Year: 1872

The following letter from Gen. James
Longs:reet, giving his views on political
affairs and the question Of reconstruction
in the Southern States. will De read with
interest:


New ORLEANS, March 2s, 1872.
Senator " Kellogg Washington, d. c.


DEAR SIR: Your esteemed favor
upon the relative merits of questions
that should influence the voice of the
people in the approaching canvass, and
their leaders who should be chosen as
their representatives, finds me in a poor
condition for a very satisfactory reply.
| have been content to occupy an hum
BILE position in the party, and have been
SO closely confined to Louisiana, that
fear to attempt to look beyond its borders
in forming opinions or making sugges-
,tions.


The great question in this quarter is
the problem of reconstruction, and | am
inclined to think that it is the most I'M
portant national question. 1t is hardly
worth our time at this late day, to ask
whether the reconslructions Of laws are
the wisest that could have been devised
They are laws. and have been sufficient
ly tested to convince US that their faith.
full administration will lead to the results
anticipated by those who were instru-
mental in their enactment. | think it
better, therefore to adhere to the origi-
nal plan than to start off upon some 9th
er theory that may lead US into new
difficulties, and possibly to disastrous con-
fusion.


Our financial affairs are in such fayora-
Bile condition. aud are so dependent upon
favorable reconstruction, that We may as
sumo the solution of the first problem as
deciding this also.


Our reconstruction is one of the weigh
tiest jobs that was ever saddled upon a
government even more difficult than
the effort of Prussia to construct Alsace
and Lorraine For with the latter it is
an affair of a lifetime with US, but four
years are allotted to tn. task-unless the
people may have that patience and for
| bearance that are necessary to give to
| time its healing and salutary influence.
/ Had President Lincoln lived. it is prob
able that he would have encountered as
great difficulties as President johnson,
and with as little success. Yet [ would
not like to say that they were not as able
! political statesmen as any of their day.
Upon the advent of the present Admin
/ istratioD, the responsibility of previous
failure was added to the already momeu-
| tous undertaking Ii is evident that the
duty of the times has been met with a
spirit of good faith. and has been as sue
cessfully met and discharged as we should
expect ia so limited time.


i There was a time when l had serious
doubts of the possibility of success, bu,
the law was before Us, and we had mt
course to pursue except under its man
dates think tha: it has been faithful
ly executed so much SO, that in some
| instances it is said to have been done
with severe justice. have said before
| that We have reason to hope that we shall
have successful reconstruction. believe
that this is due to the fran hand of the
present Administration. VIII it not be
! better, then, to furego the exercise o.
our good privilege Of quadrennla
change Of Administration, when we sec
aud feel, and almost realize that our fu
ture will no be left in doubt?


Then. again. the personal claims OF the
President arc very great. All thing:
considered. am constrained to say thai


think the people owe to themselve:
and to the President, to return him tt
the Office he has filed so we'll, and will
such entire good faith.


remain. very respectfully and truly
yours. JAMES LoNGsTREEF.
THE largest iron casting yet attempted
was successfully made a couple of week


900 or tie Eisvic Ordnance Works Nau