The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-06-25
LETTER FROM HON. z B. VANCE.
CHARLOTTE, n. G, June l6, 1867

CHARLOTTE, n. Z June 10, 1861.
To Nessrs. Jason Cooper, Lscar ArchbeH and Others
cotored citizens Of EIgecom6e and Nash Counties:
Sirs:-Your call upon Rev. Mr.. Williams, Elk Gov
Wise and myself to address you on the questions
now before the country, at such time and place
might select has been before me for time.
doping that | might be able to find an opportunity
to comply have this long delayed replying; but
finding that there is little certainty of my
being permitted by business engagements to do so,
have concluded to decline, and to answer your
invitation, as you requested. through the public
press.
| frankly confess, my friends, that did not hope
greatly profit you, had been able to speak to
you in person. Such industrious efforts have been
made to make you think i'll Of those who were lately
your masters, and to cause you to regard with dis
trust everything which they might do or say, that
had little hope of making you believe in either my
sincerity good will With some honorable
ceptions, the great of your people are 5ecom
ing widely eStranged from their former owners, and
it hardly possible for prevent it, mean-
choly as it is. Time will, however. soon show You
where your true interests are. Your good sense
will soon enable you to see that neither your dis
tant Northern friends. their dSrepntable camp
followers among the Southern Whites who are so
Jealous in your behalf now be of as much value
to you the true and consistent men of the South,
with whom you were born and raised.
However many friends a may have abroad,
be is i'll ease if his ncighbor is his enemy Thou
shall: love thy neighbor myself" is not only
divine command but is full Of worldly wisdom. If
you want kindness, you don't go to Massachusetts
for ID, but to your cghbOr; if yOu want employ
ment, you don't go to ranting poticans-you go
to your neighbour in short, in sickness or in health,
in prosperity or adversely, in JOY or sorrow we are
dependent for than half of that which renders
life enduraole upon neighbOrs. Your neighbors
aud your employers are those against whom they
are now seeking to array You, and greatly fear
they will succeed at first. Your old masters do not
come to you eating their own words and giving the
lie every profession of their lives; do they
come betrayng the rights and liberties of their own
color to ingraliate themselves with yours. Many
others do, however, and the majority of your people
will believe them, until they learn very plain and
simple TRUTH that bad man among the Whies scW be
just bad, srorse, among The blacks and the
! change of sides is far from making honest man
of a hypocrite and :rickster.
Much damage will doubtless be done before your
people see the designs Of those who wish to lead
them now, but hope soon for better things. When
actual and bitter experience has opened your eyes,
then will be our time 10 address you with hope of
success. When you to know the true power
of pital and labo" combined in friendly effort how
dependent the one is upon the other and how ruin
to both is enmty and disrust. then shall hope
TO see the day when slavery shall be abolished in
fact both for black and white, and when, animated
by a common spirit of industry, harmony. and love
of country and of human progress all shall labor
make State blossom as the rose, and turn her
waste places into seats of refinement and delight.
My word for it, my friends, there is not good man
/ among your former masters but prays for the hour
to come when he may, without DISTINGUISHING him.
self, work for you'll As you are to be citizens, we
you to be intelligent citizens you are TO
be cghbors, want you to be kind and loving
neighbors. In every aspect of the case, it is our
true interest to help you fit yourselves for the new
life to which you called. If you will permit US,
we will do it.
| Thanking you for the confidence yonr invitation
manifests in my desire to do You good at all events,
and trusting that the same quiet and oommendabte
! spirit which characterized your during four
years of terrible civil war may continue to animate
you during the times through which we passing,
| in all good feeling and amity, remain,
| Most sincerely your friend,
| ZEBULON B. VANCE.