Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1868-09-11

they had sworn to support. IL their ac-
ton in these particulars had been met ia a
spirit Of frankness and cordially, we be-
lieve that ere this old irritations would
have passed away, and the wounds inflicted
by the war would have been in a great
measure healed. As far as we are advised,
the people of tbs South entertain no nm
friendly feeling towards the government Of
the United States, but theJ complain that
their rights under the constitution are with.
held from them by the administrator
thereof.
The idea that the Southern people are
hostile to the negroes and would Cypress
them II 1t were il 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
kindness. The change in the relations of
the two races has wrought no change in our
feeling towards them. They still constitute
the important part of our laboring popua
ton. Without their labor the lands OF the
South would be comparatively uDproduc-
tive. Without the employment which
Southern agriculture affords they would
be destitute OF the means OF subsistence,
and become paupers, dependent on public
bounty.
9Oh-AhbCAOobg SNCu IL lucIb MtIo DO ulHu-
er motive, would therefore prompt the
whites of the South to extend to the me-
groes care All protection. The important
fact that the tWo races are, under existing
circumstances, necessary to each other, is
gradually becoming apparent to both and
we believe that but for influences exerted
to stir up the passions Of the negroes, the
relations of the two races would soon ad-
lust themselves on basis of mutual kind
ness and advantage.
1t Ia true that the people of the South,
together with the people OF the North and
Yves. are, for obvious reasons, opposed to
any system of laws which would place the
political power of the country in the hands
of the negro race. But this opposition
springs from no feeling of enmity, but from
q deep-seaLed conviction that at present
the negroes have neither the intelligence
or other qualifications, which are necessary
to make safe depOsitaries Of power. They
would inevitably become tue victims of
demagogues, VINO, for selfish purposes,
would mislead them TO the serious injury
Of the public.
The great want of the South is peace
The people earnestly desire tranquility
and the restoration of the Union. They
deprecate disorder and excitement as the
most serious obstacle to their future pros
perity.
They ask restoration IF their rights
under the constitution. They desire relief
from oppressive misrule. Above all, they
would appeal to their countrymen for the
re-establishment in the Southern States of
that which has justly been regarded as
the birth-right of every American citi-
zen-the right of self government. Estab-
lish these on firm basis, aud we can safely
promise on behalf OF the Southern people,
that they will faithfully obey the constitu-
ton of the United States, treat the negro
with kindness and humanity, and fulfil ey-
cry duty incumbent upon peaceful citi-
zens, loyal TO the constitution OF their
country.
We believe the above contains a 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 sailors of the late Confederate
army, that they will concur in all the senti-
ments which we have expressed.
Approaching the patriotic motives which
have prompted your letter, and reciprocal
ing your expressions OF kind regard, we
have the honor 10 be, very respectfully and
truly,
K. E. Lee, Va. B. G. Adams, Miss.
q. T. Beauregard, La w. j. Green, N. O.
A. II. Stephens, Ga. L. L. Harvie, Va.
A. IL. IL. Stuart, Va. p. V. Daniels, Jr. Va
U. NJ. Conrad, La. w. Il. Sutherin, Va.
Linton Stephens, Ga. A. B. James, La.
A 4 Caperton W Va. 7. Beauregard, Tex.
John Echols, Va. NJ. o. II. Norton, La.
+. s. Stockdale, Tex t. L. Brance, Ga.
+. w. Pickens, S. G. Ii. Il. Russell, Ga.
w. j. Robinson, Va. 5. T. Douglass, Fla.
W. F. turner, W Va J..B. Baldwin, Va.
G. II. Subee, s. G. G. w. Boiling, Va.
II. Fontaine, Va. Theo. Flournoy, v.
no. Letcher, Va. Jas. Lyons, Va.
To General W. S. Rosecrans, Minister to
Mexico, White Sulphur Springs, w. Va.