The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-28
GENERAL LONGSTREET.
His Estimate of General Grant-His
Plan Of Reconstruction - Congress
should be Supported.

should be Supported.
General james Longstreet has written the
following patriotic letter.
LYNCHBURG, Va, Nov. "a My Dear Sir:-
Many of our Southern men seem TO have lost sight
OF the fundamental doctrne-the interest of the
pe eople-in their zeal to maintain their ideas OF
consistency, which consists in adherng TO old
truths whether they work for veal or Tor woe.
| regret that am not better prepared to meet
your wishes for information in regard to the
future policy of our new President. Although |
have had the pleasure OF several interviews
with him, within the last few years, have not
sought to learn his appreciation OF political
questions of the present or ol the future.
| regard his past course and decided character
as the surest guarantees of his future course.
The floating idea that has attached itself
to the minds of the many, that he may yet prove
to be Democrat, Is like many other specula-
tons that gain circulation and credence; but
only serve to deceive those who are credulous
enough to indulge them. 1t we recall to mind
the events of the last two years, we sbail re-
member that General GRANTS position at one
time was such as to insure his nomination for
President by the party that he might choose as
most in &C cord with his views OF public policy;
and subsequent events indicate that his personal
popularity is such as 10 have turned the balance
in his favor. 1t seems to me unreasonable,
therefore, to expect TO find him, at this late day,
seeking alliance with the old party. His ante
cedents clearly mark him as national man,
and OF such he gives assurance of his adhesion
to the party whose basis is the Union, aud that
the influence of his administration will be
applied to its complete and prosperous restora-
ton. fair-minded people must know,
however, that no individual, unaided, can acco n
plt>h this great purpose. he must needs have
the assistance of the North, of the South, of the
East, and of the West. Having assurances of
cooperation from other parts of the country,
he only wants that of the South to complete the
combination which will give to his administra-
tion happy advent, and comfortable .icpa-
tions ofits salutary progress. That the people
OF the South desire practical reconstruction
there can be no doubt; bat it seems to be diff
cult to develop that sentiment so as to produce
practical results. Drifting along in the channel
into which chance seems to have thrown me,
begin to find myself, like many others, ready
with my theory. As it may Interest you, | give
you concise statement of it. If you find that
you can make it useful, you are at liberty to do
so:-The wealth of the South lies in its soil.
If this proposition is true, its sequents are
equally SO.
j. Labor is essential to make that wealrh
available. 2. To command labor, laws must
encourage and protect it. Also their co-se-
quents. 10 encourage and inti'e labor, eyl-
dences of protection must be made manifest
through the operation of law upon labor that
we have. Hence, 1t appears that the value of
our lands depends upon our labor, our labor
upon the law, and the law upon us. failure
upon our part, therefore, to enact and enforce
proper laws, will be as fatal TO the interests of
the owners of real estate as con6scation. And
yet, all that Congress asks us to do is to avail
ourselves of the only means by which we may
avoid serious depreciation of our material in
terests That is, this will be the practical
result of reconstruction, under national legisla-
ton, upon our interests The moving cause of
that legislation, probably, was security for the
future" Here we may discover the line that
should mark our connection with reconstruc-
ton. IL begins and ends in our care for home
interests. 1t will be time enough to begin to
look into the future when we have provided for
the present. The politicians of the old school
seem anxious TO Impress upon the minds of
our young men the Importance of rejecting
all propositions coming from the Republican
party, or else they dishonor their own blood
and the blood of their fallen comrades. But
gentlemen should remember that they only dis
honor their comrades when they dishonor them
selves, and that there cannot be dishonor in
ready obedience TO law and 8 proper care for
our own welfare. On the contrary, TO discard
the law and expose ourselves to unnecessary
difficulties is near akin to dishonor. 1t is true
that many worthy persons are disiranchlsed
under the law, but the readiest and surest means
Of relief are through the law. | conclude, there
fore, that interest, and duty. and honor demand
that we should place ourselves in a condition
TO support the laws of Congress. When we have
done so, we shall receive abundantly of help
from the Executive, and from the other men,
beTs OF the Government. ! remain, very truly
yeuTs, JAMES LoNGsTREET
Mr., John H. Dent, Cave Spring, Ga.