Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-09-07
ar would have been in great measure

war would have been in great measure
healed.
AS far as we are advised, the people of
the South entertain no unfrien6ly feeling
toward the Government of the United
States, but they complain that their rights
under the Constitution are withheld from
them in the administration thereof. The
idea that the Southern people are hostiie
to the negroes, and would oppress them II
IL were in their power to do so, is entirely
unfOunded. They have grown up In our
midst, and we have been accustomed from
childhood to look upon them with kind
ness. The change in the situation OF the
races has wrought no change in our feel
ings toward them. They still constitute
the important part of our laboring popu-
lation. Without their labor the lands of
the South would be comparatively unpro-
ductive; without the employment which
Southern agriculture affords, they would
be destitute of the means OF subsistence.
and become paupers, dependent on public
bounty. Self interest, even If there were
no higher motives, would therefore prompt
the whites OF the South to extend to the ne
grOes care and protection. The important
fact that the two races are,
under existing circumstances, necessary to
each other, is gradually becoming appar-
ent to both, and we believe that, but for in
fuences exerted to stir up the passions of
the negroes, the relations of the two races
would soon adjust themselves on basis of
mutual kindness and advantage. 1t Is true
that the people OF the South, together with
the people of the North and West, are, for
laws which would place the political pow
er of the enemy in the hands of the negro
race. but this opposition springs from no
feeling of enmity, but from a deep-seated
conviction that at present the negroes have
neither the intelligence nor the other quail
iflcations which are necessary to make
them safe repositories OF political power.
OF demagogues, who, for selfish purposes,
would mislead them, to the serious injury
of the public. aGE .sloW OF sr'ilri T1Gl
% The great want of the South is peace.
The people earnestly desire tranquility and
the restoration of the Union. They depre-
cate disorder and excitement as the most
serious obstacle to their prosperity. They
ask restoration of their rights under the
Constitution. Above all they would
appeal to their countrymen for the estab-
-lishment in the Southern States of that
which has justly been regarded the BIRTH
right of every American-the right of self
government. ...- ..t .-tI.
Establish this on firm basis, and we can
safely promise, on behalf of the Southern
people, that they will faithfully obey the
Constitution and laws of the United States,
treat the negroes with kindness and hu-
manity, and fulfill every duty incumbent
on peaceful citizens, loyal to the Constitu-
tiOn of their country.
We believe the above contains succinct
reply to the general topics embraced in
your letter, and we venture to say on be-
half of the Southern people, and OF the
officers and soldiers of the late Confederate
army. that they will concur in all the sem
timents which we have expressed.
Approaching the patriotic motives which
have prompted your letter, and reciprocal
ing your expressions OF kind regards, we
have the honor to be,
Very respectfully and truly,
r. E. LEE, Virginia.
w. T. Sutherlin, Va. G.. T. Beauregard, LIE.
A. r. James, La: AleX.H. Stephens, Ga
T. Beauregard, Texas Alex. III. H.Stuart, Ga.
M. o. II. Norton, La. @. M. Conrad, La.
T. P. Brance, Ga. SinUon Stephens, G a
II. T. Russell, Ga. A. T. Caperton, WV a
Sam. J.Douglass, Fla John Echols, Virginia
J. E. r. Morton, Va. F. S. Stockdale, Texas.
John B. Baldwin. Va.F. w. Pickens, s. G.
Geo. w. Balling, Va. VIM. j. Robinson, Va.
Theo. +. Conway, Val as. r. Anderson, Va.
Jas. Lyons, Virginia. VIM. F .Turner,W Va.
G. II. Sudee, s. c. E. Fontaine, Virginia
John Letcher, Va. B. G. Adams, Miss.
w. J. Green, N. c. Lewis E. Harie, Va.
P. V. Daniels, jun.
To General W. S. Rosecrans, Minister to
Mexico, White Sulphur springs.