Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-09-08

At the close of the war the southern people laid down their arms and sought to resume their former relations with the United States government, and through their state conventions they abolished slavery, and annuled their ordinance of secession, and they returned to their peaceful pursuits with sincere purpose to fulfill all their duties under the constitu- ton of the United States, which they had sworn to support. Ifthis season in south; crn agriculture fails they will be destitute of means of subsistence and become pau pers dependent on public county. Self interest, even if there were no higher mo- tives, would therefore prompt the whites of the south to extend to the negroes care and protection. The important fact that the two races under existing circumstances are necessary to each other is gradually becoming apparent to both, and we believe that only for the fact that influences are exerted to stir up the passions of the ne- groes the relation of the two races would soon adjust themselves on basis of mu-
 
 that the people of the south, together with the people of the north, were for obvious reasons opposed to any system and laws which would place the political power of the country in the hands of the negro race. But this opposition springs from feeling of enmity and deep seated conviction that at present the negroes have neither the intelligence or other qualifications neces sary to make them safe Repositories of political power. They would inevitably become the victims of demogogues, who, for selfish purposes, would mislead them to the serious injury of the public. The great want of the people of the south is peace. The people earnestly desire tran guilty and the restoration of the union They depreciate disorder and excitement as the most serious obstacles to their pros perity. They ask for restoration of their rights under the constitution. They de- sire speedy relief from the oppressive mis- rule, above all they would appeal to their coun ntrymen for the re-establishment in the southern states of that which has justly been regarded as the birth right of every
  Establish them on firm basis and we can safely promise, on behalf of the southern people, that they will faithfully obey the constitution and laws of the United States, and treat the negroes with kindness and humanity, and fulfill every duty incumbent upon peaceful citizens, loyal to the consti- tuition of their country. We believe the 1,, tN t1 general topics embraced in your letter, and we venture to say, on behalf of the south ern people, and of the officers and soldiers of the late confederate army, that they will concur in all the sentiments which we have expressed. Approaching the patriotic motives which have prompted your letter, and reciprocating your expressions of respectfully and truly. R. E. LEE.
 To Gen. w. s. Rosencrans, Minister to Mexico,
 The letter is signed hy c. T. Beaurc- gard, Louisiana Alexander II. Stephens Georgia; Alex. r. H Stuart, Virginia c. NJ. Conard Louisiana Linton Stephens, Georgia A. Carpenter, Washington, Vir- Sllid pOHu IthOls, lSIHid Y. V Stockdale, Flordia; F H. Pickens, South Caroliaua; W J. Robinson, Virginia Jos. Anderson, Virginia; Wm J. Turner, Virginia; & II, Lubee, South Carolina F. Fontaine, Virginia John Letcher, Virginia, B. c. Adams Mississippi; II J. Green, North Carolina Edward Harvie, Virginia; P. Y, Daniels, Jr, West Vir- ginia; W. T. Sutherlm, Virginia A. B. James, Louisiana; q. T. Beauregard, Texas NJ. 0. II Norton, Louisiana S. Brance, Georgia II. s. Russell, Georgia, Samuel J. Douglas Flordia Jeremia Morton, John B. Baldwin, Georgia II Bowling, Theo T Conway and James Lyon, Virginia.
 NEW YORK, Sept 5--m.
 Cotton, tending downward.
 Gold l44A.
 LIVERPOOL. Sent. 5-m