Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1865-02-21
January II, 1868.
For the Standard.

For the STANDARD.
Mr. EDIroR:-I have seen and heard much Of
late said in the papers, and heard various classes Of
people express their opinions relative to Q letter
said to bo written by Gen. Lee, in which he recon-
mends the unconditional emancipation Of all our
slaves, and the putting in the army of 800 900 Of
them. And, as an additional inducement- to make
them fight for the Confederacy, he proposes to re.
ward them with bounties of money or land, or
something else of value
Can it be possible that the Commandsr-in- Chief
of the armies of the Confederacy has written such
letter containing SO mOnstrous proposition Or
have our authorities at Richmond determined to
conceal from our view everything relating to the
management Of the war Surely It is high time the
people should know these things especially those
in the army as well as those who own slaves. For
one confess that | am slow to believe that Gen..
Lee has written such letter. that Congress will
attempt to carry out any such scheme. ! do not
doubt but that the madcaPs from Missouri and Ken
tucky are favor Of anything proonging this war and
the uncertain tenure of their seats But from this
State surely there is no member who favors such
barbarous and inhuman measure. And yet fear
there arc some of our members who are willing TO
try this scheme, in order TO secure independence
they think Heaven deliver us from all such
statesmen and such independence as would be
thereby secured. D.
do not think hazard much in saying that those
who advocate this negro measure do not intend
shouldering their muskets, and taking a place in
the rank and file Of our armies alongside the negro
Besides Mr. Editor, any one acquainted with the
generalization of camp life must fear, aye, shudder
at, the consequences which will follow the placing
of the negro in the army. 1t is enough 70 expose
our white men to the hardships of camp life with.
out compelling them to herd with negroes and for
get that distinction Of caste which now divides the
two races How hard for the battle SCARED veteran
to come down to live with freed negro and divide
honors with him, 1t is too much for the Anglo
Saxon to endure for day. --...-
To have our slaves freed at once is bad enough,
but to have them raised to the level of the white
man and then turned loose amongst US is horrible.
What say our women? They can but execrate it
Will North. Carolina submtI For one, 1 know
enough OF the temper and mind of our people in and
out Of the army to say they will not Let our
members of Congress vote a. they may, we are not
going to stultify ourselves. =
: Greensboro, FEB. 18th, 1900 Il,
1t is true, as hinted by our correspondent that
Gen. Lee has written letter proposing to arm q
large number of male slaves, and to provide for
the gradual emancipation Of al the slaves. We
have seen copy of the letter. 1t is addressed to
citizen of Virginia. We think the letter should
!. be published. The opinions of Gen. Leo on any
subject are entitled to consideration and besides
the people of the South, all of whom are deeply
interestedin this vial question, have right to full
inform alton as to what is said done by their ser.
wants in relation to so grave matter.-StGnddrd.