New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-09-05
GEN. RosECRASs TO GEN. LEE
yrurrr ctrr pttrrp SpptNce WpsT VA.Aug. 20, 1863


WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS WEST vA.,Aug 49, 1863.
! GENERAL: Fun OF solictude for the future VI our
country come with my heart In my hama 10 learn the
condition. wishes and intentions OF the people oi
the Southern States; especially 10 ascertain the sent
ments Of that body of brave, energetic, and sesaeri
Acng men, who after sustaining Confederacy for four
years. laid down their arms and allegiance 10 the
Government OF the United States, whose trusted ana
beloved leader you have BEEN see that interpreting
Estates Rights" conflict with National UNITY mas pro-
duced violent reaction against them, which Is drfng
| us towards consolidation, and also that so great
country as ours even is, certainly Is 70 De- must
have State Governments 10 attend to local Details
go farther and fare IL is PLAIN 10 u.s. a1 tho
West and North that the continuance OF semlanarchy'
such as existed for the last three years III ten STATES
OF Union largely Increases the danger OF cenrasn
swels national expenditures, dminshes our produo
tons and our Revenue inspires doubts OF our political
and financial stability, depreciates tho value OF our Ma
tona bonds and currency and places the cred OF the
richest below that OF the poorest nation IN Chrstehuom
We know that our currency be deprecated so long
as our bonds below par and that therefore the vast
business and OF tho country must suer inc
terrible evil OF uctuating standard OF value, until We
can remedy the evil condition OF things at the sCntr
| We also see other mischief quito possible,
| If not probable, TO arisei such as from
failure OF crops local instruction, and many other
unforeseen contingencies which may stu more deprciate
our credit and currency provoke discomfort and dls0r
der among our people, and bring demagogea agitation
revolution reputation and thousand unnamed evils
and vaues upon We know that the interests OF the
people of the South for law and Order ana that ney
must share our fate Of good and ILL., 1beeve-eyery one
know who reflects belevesthat II the people OF the
Southern States could peace and their energy and
good will heartily applied 10 repair the wastes OF war; re-
organize their business the freedmen peacefully
prosperOusly and contentedy at work; invite
capital enterprise and labor from elsewhere 10
come freely among them. they would soon
iN1 m
value of therJ lands, establish public confidence IN
our political stability, bring our Government bonds 10
premium, our currency to gold standard ana ASSURE
for themselves and the whole Nation most happy ana
prosperous future Seeing this and how oil Just inter
ests concur in the work. nsk-the officers and soldiers
who fought for tho Union, askeyery thinking man OF
the great West and North askswhy 1t cannot be done
We are told by who have controlled the Go yern
ment the last four years that the people OF the south
will not do IT, That II ever done nt!a ~ must be done
by the poor, simple uneducaed landess freedmen, ana
the few whites who against the public opinion and
sentiment OF the intelligent Whto people, are VIKING
10 attempt to lead, and mako their living of
OF these Ignorant Inc 1perenced co0red people mostly
men who must be needy adventures, or without any OF
those attributes which reliance for GOOD guidance OF
government can be placed We are told That ths Knu OF
government must be continued at the South until six or
eight Millions OF intelligent energetic white people giyo
into IL or move out OF the country Now think the Union
Army thinks and people OF the North and West dare
saw believe, there mus. he n" si'""" ~"s"' 20 e' =
| surer way TO get good government for all at the
South We know that they who organized and sustained
the Southern Conederacy for four years against gigantic
| efforts ought 70 be able 10 give peace law
order and protection TO the whole people OF the South
They have the interest and thepower 70 employ protect
educate and elevate the poor freedmen and to restore
themselves and our country to all the blessings OF which
have Just spoken. The question want answered. Is;
Are they willing do i'll" came down TO ind out
what the people the South think OF this and TO AJAX
Won what the officers soldiers who served In the Con-
federate army and the leading people who sustained III
think OF these things. come to ask more want 10
ask you in whose purity and patriotism here express
| UNQUALIFIED confidence and as many good men az you
! can yconyeniently consult, tOl Say what you think
| OF Il, and, also, what you are Wiling 10
do about II. I want 20 written expression OF
/ views that can DO followed by concurrence
Of action want to know you and the gentlemen who
Will oin In that written expression. willing TO pledge
the people Of the South 70 chyalrous and magnanmous
devotion to restoring peace aud prosperity TO our com
mon country want TO carry that pledge high above
the level party politics TO the late officers and soldiers
Union army and the people OF the North ana "eS
and to ask consider IT, and TO take tho necessary
action confident that Il VIII meet with response so
warm so generous and conhdng that we shall see In It's
sunshine the rainbow Of peace In our political SKY now
black with clouds and impending storm. know you arc
representative man, In reverence and regard TOT the
Union the Constitution and the welfare OF the country
and that what would say would Do lndorseu Dy hhe
tenths OF the whole people OF the South but should like
| 10 have the signatures OF all the representative
Southern men here, who concur in your Vows and ex-
prcssons Of their concurrence from tho principal oces
and representative men throughout the South, when
they can be procured This OF opinions and
wills, all tending 10 peace ORDER and stability Will
assure our Union soldiers and business men, who want
substantial and solid peace and cause them TO rise above
the level of party politics. aud take such steps to meet
yours as will insure lasting peace, with all It's countless
bessines Very truly, your friend, w. 8. RosEcRANs
| Gen r. T. LEE, White Sulphur Springs, W. Va
GEN. LEE TO GEN. RosEcRASs
| WHITE SULPHUR STRINGS, West Va, Aug. 20, 1853.
GENERAL: have had the honor 10 receive your letter
OF this date, and in accordance with your suggestion
have conferred with a number OF gentlemen from the
South I'm whose Judgment have confdcd ana who arc
well acquainted with the public sentiment OF their respec
tive States They have kindly consented 10 unite with me
In repynR 10 your communications and their names will
he found with my own appended TO this answer With
| this exclamation we proceed TO give TO you a candid
OF what believe 20 be the sentiment OF the
Southern people regard the subject to which you
fer Whatever opinions may have prevailed In the past
in regard 20 African Slavery the right OF State TO
secede from the Union, We believe we express
| the almost unanimous Judgment of the South
ern people, when we declare that they con-
| sIdox that those questions were decided by the
| war and that It is their intention in good faith TO
abide by that decision At the close OF the war the South
ern neope laid down their arms, and sought TO resume
their former relations with the United states Govern
ment Through their State Conventions they abolished
slavery and annuled their ordinances Of secession and
they returned their peaceful pursuits with sincere
nurnose 20 fulfill all their duties under the Constitution
~ The limited States which they had to support.
II their action these particulars had been met spirit
Of fanSness and cordially, believe that ere this old
| hove agaed nv In