Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-05

clare that We are Conservatives. and tina
the question was decided BY the war, ant
that II is their intention, in good faith. Il
abide by that decision. At the close o.
the war the Southern people laid down
their arms and sought TO resume theiI
former relations with the United States
Government Through their State Con-
ventions they abolished slavery aud ans
nulled their ordinance of secession. and
they returned to their peaceful pursuits
with sincere purpose to fulfill all their
duties under the Constitution Of the Uni
ted States, which they had sworn to
support. II this action in Southern
agriculture fails, they win be destitute Of
means Of subsistence, and become pau.
pers, dependent on public bounty. Self
interest," even II there were no higher
motives, would therefore prompt the
whites Of the South to extend TO the
negroes care and protection. The i'm
portant fact that the two races, under
existing circumstances, are necessary to
each other is gradually becoming apps-
rent to both; and we believe that only
for the fact that influences are exerted to
stir up the passions of negroes, the
relationship of the two races would
soon adjust themselves on basis Of mu-
tual kindness and advantage. 1t is time
that the people of the South, together
with the people of the North are, for OBJ
vious reasons, opposed to any systems
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
condition that at present the negroes
have neither the intelligence or other
qualifications necessary to make them
safe repositories of political power. They
would inevitably become the victims of
demagogues, 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 PEG.
pie earnestly desire tranquility and the
of the Union. oThey depre-
cate disorder and excitement as the
most serious obstacle to their pros.
periiy. They ask a restoration Of
heir rights under the Constitution.
They desire relief from oppressive mis-
rule. Above all, they would appeal to
heir countrymen for the re. establishment
in the Southern States of that which has
Justly been regarded as the birtbright of
every American-the right of sslf-gov-
Establish them on firm
,asis and we can safely promise, on
,ehalf Of the Southern people, that they
will faithfully obey the Constitution and
avs of the United States. and treat the
negroes with kindness and humanity, }
Ind fulfill every duty incumbent ur,ou
peaceful citizens loyal TO the Cc,ostitu-
ion of their country. We believe the
lbova contains q specinct reply to the
'eneral topics embraced in your letter,
md We venture to say on behalf of the
Southern people, and of the officers and
Ioldiers Of the late Confederate army,
hey will concur in all the sentiments
which we have expressed. Approaching
he patriotic motives which have prompt.
ID your letter, and reciprocating your
expressions of kind regard, we have the
lonor to be, very respectfully and truly,
r E. LEE.
% General W. L. Rosecrans, Minister to Mex
leo.
The letter is also signed by G. 7.
,eauregard, Louisiana; Alexander 81.
stephens, Georgia; Alex. 81. H. Stuart,
Virginia; @. NJ. Conrad, Louisiana;
linton Stephens, Georgia; A. Carpenter,
Vest Virginia; John Eckles, Virginia;
!. s.. Stockdals, Florida; FIJI. Pickens,
'outh Carolina; W. ]. Robinson, Vir-
,inia; Joseph R. Anderson, Virginia;
Vim. F. Turner, Virginia; s. 81. Lubee,
'outh Carolina, e. Fontaine, Virginia;
Ohm Letcher, Virginia; B. @. Adams,
Il. J. Green, North Caro-
ina; Edward @. Harvie, Virginia
}. v. Daniels, jr., West Virginia; W. I.
iutherlin, Virginia; A. B. James, Loui-
lana; 7. Beauregard, Texas; M. o. Ii.
horton, Louisiana; I. Brance, Georgia;
/. 7. Russell, Georgia; Samuel J.
douglass, Florida; Jeremiah Morton,
ohm B. Baldwin, Geo. II. Bowling, Theo.
:. Conway and James Lyons, Virginia.