Year: 1863

TO BE OR NOT TO BET


The very interesting letter inserted below is from
fgentleman of intelligence and honor, personally
yell known to u.s. and whose statements of fact are
nttled to full credit He is, moreover, thorough
syalist, and has been uniform and decided friend
IF the Administration. The result of his observa
tions in recent and extended tour in the South
he has thought of sufficient interest to be commu-
ncated to the public here, and we that all
of our readers will agree with him. What he re-
lates Of Southern feeling and Southern hopes can
hardly surprise any who can imagine the ex-
tremty of suffering and the multiplied woes which
the causeless rebellion has brought to every family
Of the South; but it is only those who from birth
or long association understand the feeling 10 the
l.dth regarding their slaves, who can appreciate
fully the fxedness and intensity of the South
ern mind on that subject. We are not surprised,
therefore, that the extremity of suffering and
the hopelessness of the rebellion combined should
inspire even many of those who eager to enter
into with the desire to retrace their steps and
turn to their allegiance, we'll as the masses who
were forced into it; and we can well understand the
writer when he represents the question of emanci-
pation-rega garded inAhe South as involving utter and
irremediable ruin to their country-as the only sub
stantial difficulty in the way OF restoration of the
Union 1t is for those who rule the destnies Of
this great country to say whether it shall far as
depends on them, have Union and the Constitu
ton, or immediate and forcible emancipation with
ruin to a moiety Of the country, protracted war,
and violated Constitution. How eloquent and
forcible is the appeal with which the writer closes
his letter, and which, notwithstanding its personal
reference to the Chief Magistrate, We take the
freedom of placing before him.


NORFOLK, AUGUST 26, 1863.
To the Editors of the National haieligencer.


Having just returned from tour through portions of
the States of Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Ala
bsma Tennessee, and Kentucky, and having met in my
travels many Of the former prominent politicians of those
States and as natural under the circumstances
had conversations with them the subject Of the
war its origin Objects bearings the present and future
Of our country and probable result feel assured to
some extent that brief synopsis of the impressions made
on my mind will not be altogether unacceptable to your
readers


The war; they argue instituted for the purpose OF
securing further to their own peculiar insttu
-slavery-and to repress abotonism or Northern
sggresons their rights It's bearing on the institution
has been to weaken and endanger it's entire overthrow
They admit that they have been deceived BY their Po-
lca Ieaders and that nearly all their promises have
proven failures They see they feel the crushing effects
Of the war upon the Slave States and admit it ndef
ntely continue that the institution Of slavery will not only
be in danger of anbhato but that their former slaves
will be drafted the army Of the United States for the
purpose of continuing the war on the South


This one single fact bears heavily upon them than
spy thing else connected with the and to this
now apparent inevitable fate they express willingness
TO sccede 10 any which shall not humate and de-
grade them They affirm (n fact they expect they hope,
they pray D that it is not for them to beg for peace
but for President to hold out the oyebranch and II
the Presd, mt to issue proclamation holding their
leaders to strict accountability for the rebellion, and
Offer the people protection in person and property leaving
the institution Of slavery to the constitutional immunity Of
State laws they will not on. accept it. but will hail the
act az ms gnsninlou', noble great


Thus 1t will be perceived that the great Of the
Southern people standing point OF honor, which
to them s of far greater import than defeat n battle the
loss Of sronghods the reduction Of their armies All
this they cn bear but dsbonor they oannO bear and they
hope they expect they pray that the President will spare
them this uDapeakabe humiliation


In view Of tlese simple ttulhs, would ask, Messrs
Editors through the medium Of your invaluable journal II
the President cannot afford to be magnanmous IT, after
the fall of Charleston cannot afford to offer terms
which shall induce the great body Of the Southern people
return to their allegiance to the Federal Union aud tho
Government Of the United States II be be ambitions Of on
viablo fame he will do it II he desires to be remembers
az the second Washing he will do it, if he wishes to
secure to himself the appeaou Of abraham the Great be
will do il; II he wishes to ,mit.ts the example Of HIM
who said "po nou and sin more, be will do it and
msy add, il he wishes to proclaim the popular sentiment
of the American people, and the sentiment Of humanity
civilization and christianity throughout the wol, he will
do it, which God grant for peaces sake


Yours, very truly


john Ap MS. ia