The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-12-31
GEfER1L LONGSTREET.
His Estimose of General Grant--hls rlah
ofReconstructien--T Laws OF con-
lErcss Should be supported
The Atlanta New Era publishes the following
letter from General james Longstreet:

The Atlanta New Era publishes the following
letter from General James Longstreet:
LYNcuBURG, Va, November "a.
1fy Deer S,r-Many OF our southern ihen 1na
seem lo have lost sight of the fundamental doc,
trine-the interest of the peopie-n their ze3l
10 maintain their ideas Of consistency, Wilcn
consists in adherng to old truths, whether
they work for veal or for woe. regret that
am not better prepared to meet your WISHES ioi
information in regard to the luture pol,cy VI
our new President. Although have had lae
pleasure OF several interviews WIN nm ~ "o, Ioar
ihe last few wears. have not sought to learn
his appreciation of political questions OF tue
present or OF the iuture. l regard MS past
course and decided character as tue surcs'
guarantee Of his future course he Hoallhi
idea that has attached itself TO the minds OF
the many that he may yet prove TO DC Deulo,
crat, is like many other speculatlons tnat sal'
circulation and credence, but only serve TO oe-
celye those who are credulous enough 10 IN,
dulye them. If we recall to mind the events OF
the last two years, we shall remember that
General Grants position at one time was sucn
as to insure his nomination Tor Plesldent Ds
the party that he might choose as NJ IN ac-
cord with his views OF public policy, and SUP,
seouent events indicate that his PERSONA
popularity is such as to have tulned tl.e pa'-
ance in his favor. It seems to me unreas9H-
able, thclcf2re, to expect to hnd MN: aS tuls
late dav, seeking alliance with the oid party
His auteccdents clearly mark him as nation-
al man, and of such he gives assurance OF ms
adhesion to the party whose OASIS Is Tue
Union. and that the influence OF his aGm'nls.
tration will be applied to irs complete ana
prosperous restoration. flr-m!ndeu PEG
ple must know, however, that no Individual,
unaided, can accomplish 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 comDlha-
tion which will give to his administrator
happy advent, and comfortable anticipations
of its salutary progress. That the pcopie oi
the South. desire practical reconstruc.,!oans'
there can be no doubt; but it seems TO be dlIn-
cult 10 deyelope that sentiment so as to pro-
duce practical results. Drifting along IN inc
channel into which chance seems TO nave
thrown me, I begin to find myself. like many
others, ready with my theory. as IL may IN
terest YOU, give you concise statement OF
it. If you find that you can make u usoiul,
you are at liberty 10 do so. The wealth OF the
South lies in its soil. II this proposition Is
true, its sequents are equally go. m
/. Labor is es genital to make that wealth
available. Q. To command labor, laws must
encourage and protect it. Also their co-se-
ouerts. TO encourage and invite labor, eW,
dences of protection must be made manifest
through tho operation of law upon the LABOR
that we have. Hence, it appears that the
value Of our lands depend upon our labor, our
labor upou the law, and the law upon u.s. =
failure upon our part, therefore, TO enact ana
enforce proper laws, will be as fatal 10 the IN
terests of the owners of real estate as contisca-
tion. And vet, all that Congress asks us 10 90
is to avail ourselves of the only means by
which we may avoid serious depreciation OF
cur material interests. Tha. Is, this Will be
the practical result OF reconstruction, unuer
national legislation, upon our Interests. Ihe
moving cause of that legislation, probably, vas
sssecuritv for the future" Here, We may dis
cover the line that should mark our connection
with reconstruction. 1t begins and ends IN
our care for home interests. Il will be time
enough to begin TO look lno the fusIre when
we have provided tor the present. lhc Po!l'l-
clans OF the old school seem anxious to impress
upon the minds OF our young men the import
ancc Of rejecting all propositions coming from
tho Republican party, or else they dishonor
their own blood, and the blood OF their fallen
comrades. But gentlemen should remember
that they only dishonor their comrades when
they dishonor themselves, and that there can,
not be dishonor in ready obedience to law ana
proper care for our own welfare. oh Tue
contrary, to discard the law aud expose our
selves to unnecessary difficulties ls near AKIN
to dishonor. It is true that many worthy
persons arc disiranchisod under the law, but
the readiest and surest means OF relief are
through the law. conclude, therefore, that
interest and duty and honor demand that We
should place ourselves in O 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 members OF
the government. remain, very truly yours.
JAMES LONGSTREET.
MIR. JOHN Fl. DENT, Cave Sprlng, Georgia.