Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-09-05
arms. and sought 81 to resume their former rela-

tons with the United States government.
Through their State Conventions they abol-
ish.sla7ery and annulled their ordinances OF Sc.
cession;> and they returned to their peaceful
pursuits with 4 sincere purpose to fulfill their
duties under the Constitution OF the United
States, which they had sworn to support. If
their action in these particulars had been met
in. spirit of frankness andecordialty, We be-
lieve that ere this old irritations would have
passed away, and the wounds inflicted BY the
war would ina great measure haveIoeen healed.
AS far as we are advised, the people of the
South entertain no unfriendly feeling toward
the Government OF the United States, but they
complain that their rights under the Constitu-
ton arc withheld from them IN the admins
tration thereof .......
The idea that the Southern ople are hos
tile to the negroes, and would Cypress them if
it we're in their power to do 50, is entirely I'M
founded They have grown up Ia our midst,
and we have been accustomed from our child :
hood to look upon them with kindness. The
change in the relations Of the two races has
wrought no change in our feeling towards them
They. still constitute the important part OF our
laboring population. Without their labor the
lands of the South would be mparatively I'M
productive Without the employment which
Southern agriculture affords, they would be
destitute OF the means of subsistence, and be-
come paupers, dependent upon public bounty
Selt.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 important fact that the two
races are, under existing circumstances, neees-
sary to each other, is gradually becoming ap-
parent to both, and we believe, but for in
huepces. czerted to stir up the passions Of the
negroes, the relations of the two races would
soon adjust themselves on basis of kindness
and mutual advantage. ss-r. :ar vi
It is true that the people OF the South, to-
gcthcr with the people of the North and Vest
are for obvious reasons opposed to any system
OF laws which would place the political power
of the country in the hands of the negro race;
But the opposition springs from no feeling OF
enmity, but from deep. seated conviction that
at present the negroes have neither the lntelll-
gence nor the qualifications which are nceessa-
ry to make them safe repositories OF political
power. They would inevitably become the
victims of dcmagogucs, who for selfish purpo
ses would mislead them, to the serious injury
of the public. Iii. -. - -..a....
The great want of the South is peace. The
people earnestly desire tranquility and the res
toration of the Union. They deprecate disor-
der and excitement, as the most serious obsta-
Gle to their prosperity
j They ask restoration OF their rights under
the Constitution. They desire relief from op-
prcssive misrule. Above all, they look to
their countrymen for the establishment in the
Southern States Of that which has justly been
regarded as the birthright Of every American
the right of sef-government. Establish these
on firm basis and we can safely promise, on
L. Il, Ia fbnE HOY vii
faithfully obey the Constitution and laws OF
the United States, treat the negro witt! kind
ness and humanity, and fulfil every duty incum-
bent on peaceful citizens loyal.to the Constitu
ton of their country. I'D .
We believe the above contains succlnct re
ply to the general topics embraced in your let
ter, and we venture to say, on behalf OF the
Southern people and the officers and soldiers
of the late Confederate army, that they vii
concur in all the sentiments which we have ex
pressed
Approaching the patriotic motives which
have prompted your letter, and cclprocatne
your expressions of kind regard, we have the
honor to be. very respectfully and truly,
r. K. Lee, Va, 1,B. @. Adams, Miss,
G. r. Bcauregard, La. W. J. Green, N. c.,
a. Fl. Stephens, Ca, Lewis b. HarYle, Va,
A. Fl. Fl. Stuart, Va, p V Daniels, Jr. Va,
G. NJ. Conrad, La, w. T. Sutkerlin, Va,
Linton Stephens, Ca "A. B. James, La,
A. r.. Caperton, w. Val. Beauregard, Tex.
John Echols, Va, NJ. 0. Fl. Norton, La.
I. S. Stockdale, Texas T. P. Branch, Ca,
T. W. Pickcns, S. G., H. r. Russell, Ca,
VIM. J. Robertson, Va, S. j. Douglass, Fla,
Jos. R. Anderson, Va. Jeremiah Morton, Va,
w. E. Turner, W. Va j. B. Baldwin, Na,s
G. Fl. Subcr, S. c., G. W. Boiling, Va,
u. Fontaine, Va, r. S. Flournoy, Va,
John Letcher, Va, James Lyons, Va,
General W.. S. Rosecrans, Minlstcrto Mexico
White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
s.,eeeE, Of Minister Johnson at SElef;
|; ."-| -1~ field, England.
The annual feast of the cutters of Sheffield
occurred on Thursday. Hon. Reverdy John
son, the =. S. Minister, who was present as {
guest, made his first address in England, ii
response to toast of the health of the Min.
lister. r Mr. Johnson, after expressing thanks
for the high honor conferred upon him, sale
that he came to this country as a messenger OF
peace He was glad, he said to recognize
everywhere in England strong proofs Of friend
ship, and which he was certain we're recipro-
Gated in his native country. For no people
under the sun America cntcrtalns kinder 1ee
ings than her Majcsty's subjects. They werc
really one people, had like laws and like insti
tutions, and in both countries freedom was the
base Of those laws and institutions. BY THEN
joint hands liberty would live forever. Mr..
johnson reviewed briefly the causes, conduct,
and triumphant termination Of the recent civil
war in America, and contentcd that the wal
had its compensation. 1t ended slavery, and
none but trcemen now trod the soil of Ameri
ca ; and history could say that all was wei
spent in crasing this blot transmitted from q
common ancesty, furnishing our fame, and be-
lying the Declaration of Independence. He
then alluded to the marshaing of forces fol
the coming Presidential election 10 America,
saying, that however the present canvass end
ed, he could personally vouch tor the next Pres
ldcnt as warm friend OF England. He then
alluded to the Sheffield cutlery, which he said
wac fonnur thrnuCh ont tho niuiiizn1 world