The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-09-07

auu WouIu OPpresS Inen II II We're IN
their power to do so, is entirely un-
founded. They have grown up In ouI
midst, and we have been accustomed
| from childhood to look upon them with
kindness. The change in the relations
ofthe two races has wrought no change
lin our feelings toward them. They
still constitute the important part OF
our laboring population. Without their
labor the lands of the South would be
comparatively unproductiye. With
out the elemployment which Southern
agriculture affords they would be des-
titute Of the means of subsistence, and
become panpers, dependent on pub
there were no higher motive,
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 exist-
ting circumstances, necessary to each
other, is gradually becoming apparent
to both; and we believe but for the in
tluences exerted to stir up the passions
of the negroes, the relations of the,tW
races would soon adjust themselves on
a basis of natural kindness and adyan-
tage. st5.,... u. -,
''It is true that the people OF the South,
together with the North and West, are
for obvious hreasons, opposed to any
system of laws which would place the
political power of the country into the
hands of the negro race. But this ops
position springs from no feeling OF en-
nifty, but from a deep.seated convie-
ton that at present the negroes have
neither the intelligence or other qna1iT
fications which are necessary to make
them safe repositories ofpohtical pow
er. They would Inevitably be the vic
TINS of demagogues, who, for selfish
purposes, would mislead them to the
serious injury of the public.
"WhateVer opinion may have pre-
vailed in the past in regard to African
slavery, or of the right of State to
secede from the Union, we believe we.
express the almost unanimous judg-
ment of the Southern people when we
declare that they consider that those
questions were decided by the war, and
that it is their intention, in good faith,
to abide by the decision. 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. Through b their
State Conventions they abolished slav-
ery:aud annulled their ordinances of se-
cession, and they returned TO their per-
sonal pursuits with a purpose to fulfill
their duties under lhe Constitution OF
theUnited States, which they had sworn
to support.
"If their action in these particulars
had been met in aspirit of frankuess
and cordiality we believe that all old
irritations would have passed away,
and the wounds inflicted by the war
would have been, In. a great measure,
healed.
HThe great want of the South is peace.
The people earnestly desire tranquility,
and The restoration of the Union. They
deprecate disorder and excitement as
the most serious obstacle to their pros
perity. They ask q restoration of their
81. Il
desire relief from oppressive misrute.
Above all, they would appeal to their
countrymen for the re. establishments in
the Southern States of that which has
iustl been regarded as the birthright OF
every American, the right ST self-gov-
ernment. Establish these on firm
basis, and we can safely promise, on
behalf of the Southern people, that
they will faithfully obey the Oonstitu-
lion and laws of the United States,
treat the negroes with. kindness and
humanity, and fulfill every duty in
cumbent on peaceful citizens, loyal to
the Constitution of their country.
sHW believe the above contains a
succinct reply to the general topics en-
braced in your letter, and we venture
to say on behalf of the Southern people
and of the officers and soldiers of the
late Confederate army, that they Will
concur in all the sentiments which we
nave expressed
/" Appreciating the patriotic motives
which have prompted your letter, and
reciprocating your expressions of kind
regards, we have the honor to be, very
respectfully and truly,
r. E. LEE, of HirgtniG.
"To Gen. W. s. RoSecrGns, Munster to
1Ierico, White Sulphur Springs.
w. II. sutherlln, Va, C:M. Conrad, La
A 3, James, La, Linton Stephens, Ga,
IT. Reauregafd, TexnR,A. L. Caperton, w Va,
NJ o. ii, horton, La.,J John Echols, Va,
n. p. Brance, Ga, r. g. Stockdale, Texas,
H. T. Russell, Ga, f. w. Pickens, q. o.,
s, J. Douglas, Fla, Wm- j. Robinson, Va,
J. u. r, Morton, Va, Jas. r. Anderson, Var
John B. Baldwin, Ya.,W +. Turner, w. Va,
Geo, w. BAlling, Va, O. II. Subee, =. o.,
Irheo F. ConW way, Va, K. Fontaine, Va,
James Lyons, Va, John Letcher, Va,
O. n, BeauregnId, Lab o. Adams, Miss,
A. a. Stevens, Ga, W. ]. Green, N. O.,
ALI. n. Stuart, Ga, Lewis Z. Harris, Va,
P.V Daniels, jr.