Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-09-07
pubrIc ree,inr a,,he south.

There are unmistakable indications that the
Southern people are tired of the war. and would
gladly return to their allegiance to the Union if
q way was opened which would not involve hu-
initiation and degradation. Some of the most
prominent men in the South. and a large portion
of the population, have taken no part in the war
and have contributed nothing to It's support ex-
cept by compuIsion. The Philadelphia Press, an
extreme supporter of the Administration,
in a letter from its + editor in Wash
ington. gives the statement of a
gentleman who had just arrived from the head
quarters of General GRANT, at Vicksburg. to the
same effect From these representations it APP
pears, and the editor of that print SO states it,
that the only trouble of the people sis how to get
back to the Preside with the least loss of property
and selfrespect." There is undoubted eyi-
dence that a similar state of feeling exists
throughout the Southern States. a few days
ago the Geographic dispatches referred to a let
ter which had been received in Washington
from a Mr.. ADAMS, a frieEd OF the
Administration. who had rscently returned
from a tour through Virginia, North
CaroIina, Georgia. Alabama. Tennessee. aud
Kentucky, representing that a strong Union SEN
timent existed among the people Of those States
The letter was published in full in the National
lnteIligeRcer of Saturday last. As a matter of
public interest we give the letter entire. with the
Introductory remarks of that print. as follows:
80 TO BE OR NOT TO BET
The very interesting letter inserted below Is
from a gentleman Of intelligence and honor. per-
sonIy well known to u, and whose statements of
fact are entitled to full credit. he is, moreover.
a thorough loyslist, aud has been a uniform and
decided friend of the Administration. The result
Of his observations in a recent aud extended tour
in the South he has thought of sufficient interest
70 be communicated to the public here and we are
sure that all OF our readers viii agree with him.
What he relates Of Southern feeling aud South
ern hopes can hardly surprise any one who can
imagine the extremity Of suffering and the multi
piled woes which the c~auseless rebellion has
brought 10 every family Of the South; but it is
only those who from birth or long association
understand the feeling in the South regarding
their slaves. Who can appreciate fully the fixed
ness and intensity of the Southern mind on the
subject
We are not surprised. therefore, that the ex
tremity Of suffering and the hopeiessness of the
rebellion combined should inspire even many of
those who were eager to enter into 1t with the
desire 20 retsace their steps and return to their
allegiance, as well rs the masses who were
forced into it; and We can well understand the
writer when he represents the question of eman-
cipation-regxrded in the South as involving
utter aud irremediable ruin to their conntry-as
the onlv substantial difficulty in the way Of a
restoration of the Union. IL is for those who
rule the destinies of this great country TO say
whether il shall, so far as depends on them, have
Union, and the Constitution, or immediate and
forcibIc emancipation, with ruin to a moiety Of
the country, protracted war and a violated Con-
s~fitution. How eloquent and forcible il the ap
peal with which the writer closes lis letter. and
which. Notwithstanding lie personal reference to
the Chief Magistrate, we take the liberty Of
placing bsf9e him: ,ssf1oo FteNeuvo1 49,
Ete1f 80 THE LETTER. l@st ~ -,