Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1868-09-17
NUMBER At.

customed from childhood to look upon
them with kindness. The change in the
relations Of the two races has wrought no
change in our feeling toward them. They
still constitute the important part of our
laboring population. Without the en-
ployment viii CHI Southern agriculture af-
lords they would be destitute Of the means
of substance, and become paupers, de-
pendent on public bounty.
Self-interest, even if there were no
higher motives, would therefore prompt
the whites Of the South to extend to the
negroes care and protection. The inpor-
tant fact that the two races are, under ex-
listing circumstances, necessary to each
other, is gradually becoming apparent to
both and we believe that but for infi-
ences exerted to stir up the passions Of
the negroes, the relations of the two ra-
ces would soon adjust themselves on
basis of mutual kindness and advan-
tage.
1t is true that the people of the South.
together with the people of the North and
West, are for obvious reasons opposed to
to any system of laws which would place
the political power Of the country in the
hands of the negro race. But this OPPOSE
ton springs from no feeling of enmity,
bnt from Il deep-seated conviction that at
present the negroes have neither the IN
telligeDce or other qualifications which are
necessary to make them safe Repositories
of political power. They would inevita
bly, become the victims of demagogues.
who for selfish purposes would mislead
them, to the serious injury ef the pub
lie.
The great want Of tie South is peace.
The people earnestly desire tranquility anil
the restoration of the Union. They de-
precate disorder and excitement as the
most serious obstacles of their prospect.
ty.
They ask restoration of their rights
under the Constitution. they desire re-
lief from oppressive misrule. Above all
they would appeal to their countrynlan for
the re-establishmeut in the Southern
States of that which has justly been regar-
ded as the birth right of every American
the right of self-government. Estsb-
lish these on q firm basis, and we can safe
ly promise, on behalf of the South
ern people, that they will faithfully obey
the Constitution and laws of the UriteF
States. treat the negro with kindness and
humanity, and fulfil every duty incumbent
on peaceful citizens, loyal to the Constitu-
ton of their country.
Webelieve the above con ans a succinct
reply to the general topics embraced in
your letter, aul we venture to say, on be-
half of the Southern people, and of the
officers and soldiers of the late Confeder-
ate army, that they will concur in all the
sentiments which We have expressed.
. Approaching tie patriotic motives which,
havo prompted your letter and recipro-
eating your expressions Of kind regard,
we have the honor to be. very respectful
y and truly,
R. L. Lee, of Virginia; G. I. B,aura-
gard, Louisiana; Alex. H. Stephens,
Georgia G. NJ Conrad, Louisiana ;.
Linton Stephens, Georgia, \. T. Ca
parton, West Virginia; John Echols,
Virginia; 2 S. Stockdale, Texas; F..
w Pickens, South Carolina; VIM. ).
Robertson. Virginia Joseph r. Ander-
son, Virginia; VIM. I. Turner, West
Virginia G. II Subee, South Carroll
ma; f. Fontane. Virginia; John
Letcher. Virginia B. G. Adams, Mis-
sissippi; w, j. Green, North Carolina;
Lewis L. Harvie, Virginia P. V. Dan
iel. Jr. Virginia; W. I. Sutherlin.
Virginia y. 3 James, Louisiana;
Toutant Beauregarl, Texas; NJ. o. II.
Norton, Louisiana; I. P Branch.
Georgia II. t. Russell, Georgia;
Samuel j. Douglas. Florida Jeremiah
Morton. Virginia; John b. Baldwin,
Virginia; George ". Boiling, Virgin
ia; Theodore Flournoy, Virginia; James
Lyons, Virginia,
70 General " S. Rosecrans, Minister to
Mexico, White Sulphur Springs, Va.
ATLANTA, GA, September THE bill
as passed the Senate and House week
since, to bold the Savannah election on
the 1st Tuesday in November, and limit
ing the time to one day, and giving three
ballot boxes, which was vetoed by tho