The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1864-11-26

LETTER FROM GEN. SIBERIAN. I
How our people are to be treated.
HEApo'Rs. DEPARTMENT or TENNESSEE, I
Vicksburg, January Jst. )
MAJOR r. NJ. SAWYER. A. A. G..
!. Army OF the Tennessee. Huntsville:
!, DEAR SAwYER:--In my former letter have
answered all your questions save one, and that
relates to the treatment of inhabitants known or
suspected to be hostile or "secesh.''
y This il in truth the most difficult business of
onr army. as it advances and occupies the South
efn country 1t is almost impossible to lay
down rules. and invariably leave this whole
subject to the local commanders. but ann willing
to give them the benefit of my acquired knowl-
edge and experience.
The United States. as a belgerent party
claiming right in the soil as The ultimate sover-
eign, have right TO change the population, and
itnay be and is both polite and best We should
do so in certain districts.
When the inhabitants persist too long in hos
tiIity. it may be both polite and right that we
should Danish them and appropriate their lands
to more loyal and useful population. No man
win deny that the United States wonld be basss-
fitted By dspossessing single prtjndiced, hard
headed and disloyal planter and substituting, in
his place, a dozen or more patient, industrious,
good families. even il they be Of foreign birth.
think It does good to present this view of the
case to many Southern gentlemen. who grew
rich and wealthy, not by virtue alone Of their
industry and skill, but by reason of the protec-
ton and impetus to prosperity given by our
hitherto moderate and magnaninlous govern.
ment. It is all idle nonsense, for these Southern
planters to say that they made the South; that
they own it, and can do as they please. even to
the breaking mp of our government, and to shut
up the natural avenues Of trade, intercourse, and
commerce. es
We know and they know, if they are intelIi-
gent beings. that as compared with the whole
world, they are not as five millions are to one
thousand millions; that they did not create the
land; that their only title to its use and enjoy
ment is the deed of the United States, aud il
they appeal to war. they hold their all by a very
Insecure tenure.
For my part, believe that this war is the re-
sult,of false political doctrine for which we are
all as a people responsible, viz: that any and
every people has right TO self-government; and
would give all chance, to reflect, and when in
erro- to recant. / know slave owners, finding
themselves in possession of "a species of property
in opposition to the growing sentiment of the
whole civilized world, conceived their property
in danger and foolishly appealed to war. and
] by skilful political handling involved with them
Nfhe whole South on the doctrine af error and
fbrejudice. i believe that some Of the rich and
1save-hciding are prejudiced to- an extent that
nothing but death and ruin will extiaguish. but
hope that as the poorer and industrial classes Of
the South realize their relative weakness. and
their dependence upon the fruits of the earth
and the viii of their fellow. men, they will not
only discover the error Of their ways and repens
OF their hasty action, but bless those who per
sistently maintained a constitutional government.
strong enough to sustain ITSELF protect its eli.
gems, and promise peaceful homes to millions yet
unborn.
In this belief, while assert for our govern
nent the highest military prerogatives, am
willing to bear in patience that political ronsence
OF slave rights, State rights, freedom of con-
science. fFeedom Of press, and such other trash,
us have deluded the Southern people into the
war, anarchy, boodshed, and the folilest crimes
that have disgraced any time Or any people.
- would advise the commanding officers At
Huntsville and such other towns as are occupied
by our troops. to assemble the inhabitants and
explain to them these plain, self.evident pronos-
tons. and tell them that ii is for them now to saw
whether they and their children shall inherit
their share The Government of the limited
States has in North Alabama any and all righfs
which they choose 10 enforce in wat.--to take
fheir lives, their homes, their everything, BE-
caase they cannot deny, that war does not exist
There, and warts simply power OF unrestrained
BY constitution or compact If they want eternal
warfare, well and good; we win accept the issue
and dispossess them. and put our friends ii, pos-
session Iknow thousands and millions Of pood
people, who OF simple notice, would come ID |
North Alabama and accept the elegant houses
and plantations there.
fthe people Of Huntsville think different. let
them persist irI the war three years longer, ana
then they viii not BIZ consulted Three years
agos by 4 little reflection and prudence thew
could have had 81 hundred years DC psace and
prosperity. hut thsy preferred war Very well, !