Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1864-04-03
sEETImRNF OF mzssIssIPPI.

EDITORS APPEAL: read with much sur
prise iu your paper of yesterday, Letter
from the Army" respecting the spirit and posi-
Iion of Mississippi. It surely cannot be from
the pen of Misaissippian.
Tho writer asks this question, HAS the spirit
of the people of Mississippi been broken p"
and then remarks that i. requires "strdicd
answer" Her sons in this army, Messrs. Edi-
tors, require no study TO answer il. But, am
constrained 10 ask, who raised this question
What reason is there for its being asked or en-
sRered7 What has occurred il the action of
the people of Mississippi to warrant such an in
quiTy'
It is really the mere prelude to another ques-
tiOn, to the discussion Of which the letter is
msinly devoted. The writer says if he were
asked, care the people of Mississippi prepared
70 sacrifice their slaves and the right to hold the
negro in bondage, in consideration of peace and
pro.eetiou7" he is seriously inclined to sn-
sger, yes" In supper. of this assumption lie
continues:
1t is L feet well known, in the economy of
affairs, that when property losss its TsmuneYs-
tive qualities and becomes (very nL!urslly)
burden TO the holder, be will quickly seek to
divest himself of the responsibilities that its
tenure entails. So it is with slavery, of which
as property becoming an expense, the people
speedily entertain ideas of abolishment. In G
large portion Of the Ststs of Mississippi which
has been devastated By the enemy, the slsYes
have bscoms burdens, On the hands Of their
owners, and an apathy, startling to behold, is
eYinesd a. the real and prospective loss of this
species of property. This can be dedueed from
two causes, tO-wit, slavery is 5 burden, and the
inhabitants have lost confidence, if they ever
had any, in its Divine" endurance or cOntinu-
alton.
This is certain, they contemplate the exist
ence Of the institution" as 3 contingency not
so much affecting their sacred ard iDslien$ble
rights, as q great political issue in which the
world hgs joined hands against us.
After giving bis version Of the condition and
views of the people CT Mississippi, he suggests
that their continent might be attacked by some
as ssvOring Of "dislOyaliy,' and proceeds to
excuse it IS follows:
en- identified with no attacks rs the unfoF-
tuuate citizen myself l sm liberal enough,
hope 70 allow the Nre!ehed bsing, with knife
at his throat 10 make terms consistent with his
own view Of the Situation" In other words
1 AnVbh EchIhAg buUhIllDd ~ kAb EUlNHu Au1Hf
=" Do INTO others IS you would have them do
unto you" Then let us, in q genial spirit Of
l.bsTklity, not visit tho misfortunes Of the un-
fortunate too heavily On their heads. God
knows they have enough of sorTows. Ii our
armies cannot protect them, leave them, ! de-
mand, the benefit that msy arise from subscrib-
ing to the cid Kiopie motto, " Bend to the
storm"
This, in connection with tie former para
graphs quoted, sounds very much like an argu.
meus in behalf of what were the views Of the
writer, instead Of the people Of Mississippi.
Be that as it may, Mississippi needs no such
apology. She regards hsrself as 10 wretched
being th knife at his throat" Her people
have suffered much, but they are in no such
s5j sot condition as to barrier rights for peace
and protection !" and they will understand
that no such barter could bring them peace"
or protection" worth having. Tbs fscl is,
ours is not merely struggle for the right to
hold slaves. it has broader foundation than
one right. II is struggle for The numerous
and vast rights which constitute ssIfgSUsrH
msHt ; and were slavery taken out of the Issue
| tomorrow, resistance of Yankee despOtisn--
separation from those who do not comprehend
the nature Of constitutions! governmsnt-weuld
DO none the less imperative. The sooner every
man ia the COnfsdsrsey fully understands this
tho better.
IhAve been in Mississippi within the last twt
months hear from the State by letter, b.
those visiting their homes, and through the press
l sm in daily association With persons from va
rious portions Of the State, and have yet &
hear of the sentiment which the writer attrib
utes to our people,. Il is inferred, because the,
exhibit, he says, ca apathy" at the " loss " Q
BlsVs property. Well, THANK God, there er
some people in the Confsderacy who DO nc
regard thoir property az their call" an
who can look upon its loss with conposurC
North Mississippi has been longest at th
mercy of the enemy, and has suffered most 81
verely. And yet, the constant information !
shat our people ere cheelfal and hepeful-mar
unyieldiUg than ever. Throughout the Stat
too, there is a general absence of lie fAmir
prices which tflici msDy portions of the laut
where the presence OF the enemy has never il
tsrrupted the avocations of life. They hay
felt Yankee rule; they have experienced Ysnke
rspseisy and brutality and they are for iad
: vsudsncs-not mere meAt-and-bresd "peSee an
protection" B. b.
LoUIsIANA-The New York ROrIG's Ne
o.l..,, corrssnondent ssvs every plantation Q