The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1864-02-03
Cerrespondencs OF the Lansing Republican.
From tho Navy.
z. g. FLAG SHIr "SAx JAoISfo,"
Oh Mobile, 9Th Jan, 1868.


Oh Mobile, 9th Jan, 1853
Ed. REPUBLICAN Maybe you and your read
srs are tired Of my frequent contributions,
but, whenever anything occurs Of interest TO
US in the service, the first thought is, 1.-The peo-
pie in Lansing would like to know about this. "
Now, when you Grs weary, write me" and I'll
stop.
Yesterday we captured the blockade runner
l." Rnehnck." from Havana. with Q cargo OF
medicines, rope, oskum, salt, coffee, &C, in all
worth cay $4,000, al low estimate We
sighted her Just at daylight. She lowered her
sails to escape observation, but Of no avail
In two hours we had her alongside, aud when
the Captain was asked where she was bound
to-" his sensible yet somewhat profane answer
was, id if know, waiting for you, l reckon,
heard you would be on the lookout for me'
His name is John +. BANTER and he is de-
cidedly character. An out aud out rebel,
deceived, yet sincere in his 80 called loyalty"
TO bad cause, outspoken in all things-claim-
ing all that is favorable to them-acknowledg-
ing all that is bad-he has given me much
Information as to the condition Of affairs in
aud about Mobile. Fer them, be claims that
the war has developed the resources Of the
South-tbst hands unused to toll are now en-
gagged in providing for their soldiery. The
women attend to their knitting" and sewing
the fair danes aud damseIs that scorned
labor, now are forced TO work. And Enls is
about all that he or any other rebel can claim.
have argued from the first, that this was a
war between opposing and enduring forces"
Uf the ultimate event none can doubt, yet it il
but natural that each section should develop
powers hitherto to them unknown. We, OF the
North, are the s.rongsst-we shall succeed be
cause We can snSurs. Aud yet not by that
alone. The God that made US powerful, still
reigns. How full OF thought is subject
like this, and, Inadvertently, have been led
from the original design Of this letter. We
will return.
The stories about high prices" &C., are fully
confirmed by Captain Banifsrs accouat By
the p0und, beef, sl.S4, pork, sl.42, coffee, &ls,
tea can't be had. In fact everything save their
staples, tobacco and cotton, is enormously high.
He had pair of pants with him that be paid
s75 for-homespua at that. II Ingersollp
didn't sell them for IS, his reputation would
be ruined. But the test is the money market
in Havana. Their Confederate money goes
hard at Eve cents on the dollar-ours is easily
disposed of at from 20 to 7sc. This shows the
relative strength OF the contending parties.
SO much. land yet so little) for domestic affairs
Now for the political phase, for there all the
interest centers.
Last evening 1 had 4 long talk with this
rebel, and perhaps it would be well to give IL
TO you in the form Of dialogue.
Question. Capt why did you Ere on SUMTER
Answer. Because We wanted it,
Q. Why did You want it.
A. To protect our rights.
Q. What rights'
a. Why, our rights, Of course, you know
what mean. You 36oIitionists have bsen try
ing for years to deprive us Of our rights.
Q. OH State rights, You have reference to
A. Yes that's tive wanted to keep cur
Q. Captain, did you ever read the platform
upon which Mr.. Lincoln was nominateds
A. No, never saw it.
O. Are you aware that the Republican party
declined TO interfere with what you call State
rghtsf
A. / never heard OF it before.
Q. You read the inaugural address!
A. No, our folks would not allow 1t to be
said IL was not ct for q gen.
tleman to read.
Q. But. surely. you know, or must have
heard that the President stated bis intention TO
protect you in all rights that you could claim
under the Constitution
A. No, our folks said that Lincoln wa, bound
to wipe out slavery-that he liked Niger,
more than VIII to men.
Q Don't you like niggersg
A. No. don't, hate 'em.
Q you hate them, why do you try TO keep
hemf
A. Oh! we'll it's an abolition war any way
Tou may talk till doomsday, bat you can't con-
'ince ne
And so thought, and gave up the subject |
ak of moving mountains' my faith is strong
nough but faith and works failed in this case |
{ is a fact patent 10 every one who has The op-
OF investigating that there is most
eplOrable ignorance among the rebels a. to
ur intent at the outset They see, they knox,
hat HOE Union victory is blow directly at
be heart of slavery. if there is any heart in
|. But it is very hard, and in the case above
oted, impossible. TO convince rebel WHY il
as that We organized an army aud eonssrocted
navy.
Time brings experience, and that teaches rs
nd them, valuable yet severe lessons Il has