The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1878-09-07

a Richmond correspondent or the
Philadelphia Times sends that paper
the following certified copy of letter
from Gen. Lee:
ARMY NORTHERN VA.,}
January II, 1865.
Hon. Andrew Hunter:
have received your letter of the
seventh instant, and without contiu'
ing myself to the order of your in
terrogatories, will ondeavor to an
swer them by statement of my
views on the suhjeet'
l shall be most happy If l can con-
tribute to the solution of a question
10 which feel an interest commensu.
rate with my desire for the welfare
and happiness Of our people.
Considering the relation Of master
and slave controlled by human laws
and influenced by Christianity and an
enlightened public sentiment, as the
best that can exist between the white
aud black races, while iutermingled
"a at present in this country, would
deprecate any sndden disturbance Of
that relation, unless it be necessary
to avert a greater calamity to both.
I should, therefore, prefer to rely on
our white population to preserve the
ratio between our forces and that Of
the enemy, which experience has
shown to be safe. But in view of the
preparations of our enemies, it is our
duty to prepare for continued war
and not for battle or a campaign !;
and own l fear we cannot accomplish
this without overtaxing the capacity
of our white population.
Should the war continue under ex-
listing circumstances, the enemy may
in course of time penetrate our coun.
try, and get access to large part OF
our slave population. 1t IS his avow.
ed policy to convert the able bodied
men among them into soldiers, and
emancipate all. The success Of the
Federal arms ia the South was fol-
lowed by a proclamation from Presi.
dent Lincoln for 100000 men, the ef,
feet of which will be to stimulate the
Northern States to procure as sub
>titutes for their own people the ne
yrues thus brought within their reach
Many have already been obtained III
Virginia and should the fortunes OF
war expose more of her territory, the
enemy will gain a large accession Of
strength. His progress will thus add
TO lis Plumbers, and at the same time
destroy slavery in q manner most
pernicious to the welfare of our peo'
pie. Their negroes will be used te
hold them in subsection, leaving the
remaining forces free to extend biz
conquest.
Whatever may be the effect of ou1
employing negro troops it cannot be
as mischievous as this. lit end II
subvertiug slavery it will be accom-
plished by ourselves, and We can de-
wise the means Of alternating the eyi
! conse Quences to both races. think
! therefore, We must decide whethe
slavery shall b. extinguished by ou
enemies. and the slaves DO use'
| against us, or use them ourselves a
the risk of the effects which may b.
produced upon our social institutions
| NV own opinion is that We shoult
Employ them without delay. L be
| ieve that with proper regulation
they can be made effective soldiers
They possess the physical qualifca
tons In an eminent degree. LonI
nabits Of obedience aud subordiua.
ion, coupled with that moral in6u
ence which 10 our country the whit
man possesses over the black, furnis|
i he best foundation for that discipline
\ wh,ch is the surest guarantee Of mill
,ary efficiency. Our chief aim shoul'
ne to secure their fidelity. Their
have been formidable armies compos
ed Of men having no interests in tn
country for which they fought, be
sond their pay or the hope Of p!nu
Ter, Bot it is certain that the bee
oundatinn upon which the fidelity, 9
N army eau rest, especially ip ser
vice Which imposes peculiar hard
,bips and privations,, is the persona
interest Of the soldier in the issue q
the con, est. Such % interest We ca
i've our negroes by granting imnedi
ste freedom to. all who enlist, an