| From the Southern Watchman (Athens,
Ga.) |
| |
| March 25, 1863 |
| |
| Interesting Letter from the Postmaster
General |
| Knoxville, March 10, 1863 |
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| J. A. Sperry, Esq. |
| |
| Dear Sir, |
| Herewith
I send you copy of a letter received today from our worthy and
excellent Post Master General, Judge Reagan. The letter to which this
is in answer was not, as you are aware, intended for publication, but
having found its way to the public, it is proper Judge Reagan's reply
should be known, although I am not sure that, were he consulted, his
consent could be obtained for its publication. |
| The Post
Master General doubts the cooperation of the Railroad Companies of the
South in the proposition to reduce mail pay to a maximum of fifty
dollars per mile during the war. In this he is certainly mistaken, and
under estimates the patriotism and earnest desire of the officers and
Directors of these roads to aid and sustain the Confederate States in
this conflict, in every way compatible with their honor an ability.
They understand well what they are contending for, and previous to
this war no class of men had better opportunity of testing the
disposition of the Northern people to make of us "hewers of wood
and drawers of water," and I venture the opinion that after the
war shall have closed, it will be a part of its history, that no other
portion of the Southern people as a class have made greater
sacrifices, or stood by our government with more manly and unflinching
patience. Let Congress then make the experiment -- pass the law, and
you will find the only question will be, not as to how it will affect
their profits, but is there a real necessity for this reduction of
mail pay; and is the law application to and obligatory to all the
Railroads of the Confederate States alike? The law will be acquiesced
in. The mails will be just as well and as faithfully carried at the
present, and "nobody hurt," for while this matter is one of
the greatest magnitude to the government and the people, it is one of
comparatively minor consequences in its accomplishment and cost and
labor to the Railroad Companies, and in its consummation will carry
light, and comfort and happiness to thousands of families, and around
multitudes of campfires, that otherwise will be left in darkness, and
carrying surprises and uncertainty as to the fate of Friends at home
and in the field, during the continuance of this war. |
| While I
do not concur in Judge Reagan's views on some other points in his
excellent letter, it will avail nothing for me to notice them. The
great object in view is to maintain intact our postal facilities
without any violation of the Confederate Constitution. This the
Railroad Companies have the4 ability to do and in my opinion should
not hesitate to accomplish. |
| Truly yours, |
| C. Wallace {President,
East Tennessee & Georgia RR} |
|