Newspapers / The Charlotte Democrat (Charlotte, … / March 1, 1864, edition 1 / Page 2
Part of The Charlotte Democrat (Charlotte, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
WESTER N JDEM O C BAT, CHARLOTTE," N.t C ADDRESS OF COHGRESS To the People of the Confederate States. Id closing the labors of the First Permanent f!nnorrra vonr Representatives deem it a fit occa- sion to give eomc account of their stewardship ; to.j c , j r . review Dneliy wnat, unacr auuu cimjatrasjiueuiB and adverse circumstances, ha? been accomplished; t , i 1 ' I- I . . . to invite attention to the prospect before us and j the duties incumbent on every citizen in this cri bis; aud to address such words of counsel and en- couragement as the times demand. .Compelled by a long series of oppressive and tyrannical acts, culminating at last in the selection of a President and V ice-President by a party con fessedly sectional and hostile to the South and her institutions, these States withdrew from "the former Union, and formed a new Confederate alliance, as an .independent Government, based on the proper "relations of labor and capital. This step was ta keo reluctantly, by constraint, and after the ex haustion of every measure that was likely to secure oie from interference with our property, equality in the Ufiion, or exemption from submission to an alien Government. 4 The Southern States claimed only. iihe unrestricted enjoyment of the rights guarantied by the Constitution. Finding, by pain ful and protracted experience, that this was per sistency denied, we determined to separate from tlhose enemies who had manifested the inclination and ability to impoverish and destroy us, we fell back upon the right for which the colonies main tained the war of the revolution, and which our heroic forefathers asserted to be clear and inalien able. The unanimity and zeal . with which tbe separation was undertaken and perfected, finds no parallel in history. - The people rose en masse to .aksert their liberties and protect their menaced rights There never was before such universality of conviction, among any people, on any question involving so serious and Bo thorough a change of political aud international relations.. This grew out of The clearness of the right so to act, and the certainty of the perils of farther association with the North. The change was so wonderfulrso rapid, j?o -contrary to universal history, that many lail to sac that all has been done in the logical sequence of principles, which are the highest testimony to the wisdom of our fathers, and the best illustra tion of the correctness of those principles. This Government is a child of law instead of sedition, of right instead of violence, of deliberation instead of insurrection. Its early life was attended by no anarchy, to rebellion, no suspension of authority, no social disorders, no lawless disturbances. Sov ereignty was not for one moment in abeyance. The utmost conservatism marked every proceeding .and public act. The obiect was "to do what was cecessavv. and no more : and to do that with the .utmost temperance and prudence." St. Just, in his report to the Convention of Frauce, in 1793," said : "A people has but one dangerous enemy, nd that is government. " We adopted no such absurdity. In nearly every instance, the iirst steps, were taken legally, in accordance with the wiil Mod pre'scribed direction of tbe'eonsiituted author ities of the seceding States. We were not remit- .ted to brute force or natural law, or the instincts of reason. The charters of freedom were scrupu lously preserved. As in the English Revolution, of 1G88, and ours of 1776, there was no material alteration in the laws beyond what was necessary 'to redress the abuses that prqyoked the struggle, io Attempt was made to build on sjjeculative prin ciples. The effort was confined within the nar rowest limits of historical and constitutional right. The controversy turned on the records and muni ments of the past. We merely resisted innovation ana tyrauny, ana contended tor our birthrights and the covenanted principles of our race. We ave had our Governors, General Assemblies and 44 the same rules for property, the same subordina tions, the same order in the law and in the magis tracy." When the sovereign States met in coun cil, thqy, in truth and substance, and in a consti tutional light, did not make but prevented a revo lution. " Commencing our new national life under such circumstances, we'had a right to expect that we woold be permitted, without molestation, to culti vate the arts of peace, and vindicate, on our Chosen arena,, and-with the selected type of social charac teristics, our claims to civilization. It wad thought, too, by many, that war would not be resorted to by.-ari enlightened couatry, except on the direst necessity. That a people, professing to be anima ted by Chrjstian sentiment, and who had regarded our peeuliar institution as a blot and blur upon the fair escutcheon of their common Christianity, should make war upon the South for doing what Hiey had a perfect right to do, and for relieving tbcm of the incubus which, they professed, rested upon them by the association, was deemed almost beyond belief by many of our wisest minds. It was hoped, too, that the obvious interest of the two sections would restrain the wild frenzy of ex citement and turn into peaceful channels the thoughts of those who had but recently been in vested with power in the United States. These reasonable anticipations were doomed to disappointment The red glare of battle, kindled at Sumter, dissipated all hopes of1 peace, and the 4 wo Governments were arrayed in hostility against tach other. We charge the responsibility of tki war upon the Unhed States. They are accounta ble for the blood and havoc and ruin it has caused. For such a war we were not prepared. The dif ference iu military resources between-our erem:.es and ourselves ; the immense advantages possessed iu the orgauizod machinery of an established gov ernment; a powerful navy; tbe nucleus of an army; oredit abroad, and