Middletown transcript., 1868-09-12

in our feeling toward them They still consti-
tutc the important part of our laboring popula-
ton. Without their labor the lands Of the South
would be comparatively unproductve. Without
the employment which Southern agriculture at-
fords they would he destitute Of the means Of sub
siscncc, and become paupcrs, dependent upon
public bounty.
Sclf-intcrest, even if there were no higher mo-
tives, would therefore prompt the whites Of the
South to extend TO the negroes care and protec
ton. The important fact that the two races are.
under existing circumstances, necessary to each
other, is gradually becoming apparent to both
and we believe, but for influences eXered to stir
up the passions of the negroes, the relations OF
the two races would soon adjust themselves on II
basis ofkindncss and advantage.
1t is true that the people Of the South, together
with the people of the North and West 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 enmty, but
from deep-seatcd conviction that at present the
| negroes, have neither the intelligence nor the
| qualifications which are 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 South is peace. The
people earnestly desire tranquility and the restor-
alton of the Union. They dcprecate disorder and
excitement as the most serious obstacle to thcil
prosperity.
They ask restoration of their rights under the
| Constitution. They desire relief from oppressive
misrulc. Above ALL they would appeal to theii
countrymen for the re-establishment in the South
crn States of that which has justly been regarded
as the birthright Of every American, the right o.
sclf-govcrnment, Establish these on firm ba'
sis, and we safely promise on behalf Of tho
Southern people that they will faithfully obey
the Constitution and laws Of the United States
treat the negro with kindness and humanity anc
fulfil every duty incumbent on peaceful citizen:
loyal to the Constitution of their country.
We believe the above contains a succnct reply
to the general topics embraced in your letter,
we venture to say, on behalf of the Southern peo
pie and of the officers and soldiers of the lat
Confederate army, that they will concur in al
the sentiments which we have expressed.
Approaching the patriotic motives which hav
prompted your letter, and reciprocating your eX
pressions Of kind regard, we have the honor t.
be, Very respectfully and truly,
r. L. Lee, Va. lB. G. Adams, Miss.
G. L. Bcaurcgard, La. VIM. j. Green, n. G.
Alex. ii. Stephens Ga. Lewis Il. Hnrvie Va.
Alex. Ii. H. Stuart, Va. 2. B. Daniels, Jr., Va.
G. NJ Conrad, La. W. 7. Sutherlin, Va.
Linton Stephens, Ga. A. B. James, La.
A. I. Caperton, W. Va. Y. Beauregard, Texas.
John Echols, Va. NJ. o. Ii. Norton, La.
F. s. Stockdale Texas. 4. b. Brance, Ga.
+. w. Pickens, S. G. II. 7. Russell, Ga.
VIM. j. Robinson, Va. Samuel j. J..Douglas, Fla
Jos. r. Anderson, Va. jeremiah Morton, Va.
VIM. +. Turner, w. Va. John b. Baldwin, Va
c. II. Subco, s. G. George W. Boiling, Va
: d. Fontaine, Va. Theodore Flournoy, Va
John Letcher, Va. James Lyons, Va.