Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1868-09-11
THE RosEcRANs CONFERENCE
Reluctant Action Of the SOuthelnerg.

heluctant Action OF the SOutherners.
PARTIouLARs OF THE COMPILATION
The CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN.
ROsECRANs-REPLY OF GES. LEE AND
OTHER PROMINENT SoUTHERNERs--PEA
THE WANT OF THE SoUTH-RELATIoNs OF
THE Two RAcEs-SuFFRAGE AND THE Con-
DITIoN OF THE NEGRo-RIGHT OF SELF
GOvERNMENT-0 BEYAYcE OF THE CONsTi-
TUITION, SC.
From The baltimore Stu,.l
WASHINGTON, September 4.--Well inform
ed gentlemen, just returned from the White
Sulphur Springs, make such statements
concerning the interview of Gen. Rosecrans
and Southern Generals there as put that
interview in light 10 which it has not been
hitherto exhibited. The distinguished
Southern gentlemen there assembled for
health and pleasure only, aud not for any
political purpose, received the General with
that kindness and courtesy due 80 a distiu-
guished officer, but Anticipated no formal
conference upon the political situation, I'M
til Gen. Rosecrans himself began to pro-
PROFOUND questions which the parties ques-
toned were compelled either to answer, or
by their silence TO cause, perhaps, an erro-
Deous impression as TO their views to get
abroad. From the best sources Of informa-
tion il appears. however, that these gentle
men would have preferred to have discussed
almost any subject rather than that indica-
ted by Gen, Rosecrans. They were upon
neutral ground, for, acc ording TO the legisla-
ton of Congress, the State OF Virginia is not
to be permitted to Participate in the pTesiden
tial election. They felt, too, that Their
opinions were already well enough known.
They had laid down their arms and admit
ted the conqueriDg power of the North;
they had fully accepted the situation and
determined 10 follow path of true alleg-
ance to the constitution of the 'United
States; they were content to be the passive
objects which the people of the North were
to control in their Efforts TO organize the
government and put 1t upon au enduring
basis, and they therefore were reluctant to
being drawn from the retirement they had
voluntarily sought and placed prominently,
and as central figures in, the contest now
in progress. They had no desire to be the
means, positively or negatively, OF creating
any new issue in the campaign, and were
not ambitious In the present emergency Of
being the authors OF any new plank for eth
er the Southern people or the democratic
party Of the country. They were intelli-
gsnt gentlemen, who had carefully noted
the progress of events, and did not believe
that their Individual opinions as TO South
ern sentiment ard Southern probable cotton,
would IN the least affect the general result,
for they knew that all in the North 5ho de-
sired to fully understand the Southern sit.
uation aud Southern people could come 70
an intelligent conclusion without their aid
at this time and they also knew well tina.
nothing they could say would convince tina
class ia the North who were wilfuily blind
i 4 Il -. ntun No rnf
the South unless It eminatcd from radical
sources. They had no idea, when they first
freely gave their views and opinions to
Gen. Rosecrans In his self imposed mission,
that what was done would BIO dignided by
the name of a formal conference, or that the
interviews would assume the importance
subsequently given to them by the press and
people throughout the country.
NV informant is satisfied that IL the els
tinpuished Southern gentlemen with whom
Cen, Rosecrans conferred, had the control
of the whole subject, The result Of the inter
views would not no made public at least
for the present. While no evil consequen-
SEES could possibly follow the publication, it
is not believed il could DO prodnetsSv of
In consequence Of the prominence given
10 the whole subject, however, u was con-
cluded that something should be said, aud
hance a letter was written in reply 70 one
rom GEN. Rosecrans, embodying views on
certain points, but, 1t viii be seen, avoiding
ali partisan reference. This. letter was
signed first by Gen. Lee, and subsequently
the other signatures were appended, as
heretofore stated. The following Is the
correspondence
Gen. RoSscrdnS' Latter.
WuIre SULPHUR SPRINGS, WEsr Va, I
August &c, 1868.
General Full Of solicitnde for theluture
NJ our country, come with my heart in
NV hand 10 learn tho condition, Wishes and
intentions of the people OF the Southern
states; especially 10 certain the senti-
menis Of that body OF brave, energetic and
self-sacridciDg men who, after sustaining
the Conftderucy for four years, laid down
their arms and swore allegiance 10 the gov
ernncut Of the uoited States, whose trusted
ana beloved leader you have been.
see that interpreting " States rights "
10 conflict with national unity has produced
A violent reaction against them, which Is
drifting us towards consolidation, and also
that 40 great country as ours even now Is,
certainly Is 70 be, nlast have Sta'e govern
ments 10 attend 90 local detAgs,or go father