The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1878-09-05
An Interesting Letter OF " Obe II
ID. Lee Brought to Light.

Headquarte rs Army Northern
Virginia,
January IL, 1866. J
Hon. Andrew Hunter:
L have received your letter of the
seventh instant, and withont con
finibg myself to the order of your
lnte'rr"gatoIiles, will eDle avor to
answer them by a statement ofmv
views on the subject.
l shall be most happy II 4 can
contribute to the solution Jf II
question in which ] feel an interest
commensurate with my desire for
the welfare and happiness of our
people
Considering the relation ofmas-
ter and slave controlled by human
laws and influenced by Ch,istiani-
ty aud an enlightened public SEN
tlnent, as the best that can exist
between the white and black races,
while intermingIed as at present in
this countrv, I would deprecate
amy sudden disturbance of that re-
lation, uuless it be necessary to
avert u greater calamity to both
/ should, therefore, prefer to rely
on our white population to pre-
serve the ratio between our forces
and that'of the enemy, which expe-
rience has shown to be safe. Bat
IN view OF the preparations of our
enemies, it is our duty to prepare
for. continued war and not for
battle or n campaign; and own |
fear we cannot accomplish this
without oyertaNing the capacity of
our white popalatioD.
Should the war continue under
existing circumstances, the enem,
may ~ course Of time penetrate
orr country, and get access to
large part Of our slave population.
1t is bis aVowed policy to convert
the able bodied men anoug them
into soldiers, aud eEancipate all. |
The sssccess of the Federal arms
in the South was foIlwad by pro-
clamation from President Lincoln
for $4,000 men, the effect of |
which will be to stimulate the |
Northern States to procure as sub |
stltates for their own people the
negroes thus brought within their
reach. Many have already been
obtained in Virginia, and should
the fortunes of war expose more
If her territory, the enemy will
gain large accession of strength.
His progress will thus add to his
numbers, aud at the same time
destroy slavery in manner most
pefnicious to the W. flare CT our
people. TLeir negroes will be
used to hold them in subjeetion,
leaving the remaining forces free
to extend bis conquest.
What ever may be the effect of
oar employing negro troops it cam
not be as mischieyoas as this. Ii
il end in sabyerting slsvery it will
be accomplished by ourselves, and
we can devise the means of allie.
piating the evil consequences to
ooth races. 1 think therefore, We
must decide whether slavery shall
30 eXtlnguished by our enemies,
md the slaves be used against us,
u use them ourselves at the rIsK |
,f the effects which may be pro- /
lnced upon our social institutions. !
My own opinion is that we should
'mploy them without delay. 1
,elieye that with proper regula- /
ions they can be made effective (
otdlers. They possess the phys i
cal Qualifications in an eminent Z
egree. Long habits OF obedience i
nd subordipation, coupled with !
hat moral Influence which in our i
ountry the white man possesses !
yer the black, furnish the best !
9uudation for that discipline, d
'hich is the surest guarantee Of i,
lilitary efficiency. Our chief aim q
bould be to secure their fidelity, 4
here have been formidable armies :,
omposed Of men having no inter- /.
SITS in the country for which they n
'agbt, beyond their pay on the Il
ope OF plander. But il is certain +
,at the best foundation upon
hich the fidelity Of any army can 8