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SOUTH SHOULD ATTEND TO OWN AFFAIRS AND
STAY OUT OF NATIONAL POLITICS
211
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LEE, ROBERT E. Autograph Letter Signed, “R ELee,” to General Edward G.W.
Butler, reporting that his gift of pecans has been enjoyed by family and friends, expressing
concern regarding the health of George Williamson, suggesting that he plant corn on his
plantation, warning of the consequences of overproducing cotton and sugar, claiming that
the South would not have failed in asserting its view of the Constitution had its population
and resources been adequately developed, predicting that the South will not recover until it
does so, promising to send a copy of his own father’s memoirs, expressing hope that his
children would find memorable advice in his own father’s letters to his own brother
[Charles Carter Lee], scolding his cousin for being out too late and remarking that the
winter has been unusually mild. 5 pages, 8vo, written on a folded sheet and one side of an
additional leaf, ruled paper. With the original envelope, addressed in his hand. (AKF)
Lexington, 10 February 1870
[3,500/5,000]
“
. . . I am more than ever impressed with the necessity of the people of the South attending to
their material prosperity; building up their individual fortunes; taking care less of Federal poli-
tics, & more of their own affairs. Had this course been followed from the beginning of the
government; had the resources of the States been fully developed, & the white population been
increased to the extent it might; the Southern Construction of the Constitution, & its views of
Federal politics, would have been listened to with that attention which its weight in the
Councils of the nation entitled it to. It was from the want of this weight . . . that it failed, when
it attempted to maintain its views. Nor will it ever recover its position in the Republic until its
material interests are sufficiently enlarged, & its population adequately increased. . . .”