illimitable facilities in mechani cal and. manufacturing power, placed them on the ".vantage ground." In our infancy, we were with out a seaman or soldier, without revenue,- without goldjmd silver, without a recognized place in the .family of nations, without external commerce, without foreign credit, with the prejudices of the world against us. While we were without maim iacturing facilities to supply, our wants, our ports were blockaded ; we had to grapple with a giant adversary, defend 2,000 miles of sea-coast and au inland frontier of equal txtent. If we had suc ceeded in preventing any successes on the part ot. a a' . . our enemy, it would nave been a miracle. hat j we have accomplished, with a population so inferi- j ur xu uumueis, auu uicaus bo yusmy uwproporiion- ate, has excited the astonishment and admiration ,of the world. " The war in which we are engaged was wickedly and against all our protests, and the most earliest efforts to the contrary, forced upon us. -South .Carolina sent a commission to Washington to ad just all questions of dispute between her and the United States One of the first acts of the Pro visional Government was to accredit agents to visit Washington and to use all honorable means to ob tain a satisfactory settlement of all questions of dispute with that Government. Roth efforts failed. C-ommissioners were deceived nnd rejected, and .clandestine .but vigorous preparations were made for .war. In " proportion to oar perseverance and anxiety havo boen the obstinacy and arrogance in spurning offers of peace. It jseeml we can be in debted for nothing to the virtues of our enemy. We are pbliged to ,bia vices, which have enured to our strength. We ow as much tc biia insolence and blindness, as to our precaution. ' The wager of battle having beeBiedered, it was accepted. The alacrity with which our people flew to arms is worthy of all praise." Their deeds of heroic daring, natient endurance, ready submis gjon t0 discipline, and numerous victories, are in keeping with the fervent patriotism that prompted their early volunteering. Quite recently, scores of regiments have re-enlisted for the war, testify ing their determination to light until their lib er- ing ties were achieved. Coupled with and coutriDuting greatly to this enthusiastic ardor, was the lofty courage, the iudomitable resolve, the self-denying spirit of our noble women, who, by their labofs of love, their patience of hope, their unflinching con stancy, their uncomplaining submission to priva tions of the war, have shed an immortal lustre upon tbeir sex and counwy. . Our army is no hireling soldiery. It conies not from p&upers, criminals or emigrants. It was originally raised by the free, unconstrained, unpur chaseable assent of the , men. All vocations and classes contributed to the swelling numbers. Abandoning luxuries and comforts to which they had been accustomed, they submitted cheerfully to "the scanty fare and cxactive service of the camps. Their services above price, the only re muneration they have sought is the protection of their altars, firesides and liberty. Iu the Norwe gian wars, the actors were, every one of them, uamed and pat ronymically described as the King's friend and companion. .Tbe same wonderful indi viduality has been-eee'n in- this war. Our soldiers are not a consolidated mass, an unthinking ma chine, but an army of intelligent units. To desig nate all who have distinguished themselves by spe cial valor, would be to enumerate nearly all iu the army. The generous rivalry between "the troops from different States has prevented any special pre-eminence, and hereafter, for centuries to come, the gallant bearing and unconquerable devotion of Confederate soldier? will inspire tbe hearts and en cotfrage the hopes and strengthen jhe faith of til. who labor to obtain their freedom. For three years this cruel war has been waged against us, and its continuance has been seized upon as a" pretext by some discontented persJhis to excite hostility to the Government. Recent and public as have been theoccurrences, it is strange that a misapprehension exists as to the conduct of the two Governments in reference to peace. Al lusion has been made to the unsuccessful efforts, when separation took place, to procure an amicable adjustment of-5 all matters in dispute These at tempts at negotiation do not comprise all that has been done. In every form in which expression could be given to the sentiment in public meet ings, through the press, by legislative resolves the desire of this people for peace, for the unin terrupted enjoyment of their rights and prosperity, has been made known. The President, more au thoritatively, in .several of his aiessages, while pro testing the utter absence, of ail desire to interfere with the United States, or acquire any of their territory, "has avowed that the ''advent of peace will be hailed with joy. Our desire for it has never been concealed. Our efforts to avoid the war, forced on us as it was by the lust of conquest and the insane passions of our foes, are known to mankind." The course of the Federal Government has proved that it did not desire peaee, and would not consent to it on any terms that we could possibly concede. In proof oj" this, we refer to the repeat ed rejection of all teims of conciliation and com promise, to their recent contemptuous refusal to receive the Vice-President, who was sent to nego tiate, for softening the asperities of war, and their scornful rejection of the offer of'a neutral Power to mediate between tbe contending parties. If cumulative evidence be needed, "it can be found in the followjng resolution, recently adopted by the House of Representatives in Washington : " Rrsolved, That as our country and the very exist ence of the best Government ever instituted by man are imperilled by the most ciiuseless and wicked rebellion that this world Las seen." and believing, as wp do, that the only hope of saving this country and preserving this .Govern ment is by the power of the sword, we are for the most vigorous prosecution