The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-05
THE VIRGINIA SPRINGS CONFERENCE.
The Correspondence in Full Be-
tween General ROsecranS and
the Ex-RebeI Leaders.


we give below the correspondence in full between
General Rosecrans and the ex-febel leaders during
the late visit OF General Rosecrans to the Virginia
White Sulphur Springs. will be noticed that our cor
respondent furnished pretty clear abstract of tue
correspondence at the time Of Its occurrence
General Rosecrans' Letter.
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, West Ya,1
August 70, 1868.
GENERAL-Full OF socitude for the future OF our
country, come with my heart in my hand to learn
the condition, wishes and intentions Of the peopl
OF the Southern States-especialy to ascertain the
sentiments OF that body OF brave energetic and self
sacrificing men who, after sustaining the COnfed-
eracy for four years. laid down their arms and swore
allegiance to the government Of the United States,
whose trusted and beloved leader you have been.
see that interpreting estates rights' to conflict with
national unity has produced violent reaction
against them, which is drifting us towards CONSOLE
dalton; and also that great country as ours even
now iscertainly is to be--must have State govern
ments to attend to local details or go farther and
are worse.
IL Is plain to us at the West and North that the
continuance OF semianarchy, such as has existed
for the last three years ten States of our Union,
largely increases the danger OF centrasm, swells
our national expenditures, diminishes our produc-
lions and our revenue inspires doubts OF our p0lit
cal and financial stability, depreciates the value OF
our national bonds and currency and places the
credit OF the richest below that OF the poorest ma
ton in Christendom. We know that our currency
must be deprecated 80 long as our bonds are below
par and that therefore the vast business and COM
nerce of the country must suffer the terrible evil OF
u nuctuatlng standard OF value until we can remedy
the evil condition OF things at the South. We also
see other mischief quite possible, If not probable TO
arise-such as from failure of crops,a local insurrec
uon and many other unforeseen contingencies winch
may still more depreciate our credit and currency,
provoke discomfort and disorder among our people
and bring demagogical agitation, revolution, repu-
thousand
upon us. We know that the interests OF the people
OF the South are for law and order and that they
must share our fate of good and Ill.
beleve-every one know who reflects believes
that the people of the Southern States could be at
Piled to repair the wastes o. war; reorganlze their
business. set the freedmen peacefully prosperOusly
aud labor from elsewhere to come freely among
Them they would soon rebuild their ruined fortunes,
multiply many fold the value OF their lands, establish
public confidence IN our political stability, bring our
government bonds to premium, our currency to
gold standard and assure for themselves and the
whole nation most happy and prosperous Union.
the work, l ask the officers and soldiers who
fought for the Union, ask every thinking
1t cannot be dones We are told by those who
have controlled the government for the last four
years that the people OF the South Will not do 1t; that
II ever done at all II must be done by the poor,
simple, uneducated, landless freedman and the few
whites who, against the public opinion and senti-
ment OF the intelligent whlte people, are willing to
attempt to lead and make their living OF these
ignorant, inexperienced cOlOred people, mostly men
who must be needy adventures or without any of
those attributes which reliance for good guidance
or government can be placed. We are told that this
kind OF government must be continued at the South
until six or eight millions OF intelligent, energetic
white people give iii To 1t or move out OF the country
Now think, the Union army thinks. and the peO-
pie Of the North and West, dare say believe there
must be or there ought TO DC shorter surer way to
get good government for all at the South We know
that they who organized and sustained the Southern
Conlederacy for four years against gigantic efforts
ought to be able TO give peace law, order ana pro-
lection to the whole people of the south They have
the interest and the power To employ, protect, edu
cate ana elevate the poor freedmen and to restore
themselves and our country 10 all the blessings Of
which have just spoken. The question we want
answered is, "Are they willing to do ita"
came down to hnd out what the people OF the
South think of this and to ask you what the Officers
and soldiers who served In the Confederate army
and the leading people who sustained IL. think OF
come 10 ask more. want to ask you, in whose
purity and patriotism ! here express unqualified
confidence, and as many good men as you can con-
venentIy consult, to say what you think of il and
also what you are willing To do about IL. | want
written expression OF views that can be followed by
a concurrence OF action. want to know n you and
the gentlemen who Will join in that written express
sion are willing TO pledge the people oil the South to
a chivarous and magnaninous devotion to restoring
peace and prosperity to our common country.
want to carry that pledge high above the level OF
party potcs 10 te tate oilcers anu soldiers OF the
Union army and the people Of the North and West,
and TO ask them TO consider 1t and 10 take the neces
sary action, confident that II will meet with re-
Spouse so warm, so generous and confiding that we
shall see in its sunshine the rainbow of peace I'm our
political sky, now black with clouds and impending
storm.
| know you are a representative man In reverence
and regard for the Union, the constitution and the
welfare Of the country, and that what you would say
would be endorsed by hine-tenth5 Of the whole
people OF the South; but should like to have the
signatures OF all the representative Southern men
here who concur In your views, and expressions OF
their concurrence from the principal officers and
representative men throughout the South when
they can be procured.
This concurrence Of opinions and wills, all tending
to peace, order and stability, will assure our Union
soldiers and business men, who want substantial
and solid peace, and cause them 10 rise above the
level Of party politics and take such steps to meet
yours as will insure lasting peace, with all its
countless blessings.
Very truly, your FRIEND
W. y. ROSDCRANS.
General Il. II. LEE, White sulphur Springs, West
Reply Of the SOutherners.
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, August 20, 1858.
GENERAL have had the honor to receive your
letter OF this date and In accordance with your sug
oestion have conferred with number OF gentlemen