The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-08-10
Richmona 4ispattk.
FRIDAY. AUGUST 10, 1866.

Tnterestfnx Letter from Hon. n.
BIair-GeneraI Lees Position be-
fore the War-The Course OF South.
ern Statesmen.
Editor Of Evening Post:
Nv Dear Sir,-A writer in your paper
makes severe anilnadversions on the Hon.
Alexander II. Stephens, provoked, it
seems, by a letter written by him to me.
His assuasive tone, the patriotic feeling,
the resigned, self.denying deyotedness
with which he acqnesces in the fortune
metcd out to himself in common with his
fellow citizens of the South, and would
now turn adversely itself to good account
by making it rebound to a more close,
more cordial, and secure union than that
which preceded hostilitics, finds no tolera-
ton. 1t is amazing, after the horrid strug-
gle in which our kindred Of all the States
have been decimated, that any one should
now be found unwilling to be appeased and
to renew frsternal feeling. Mr.. Stephens'S
great crime, in the eye of the Posts con-
tributor, is, that the same spirit now ami
mates him that made that most eloquent
of all appcals-his speech to the people
OF Georgia to arrest the revolution
AIRY conflict at the opening by prcvcntin.
the secession Of Georgia from the Union,
and which now pleads for its restoration,
having in the interval stood by his State
and the South. But is there anything un-
natural or unpardonablc in this' Do we
not see the highest intelligence and noblcSt
sensiblity that adorn our nature drawn to
the side of those who have fallen into
error from honorable motives, although
these motives may have been instllcd into
the community by artfuI, intriguing, sell
fish men for selfish ends at war with the
public good' Does not every candid mind
now perceive, that looks back to the
thirty years history Of secession, that it
was q war Of sections that gradually
brought to the issue and trial of battle, by
the ambition of few political leaders who
availed themselves Of the difference in the
great common interests North and South,
which had prevailing sway over the minds
of masses in the two sections to produce
the belief that there was an irreconcilable
incompatibility between them, rendering
separation inevtabes Everybody knows
that there were multitudes Of enthusiasts
on both sides who urged on this quarrel, un-
der the delusion that it was a mere matter
of discussion, which would be terminated
by pcaccablc separation, or pass off like
other political questions, by collapse Of
the inhammatory feeling melted by debate.
All such disputants and the great body of
the people were taken by surprise on the
outbreak of the war, organized by the
secret cabal of conspirators. But when
the war came, in spite of all appeals Of
sober-mindcd patriots to stay its fury
when the thunder of cannon had begun
what could the lovers Of peace in either
section do but submi; to the force with
which they We're surrounded III the States
to which they belonged General Lee
said to my father, when hc was sounded
by him, Mt the request of President Lin
coin, about taking command of our army
against the rebellion, then hanging upon
the decision of the Virginia Convention,
"Mr. Blair, look upon secession az
anarchy. If owned the four millions Of
slaves in the South, would sacrifice them
all to the Union but how can | draw my
sword upon Virginia, my native State 7"
He could not determine then; said he
would consult with his friend General
Scott, and went on the same day 10
Richmond, probably to arbitrate ditt-
cuties; and We see the result. 1t Is
hard for noble mind to tear itself from
home, kindred, friends, and native soil,
and 90 into opposite ranks TO crush them
all. This was the case of Stephens as well
as Lee. 1t was the case Of nearly every
elevated soul in the South when the Co.
rernment OF the United States, delinquent
in all its duties, had failed to make pre-
paraton 10 arrest violence at the outbreak,
and cure the phrcnZy by binding it in the
beginning, and prevent its running on until
it became sectional war, and, in effect,
national ,rar, in its influences OH the people
Of both sections, who were brought to con-
slider the success Of the one the subjuga-
ton Of the other. As tho South grew
weaker, and began to staggcr under the
heavy blows of the gigantic North, oil her
brave spirits rallied to her support. Even
the slaves were moved by the natural in
stinct, for when all the white men, young
and old, had left their homes, their women
and children to he protected and fed by
their superior strength, they would not de-
sert to our conquering army as it marched
through the shrinking South, but fed
with its panic-stricken families, and gave
them aid and comfort. In this did not
the blacks prove themselves loyal
people Would not the white man have
proved himself recreant if, under such
circumstances, he had gone over to the
invaders! When the affairs Of the South
were absolutely desperate, and President
Lincoln had sent message inviting peace
on terms that Mr. Davis at one time seemed
inclined to take, the commissioners ap-
pointed by him-Hunter, Stephens, and
Campbcll-wcrc all anxious to conclude
the war on the terms our President pro-
posed. These gentlemen were for union
and peace. Mr.. Davis, who had in charge
the cause of the South, insisted on indc-
pendcncc. Could the commissioners vio-
late. the trust which, according to the
shape given by events to the cause they
represented, and which they were bound
to consider that of whole people, was
committed to Mr.. Davis! Could they
take upon themselves to say it was treason,
and commit all that concerned it to the
ayJitrun of Mr.. Lincoln! The aspects to
which thus alludc show that the spread
and continuance of war puts new face
on that which, at its inception, was trea-
son. The war upon King Charles |. in its
inception was treason. II ceased to be
treason long before the English Com
monwealth was established. Our war
for independence, when the first blood was
shed at Lexington, was held in England to
be treason. 1t ceased to he thought so
long before our Republic was recognized
as nation. History is full of explanation
showing the distinction between violence
and wrong proceeding from the heart Of
community, and that without such war
--4 .ln..h rrinninr Ernn, tho in,nnlsn of