The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-09-05

IL
ceive your letter Of this date, aud in &C
ferred with q number Of gentlemen from
the South, in whose judgment have con-
fided, and who are well acquainted with the
public sentiment of their respective States.
They have kindly consented to unite with
me in replying to your communication, and
their names will be found, with my own
appended to this answer. With this expla-
nation we proceed to give you cadid state
ment of what we believe to be the senti-
ment of the southern people in regard to
the subject to which you refer.
Whatever opinions may have prevailed
in the past in regard to African slavery OF
the right of State to secede from the Union,
we believe we express the almost unani-
nous Judgment 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 that decision.
AT the close of the war the southern peo-
pie laid down their arms and sought to re-
sumo their former relations with the
United States Government. Through their
State conventions they abolished slave
~ and annulled their ordinances Of
secession, and they returned to their peace
full pursuits with sincere purpose to fulfil
all their duties under the Constitution Of
the United States which they had sworn to
protect. If their action in these particu-
lars had been met in spirit of frankness
and cordiality, we believe that ere this old
irritations would have passed away, and
the wounds inflicted by the war would
have been, in great measure, healed. AS
far rs we are advised the people Of the
South entertain no unfriendly feeling to-
wards the Government of the United States
but they complain that their rights under
the Constitution are withheld from them IN
the administration thereof.
The idea that the southern people are
hostile to the negroes, and would Cypress
them if it were in their power to do SO, is
entirely unfounded. They have grown up
in our midst, and we have been accustomed
from childhood to look upon them with
kindness. The change in the relations Of
| the two races has wrought no change in oul
feeling towards them. They still constitute
the important part Of our laboring popula
ton. Without their labor the lands of the
South would be paratiVely unproduc
| 't;yo Without the employment which
southern agriculture ats 5rd d.. they would o'
destitute OF the means of subslsteIcs
and become paupers, dependent on pub
lie bounty. Self-interest, even if there
were no higher motive, would. therefore
prompt the whites Of the South to extend tt
the negroes care and protection. The i'm
portant fact that the two races are, under
existing circumstances, necessary to eacl
other, is gradually becoming apparent t.
both, and we believe that but for the Intiu
ences exerted to stir up the passions of tht
negroes, the relations of the two races woult
soon adjust themselves on a basis Of mutua
kindness and advantage.
1t is true that the people of the South
together with the people Of the North anc
West, are, for obvious reasons, opposed t
any system of laws which will place tn
political power of the country in the hand
Of the negro race. But this opposition
springs from no feeling of enmity, but from
deep-seated conviction that at present TIT
negroes have neither the intelligence no
other qualifications which are necessary +
make them safe repositories Of politica
power. They would inevitably become tn
victims Of demagogues who, for selfish pur
poses, 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 restoration of the Union. The,
deprecate disorder and excitement as tn
most serious obstacles to their prosperity
They ask restoration of their rights unde
the Constitution. They desire relief from
oppressive misrule. Above all, they would
appeal to their countrymen for the reGstab
lishment in the southern States Of tina
which has justly been regarded as TIL
birthright of every American-the right o
self-government. Establish these on a firm
basis, and we can safely promise on behal
Of the southern people that they will faith
fully obey the Constitution and laws of thu
United States, treat the negro with kind
ness and humanity, and fulfil every dut,
incumbent on peaceful citizens loyal to tn,
Constitution Of their country.
We believe the above contains a succinc
reply to the general topics embraced il
your letter, and we venture to say on be
half Of the southern people and of TIT
officers and soldiers of the late Confederate
army that they will concur in all the senti
ments which we have expressed.
Approaching the patriotic motives which
have prompted your letter, and reciprocal
ting your expressions Of kind regard, W.
have the honor to be,
Very respectfully and truly,
R. E. Lee, of Virginia G. T. Beauregard
Louisiana; Alex. H. Stephens, Georgia
C. NJ. Conrad, Louisiana; Linton Ste
phens, Georgia; A. 7. Caperton, Wes
Virginia John Echols, Virginia +. S
Stockdale, Texas; +. W. Pickens, South
Carolina; VIM. J. Robertson Virginia
Joseph R. Anderson, Virginia; VIM. 7
Turner, West Virginia; c. H. Subee
South Carolina; E. Fontaine, Virginia
John Letcher, Virginia B. c. Adams
Mississippi; W. J. Green, North Caro-
lima Lewis E. Harvie, Virginia P. V
Daniel, Jr., Virginia ". L. Sutherlin
Virginia; A. B. James, Louisiana Tou-
tant Beauregard, Texas NJ. 0. H. Nor.
ton, Louisiana; T. P. Branch, Georgia
H. T. Russell, Georgia: Samuel J. Doug.
las, Florida jeremiah Morton, Virginia
John B. Baldwin, Virginia; George W
Boiling, Virginia; Theodore Flournoy
Virginia James Lyons, Virginia.
To General ". S. Rosecrans, Minister tc
Meyico White Sulnhur Snrinps W.