Year: 1872

The following letter from Gen. James Longstreet; giving his views on political affairs and the question of reconstruction in the Southern States, will be read with interest:

 NEW ORLEANS, March g, 1872. Sen. ". P. Kellogg, Washington, D. C.:

 DEAR SIR: Your esteemed favor upon the relative merits ofquestions that should influence the voice of the people in the approaching canvass, and the leaders who should be chosen as their representatives, finds me in poor condition for very sat- isfactory reply. I have been content to occupy an humble position in the party. and have been so closely confined to Louisiana, that fear to attempt to look beyond it's borders in forming opinions or making suggestions assi505aa sals

 The great question in this quarter is the problem of reconstruction, and I am inclined to think that it is the most inn portant national question. It is hardly worth our time, at this late day, to ask whether the Reconstruction laws are the wisest that coulG have been devised. They are laws, and have been sufficiently tested to convince us that their faithful administration will lead to the results an- ticipated, by those who were instrumental HI t11G1I CuhCbACnUs tA1l1lh It D6DIGf. therefore, to adhere to the original plan than to start off upon some other theory, that may lead us into new difficulties. and possibly disastrous confusion.

 Our financial affairs are in such favora- ble condition, and are so dependent upon comfortable reconstruction, that we may assume the solution of the first problem as deciding this also.

 Our reconstruction is one of the weight fest jobs that was ever saddled upon a Government; even more difficult than the effort of Prussia to reconstruct Elsass and Lorraine. For with the latter it is an af- fair of lifetime; with us, but four years are allotted to the task-unless the peo- pie have that patience and forbearance that are necessary to give to time it's heal ing and salutary influence. Had Presi- dent Lincoln lived, it is probable that he would have encountered as great difficult ties as President Johnson, and with as lit tie success. Yet would not like to say that they were not as able political states men as any of the day. Upon the advent of the present. Administration, the re- spOnsibiity of previous failure was added to the already momentous. undertaking. It is evident that the duty of the times has been met with spirit of good faith, ana mas D00u aS successfully met and dis charged as we should expect in SO limited time. r ...t.t..sl....-. .,...s.. ts

 There was time when had serious doubts of the possibility of success, but the law was before us, and we had no course to pursue except under it's man. dates. I think that it has been faithfully executed; so much so, that in some in. stances 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. I believe that this is due to the firm hand of the present administration. Will it not be better, then, to forego the exercise of our good privilege of quadrennial change of Ad- ministration, when we see, and feel, and almost realize that our future will not be left in doubt? ss, srg .-.f..s

 Then, again, the personal claims of the President are very great. All things con- sidered, am constrained to say that I think the people owe it to themselves and and to the President to return him to the office that he has filled so well, and with such entire good faith. fa4 eff remain, Ssta 9ta

 Very respectfully and truly yours,

 JAMES LoNasTREEr. \