Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-03-21
IL Nor.l.ws..srn oae..Ien.

The EOrihwssssrn Question.
] HOUSE OF REPREsESTAuvEs March S, 1858.
To the Editor Of the Richmond Wing
I have just received q letter from one Of the
I most accomplished and influential Of my. con.
! stituents, few extracts from which 1 send you
for publiesti0n in your useful and patriotic
paper. Ine writer Of this letter is one of the
largest planters ia the South, has given as much
attention to the questions connected with the
present war IS any man now living, and is the
occupant Of a place Of high official trust under
the Confederate government Daily do 1 receive
sIni lar letters from every part Of the South, and
1 feel well assured that. in the army aud out OF
It. ninety nine hundredtbs of our people c0ucur
fuiy with my respected correspondent ia all he
says touching the importance Of weakening the
enemy. by detachiBg, if practicable, the States
OF the Northwest from their present connection
with the Lincoln despoiism. ArRg contractors.
and others personally interested IN pr0loneiug
the war, doubtless hold different language. but
Their influence is too limited TO justify the least
apprehension IS to their being able to prevent a
termination Of hostilities by the adoption Of
such expedieEts as are recommended IN the
extracts transmitted nORe Of which srs at all
Incompatible with a vigorous prosecution Of the
war.
have the honor to be, very respectfully. your
ooedient serVant, Il. S. FOOTE
Hon. H. s. Foois, Richmond:
DEAR SIR; Your efforts 10 suggest some plan
By which the war might be shortened, have
been pTsiseworthy. so little had been indi-
cated north Of the Ohio river that It left every
move on our part open TO serious objections
Time and efforts produced by the valoT of our
troops, seem TO have given existence to a senti-
ment which deserves a Wstchful attention from
statesmen Of the South
This sentiment is found among the agrieultu-
rsl interests Ia the Northern" Valley of tbe
Mississippi river, and mainly among the old
Democrats Of that region. We occupy q posi-
ton now, and have always done so that we
could not make proposals 10 the Lincoln govern
ment. This is the true position still To that
we bid defiance but to the Legislatures of In
diana and Illinois, and other States of the
Northwestern Valley Of the Mississippi, which
may come to their conclusions. I hold a differ
ent policy TO be correct We shoald meet their
resolutions with all the concessions we can cen
sistentiy make in trade and general commerce.
meludings of course, the free navigation Of the
Mississippi riveT,'upon conditions, thus
lst Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kan
sas and Minnesota, and perhaps, Ohio, shall
torm the Northern Confederaey."
ID. Both c0nfederacies Southern and
s. Northern, - to be politically independent All
the slave States to belong to the Southern Con-
fsderscy"
Sd. A league between the two, offensive and
defensive; and runaway slaves to be returned,
the navigation Of the Mississippi river and free
trade, and Sc imports" ss our tariff
Advantages 10 both cOnfsdersciss. The
Southern COnfedeTacv" obtains peace. A
strong ally in war, and protection to slavery.
Her independence Acknowledged by the North
eTn Coniederacy' which viii be sufficient. She
ObtSins for her seaboard cities the importations
for both cenfederacies, and their freight on her
rivers and railroads.
The Northern Confederscy" gets rid of the
responsibility Of Slavery. It may assume what
ever portion Of the immense war dsbt now ex
isting, they may decide on.
It secures importations st our low tariff Tt
secures Its former market in the South for its
agricultural productions, and the same use Of
the great Mississippi river. It's political inhu-
ence gives position and place to its statesmen.
It's topography aud unity of pursuit, institu-
tionS and labor, secure harmony in its legisla-
tion, and promise great prosperity The two
together, secure the sdiseent territories, q very
important point, as they cannot be united to the
rsunant Of the old United States, lying east,
including New England, which brought on the
war. The two c0ufsderscies would become the
great Dower" of the American continent
The Southern Confederacy, based upon slave
labor, would always preponderase in intellect,
and would control
1 present this to your well stored, prolific
mind, as an outline Of what may come out Of
a wise course, in meeting the sentiment of the
Northwest, heretofore alluded TO-
1t is true they have fought us invaded our
Bronged US terribly but that is done, |
and cannot be recalled. It is g matter of in /
ealcUlsble advantage to cur Oniederacy-to I
stop the sacrifice Of life, and of some importance
10 limit the debt, and restore our citizens to 4
heir homes. Concessions can be made to the I
Northern Coniederacy - formed of the States
named, which viii stop tha war and benefit Us
81 the same time As q Gotten planter, and 4
slave owner, I would greatly prefer the league,
IN the terms mentioned, to separate indspen-
ience, With the eumity Of that people to the in
ltitution Of slavery. As soon as they are dis
from slavery, it will cease to be dis
;uSsed everywhere.
IF we are not strong, it may ganerate another
var. The league gives gresk strength Under
his league, can be embraced what they mean
y reconstruction. That is, their position viii
'e as good, or better than before, and twenty
wO States will bein the league instead of thirty
hree. But the New England States, New Jer-
ey, Delaware, etc, are Of no importance to
hem. They have secured the market and trade,
md for these they were fighting; and are also
politically disconnected from slavery Indeed
hey thus obtain all they are contending for.
They say they are not fighting 10 free the slaves
We obtain al we are eontending for.
I find ultra men, unwilling to do anything
ut fight on. They are MT in the army.
ave been vita the army since It's organization.
know the opinion and sentiment Of the army.
hey have suffered sufficiently, and desire peace.
If the Northwest is met, on the basis proposed
erein, think we viii enter the wedge which
ill sundsr the present authorities conducting {
be war. Lincoln viii carry on the war during !
is administration, if ha can get the support Of
lsss States. We then should be on the alert, !
nd if possible, deprive him Of this portion Of !
is army. The balance we can whip, very soon. I
necessary. We can conquer a peace from Z
lem but that viii not be necessary. IF Indi- {
1s and Illinois withdraw the war will close
Fith these proposals before them, they won't
ght longer. The other States named will fol-
w, or some Of them at least.
If this be neglected on our part. the lsa9ins 9
Zen may be offered positions, which would neu-
aliEe their efforts. II
These STATES are a part of the Mississippi
alley and their true alliance is with the South.
hey are an agricultural people, and SO are we
aI theif pfodaeIs are different from ours, and
snee nj, me advantages in a commercial league.
Negotiations must begin some Enie-69htine
one won't adjust difficulty.
l have seen 50 little Of the proceedings Of
ongress, thai am ignoTsut Of Whist has been
seussed ~
Inc prominent idea is this: We make no prop Z
lton to the government but We should put
10 shape what We viii do with certain States,
as 70 induce them to cease warning.
=. Daniel Starr, who Was srrested last week, 4
Montgomery. as traitor and an incendiarF,
let with speedy justice. After bis case was ?
1lv invsrtiratad lie was pronounced ouiltq b