Washington telegraph., 1865-01-18
0UEs EETERT.

VG Is ~ S - r..
SIR. EDITOR: There seems to be a
degree of nervoas weakness and timid
shrinking on tie part Of orr people in
regard to the discussion Of our future
destiny, and the alternatives that are
naturally suggesled to rehsctive minds
aa to what is best for us, should the
Northern Government eventually prove
too strong for SonthorR valor. Too many
OF our citizens, whatever their private
thoughts may be, deem it almost trea-
sonab!e to acknowledge the possibility
Of failure in the achievement Of Sonth-
srn Independence. With stolid "a
talism that wonld do credb 10 Mohan
cdan, they coIsfort themselves With q
belief tha: right n1st be snoceasful, and
say, Der cause is just. God is great
and we rln5t succsedW Alas tie his-
tory Of the past teaches ne that the iuB-
tice Of cause does not III inevitable
necessity ensure success. The sad Rto-
~ of Greece, 80 long the slave Of the
Turk, of Hungary, 81 Ireland, and tile
late brief butgallant struggle NJ P7lsnd,
Q struggle Which, BUS for our cwn ail
absorbing troubles, would have excited
the tear Of S9uthsrn sympathy, Al! teach
Us a sad but usofuI lcssoa, and one that
Southern people would 80 vel td st7dv.
But already hear tile reader ask, :. IT.
what pnrpose these nllusions TO tho
disastrous results oF freedoms struggles
in other lands I5 the writor already
coaquered! No, sir, nsr d. | as yet.
npprehend anything so deplorable. but
[ wish TO throw oat q few thoughts as
to what ! consider the wisest course.
ehould result 80 terrible threaten us
for In vic~ OF a.l the circumstencas
that surround Ga, every sensible man
will admit that such an event, although
at this time improbable, is vet within
the range of possibility. But il NAV
be answered. There IL no prospects u
subjugation the South can never be
conquered besides this is 40 time 10
diGcuss those questions N viii be tilnc
enough when Cur armies are dishanded.
and the country overrun y With def
ereace, not 50 il will ihcn be- too late
What we do must be done while we
have armies in tho field. to assist those
whom we may desire. foT considera.
ton. TO come to orr rescue. No nation
on the earth would ba so unr7ise nr
Qnixotic as 10 hazard an attempt to
wrest Us from Federal power, after wa
had been subjugst'd our armies dos
tgoyed, our slaves erarciPatsd, cur
property conhscstsd, and q northern
army, flushed with victory, ready u
disPuto our possession ay, and Success
fully TOO, FOR al army that could con
quer the South world bc able ~ cope
with any civilized nation on the globe
Whatever We would ~ 10 eyaGe the
dread alternative of degraded slavery
TO northern desp0tism, should en- alter
native 50 fatal present itself, must be
dono while wo have government ia
Gct for Us as people, and armies u
make that government respected. But
says The reader, What ~ vou BRO
poss ?" First, let me ask yoH a qucE
lion. What alternative would You be
willing TO accept in preference to be.
lag subjUgated by Lincoln But wa
can't he !" Never mind admit the BOZ.
sibiity for the sake Of argument and an
swcr me. Il would Infinitely prefer
snnihilation !" just 70, fairly answer.
ed, and now permit me, a fouthern
nan, orc who has wife and children.
oue whose evary hope, interoas ana tie
il connected with Tie South ea4 the
success of her cause. and who yields 10
no man in devotion to my ccunirr, to saw
to you what I would prefer. I would
have President Davis By and with the
advice and consent Of The Confederate
Congress assembled, send Commission
ers TO the French Emperor, aud tender
to hin the ailegisnce Of the Ecrthorn
Confcdoracy Gs French Provinces. ask
ing French protection aud aid against
eur northern iocs, of course resorvinr
10 ourselves all necessary rights ard
privileges. Who would not prefer To-
day that tho South shoRla hold posi-
ti1n relative 10 France that TIE Cana
dss DO 70 Englnnd, than that wa and
our children should w hewers of wood
and drawers Of water for tho insolcHt
and hated Yankee But It may bs
asked, Why not make the Offer W.
England, eh9, rs manufacturing DOW
CT, you'd prize Ts fer oar cotton 7" d.
cause she has, duriar tho entire war. Mn
every instance where the interests Of
the North and South wore at issne.
contrary to every maxim Of information.
al law, and every sentiment or iugtice
and humanity. favored tho North at the
expense OF the South Because she has
" invoked at our calamity and laughed
when our fear came and would not
scruplc, If such q proposition were
made TO her, to botray us into the hands
of eur enemy. One great incentive tc
southern men in placing ourselves un-
dor French protection would be the hope
that we might tome day, with French
assistance, repay tho wrongs she h7a
hespcd upon us, and humble her pride ii
the dust. There aro other considerations
which would render Q connection with
France desirable not the least impor.
tant Of which is sho fact that large
portion of the Confedcracy, more par
ticultrly the Southwest, Was at tho be-
ginning Of this c,ntury French terrific
ry, and many Of CIR best and wealthissi
citizens boast with pride Of choir French
descent The Province of Louisiana w
that time comprising what arc row tho