this wise and eminently humane policy has had its beneficent effect, and that thousands of citizens in this department, hitherto disloyal, were gradually returning to their constitutional allegiance. The change was indeed marked — so marked that w^e believe if a fiiir election could be held in Norfolk and surrounding counties — including those in the eastern section of North Carolina bordering on the Virginia line — there would be a large majority for "Union." But, sir, we confess with feelings of humiliation — because you were doing your work well, too well for those who seek to destroy, and who saw, with envious feelings, the in- creasing circle of your well-earned fame — you were hastily relieved of the command in this department. We, in common with thousands of others, regret it, deeply regret it — we regret it because discipline and order are the work of experience and time; and we regret it the more because our cause must and will suffer by so sudden a departure. But, sir, we are overcome with the occasion, and words become feeble instruments of thought, and withal are vain. The fiat has gone forth, and we submit. We have slightly touched upon the causes which prompted this address ; we deeply regret the necessity which moves us to action ; but we could not resist the temptation to essay to do justice to your noble impulses and wise policy — a policy, permit us. General, with feeling empha- sis to say, this district will ever remember with grateful hearts; and when war with his desolating hand shall have ceased to redden with the blood of brothers, and peace with its golden hues shall have returned to bless a stricken people,