Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-03-04
entitled. to navigate this great cham


/ ly entitled, to navigate this great chaunsl
Of trade to the sea, is It NOS wiser and
better that they should perfectly understand each
other on this sabjsct early as possible, and
avoid al Improbable collisions in futurei
The fact is, that the identity Of interest exist
Ping between the States on the upper Mississippi
aud those to tee south Of them in the great
valley, has been always so evident that, IN tie
councils of the Federal Congress, the Tepressn-
tstives Of the whole valley, without mnch re-
gard 10 the lines of separation between the
slaYeholding and non-slaveholding region, al
most uniformly voted in unison upon sll toe
more vital questions of national legislation.
This was particularly the case in regard to
questions connected With exterior and interior
trade the tariff, and the improvement Of the
navigation Of that grand artery Of inlaad COM
merce the Mississippi river. Mr., Calhoun
(far the most agseous statesman that the South
has produced in the present century,, less than
twenty years ago, when attending the great
commsrcisl convention held 10 the city Of Mem
phis, denominsted the Mississippi river "a great
inland sea. He uttered most profound and
important truth, and foreshRdOwed, in a spirit
Of Imposing prophecy, tho sublime programme
of the future. Il is, indeed, an inland sea-and
the rights of navigation which appertsin to it,
belong alike to sll those who dwell apen its
shores. It's the Mediterranean sea or Western
America; no State or nation who may be found
dwelling upon its shores, in all time to come,
Will have right 20 monopolizs its trade, or be
allowed exclusively to prescribe the laws By
which its navigation is TO be regulated. The
general mass OF Northwestern people were
originally very closely sssimilated to the popQ.
lation Of ths slaveholding States, in manner, in
sentiment, and in social habitudes The double
inundatioa with which the State of the upper
Mississippi have been oyeraowsd from the DO
main of PWritaniSln and from foreign lands hiss
produced some change in the character of the
people, and introduced, to some extent the
seeds Of jealousy and unkindness toward the
South and her Institutions But tke alienation
aud distrast thus engendered, ara not nsar so
extended as many superficial persons suppose.
But for the false teachings of unprincibled dsm-
egogues IN Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, who took
particular pains to difase s1n0ug the people of
those States the notion that, if We should sue
coed ia our struggle for independence, We would
iufallbly deprive them of the free navigation of
the Mississippi river they would never, in my
opinion, have become pa,ties to TINS war Had
we taken proper steps to relieve their minds from
error on this subject in the early part of the
struggle, the people Of the Northwest would
have long ago made peace with US So belisv-
ing, and uponwhat deemed the most anthem
tic testimony, 50 soon as I took my seat in the
Confederate Congress, introduced the resolu-
tious which you have done me the honor so
warmly to commend. Since the first movement
on this subject occurred, great political elee.
tons have taken place. IN which the opposition |
of the great body of the Northwestern psopIe |
to the further continuance of the war has been |
made so manifest, that no reasonable man now /
doubts it Let our government propose at /
once to the Northwestern States to guarantee, /
by solemn treaty sipulations, the free nsYiga. /
ton Of the Mississippi river; agree to open the i
markets Of the South to the people of that great
and growing region, enhanced il value BY the
permanent exclusion Of all products of Nsw
England growth or manufactures and give as
5urance OF prompt military aid TO these States
should they be attacked by our common enc
nes and such results viii bs seen at once to
arise, as viii render it altogether impossible for
-he Lincoln government further 70 carry on the
vsr.
1 am satisfied that I know the people Of the
Northwestern S.atss as well as any man now
living [ have sgjournei among them at differ
snt times for considerable periods have been
amiliariY associated with Northwestern men Of
great intelligence and influence m the regions
beyond the Rocky mountsiDs. l have had much
sud gratifying interchange of political SEMI
n en- snd opinion with leading and influential
nen Of the Northwestern States, in former days,
n the halls Of the Federal Congress and en-
ertsin not the smallest doubt about the efficacy
If the expedients recommended, should our gov
.rnuent conclude to put them in exercise.
| altogether agree with you, though, that it
you'd not be st al desirable, for the present, if
,ver, 70 renew our former political uRioR with
my portion of the States Of the North with whom
We have been wsgiug this terrible war. True
wisdom requires hist ali movements, looking to
political reunion, even on the basis of our own
Constitution, should be deferred until ether gen
rations shall spring into existence, to whom
he tragic events which we have so painfully
shall be known only By the teachings
# history As to New Eoglsnd, am sure that
is best that we should have no intercourse
With her IN ell coming time She has brought
n tins war; il has been prosecuted thus far ex-
lusively for her benefit. Let her wear eternal
sck cloth and ashes on account of her crimi-
slity inexpiabl9.
I think that you need feel no uneasiness IN
egard to the adoption Of ths policy herein indi-
ated by our government. What viii be the
rscise mode of proceeding in dealing with this
eicate and momentous question, am not pre-
ared to state. 1t IS not to be reasonably doubted
nat the measures which may be adopted, will
q ju5ieiously prosecuted and promptly carried
ito effect
Uniting with you heartily in the hope that the
ear 1868 will witness the close of the present
eDlorsbe war, have the honor to be, very. cor
islly and respectfully, your friend and fellow
itzsn, II. S. FooTE