The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-08-14
im44 EGRoEs I'M THE coNFEDERACY.

Emu Interesting letter of Robert IL. Lee
brought To Ltght-FHe Favored Arrning
tine Negroes and Emancipatsng the
~1,. whole Race.
s1iSs A Richmond correspondent OF the Philade-
5ohia Times sends that paper the following
Certified copy of letter from Gen. Lee:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA.
January IL, 1865
Hon. Andrew Hunter:
y 1 have received your letter Of the, seventh
instant, and without combining myself to the
/ order OF your interrogatories, will endeavor TO
answer them by q statement OF my views on
the subject
shall be most happy If I can contribute to
the solution of question in which. feel an
interest commensurate with my desire for the
welfare and happiness OF our people
Considering the relation Of master and
slave controlled by human laws and influ-
enced by Christianity, and an enlightened
public sehneRf as shf eeSs esh h sH g
termiDgled BIS at present ID thls country,
would (ieprecate any sudden disturbance OF
that relation, unless 1t be necessary 70 avert I a
greater calamity to both. I should, there
fore, prefer to rely on our white population TO
preserve the ratio between our forces and
that Of the enemy which experience * mas
lions of our enemies, 1t Is our duty to prepare
for continued war and notfor battle or a cam
paign; and own / fear we cannot accomplish
this without overtaxing the capacity OF our
white population.
Should the war continue under existing cir
cumstances, the enemy may in course OF time
penetrate our country, and get access to q
avowed policy to convert the able-bodied men
among them into soldiers, and emancipate al.
The success OF the Federal arms In the South
dent Lincoln for 28o,oOO men, the effect Of
which will be to stimulate the Northern
States to procure as substitutes for their own
people the negroes thus brought within their
reach. Many have already been obtained in
Virginia and should the fortunes OF war ex-
pose more Of her territory, the enemy viii
gain large accession OF strength, his n 2r O.
The same time destroy slavery ID manner
most pernicious to the welfare OF our people.
Their negroes will be used to hold them In
subsection, leaving the remaining 1OfceS Tree
to extend his conquest
Whatever may be the effect OF our employ
# ing negro troops it cannot be as mlschlevous
will be accomplished by ourselves, and we can
devise the means of allevating the evil con-
sequences to both races. I think, therefore,
we must decide whether slavery shai la Dc eh
used against us, Or use them ourselves at the
risk of The effects which may be produced upon
our social institutions NY own opndp aa Is
can be made effective soldiers. They. possess
the physical qualifications In an eminent a. de-
gree. Long habits of obedience and subord-
nation, coupled with that moral influence
which in our country the white man possesses
over the black fur disand the vb bSs1
IS the surest guarantee Of military efficiency.
Our chief aim should be to secure their tldel-
ity. There have been formidable armies COM
posed Of men having no interests In the coun-
Try for which they fought, beyond their pay
or the hope Of plumber But it is certain !, that
the best foundation upon which the fidelity OF
which imposes peculiar hardships and priva-
lions is the personal interest of the soldier in
the issue Of the contest. Such an interest We
freedom to all who enlist and freedom at the
end Of the War to the families Of those who