of the war until tjhe Constitution and the laws shall be enforced and obeyed in all parts of the United States: and to that end we oppose any armistice t or intervention, or mediation, or proposition for peac. from any quarter, so long as there shall be found a rebel iu arms against the Government; and w-c ignore all party names, lines and issues, and recognise but two parties in this war-patriots and traitors." The motive of such strange conduct is obvious. The Republican party was founded to destroy slavery and fbe equality of the States, and Lincoln was selected as the instruments accomplish-this obiect. The Union was a barrier to the consum mation of this policy, because the Constitution, wbich was its bond, recognized and protected sla very and the sovereignty of the States. The Un ion must, therefore, be sacrificed, and to ensure its destruction, war was determined on. The mass oftffe Northern people. were not privy to, and sympathized in no such design. They loved the Union and wished to preserve it. To rally the people to the support of the war, its ob ject was proclaimed to be "a restoration of the Union," as if that whjch, implied voluntary assent, of which agreement was an indispensable element and condition, could be preserved by coercion. It is absurd to pretend that a Government, really de sirous of restoiing the Union, would adopt such measures as the confiscation of private property, the emancipation of slaves, systematic efforts toin-l vite them to lusurrection, lorcille abduction from their homes and compulsory enlistment in the ar my, the division of a sovereign State without its consent, and a' proclamation that one tenth of the population of a State, and that tenth under mili tary rule, should . control the will of the remaicintr nine-tenths. 'lhe only relation possible between the 'wo sections, under such a policy, is thit of conqueror and conquered, superiorand dependent. Rest assured, fellow-citizens, that although resto ration may still be a war "cry by the Northern Government," it is only to delude and betray. Fa uaiMsisiu uas pummonca io us aiu cupiuiry and vengeance; and nothing short of your utter subju gation, the destrnction of your S'ate Governments, t! e overthrow ot your social social and political fabric. your personal and publio degradation and ruin. will satisfy the Gemands ot the iNorttu Uan there k n nilin KO vile, so debased. n nmrnrthir nf i;i... t as ro accept peace on such humiliating terms l It would bardly be fair to assert that all the ; iNortnern peopie participate m tnese designs. Un ' j the contrary there etiets a powerful political par ly, which openly condemns them. Tbe Adminis tration. has, however, beeu able thus farj by its enormous patronage and its lavish expenditures, to seduce, by.ts legions of "Hessian" mercenaries to overawe the masses, to control the elections, and to establish, au arbitrary despotism. It cannot be possible . that this state of things can continue. The people of the United States, accustomed to freedom, cannot consent to be ruined and enslar ed, in order to-ruin and ,e,cs.lave us. Moral, like nhvsical epidemics, have their 1 lotted periods, and must, sooner or later, be exhausted and disappear. I 8U r'Sut acknowledged as law of war by writers ' , ' . f mi V , . who admit any kmitation. The right of putting to death When reason returns our enemiea wall .probably j an pru,oners in cold blood and without special cause, reflect, bat a people, like ours, who have exbibi- might as well r3 pretended to be a law of war. of the right ted such capabilities, and extemporized such -re- to use poisoned weapons, to assassinate." Trc, ,ever be .ubdued; .ht .IpaoSe inSXK!l'JSSj?,.: pf territory, with such a population; caunot be gov- Government in its purer days, President Lincoln has erned as an .obedient colony. Victory would not be conquest. The inextinguishable quarrel would be transmitted "from bleeding sire to son," and the struggle would he renewed between genera- U jerborn: To ipovUh would only h to drv ud some of the springs of Northern pros Serjty to destroy Southern wealth ia to reduce Torthwn profits, while the restoration of peace would necessarily re-establish some commercial in tercourse. It mav not be amiss in this connexion, to say, that at one time it was the wisn ana erpec- Station of many at the South, to form a treaty of amity and friendship with the Northern States, by j which both peoples might aeuve jtne nenents or commercial intercourse and mov.e on side by side, in the arts of peace and civilization. History has coufirmed the lesson taught by Divine authority, that each nation, as well as each individual, should seek their happiness in the prosperity of others, .ind not. in the iniurv or ruin of a neighbor. The general welfare of all is the highest, dictate of j moral dntv and economic policy, while a heritagei of triumphant wrong is the greatest curse Lhat can befall a nation. . Until some evidence is given of a change of pol icy on the part of the government and some assu rance is received that efforts at negotiation will not be spurned the Congress are of opiuion that the ever present sense of inferiority would make our con any dtrect overtures for peace would compromise j dition Abject and miserable beyond what treemen cau im J i i o ,1 j , ajriuo bubjugation involves eveo-thing that the tort-ur- pur sell-respect, oe nuitiess oi gouu, aim Cu,Fic- ted by the enemy us an indication ot weariless. We can only repeat the desire of the people for peace,and our readiness to accept terms consistent with the honor and integrity aud independence xT the States, and compatible with the safety of our domestic institutions.- Not content with rejecting all proposals for a peaceful settlement of the controversy, a cruel war of invasion was commenced, which, ia its progress, lias been marked bv a brutality and disregard or j ... J J . 1 . , , . . : the rules of civilized Warfare, as staad. out Hi ua exampled bartmrity iu the history of modem wirs. Accompanied by every act of cruelty and raphe, the conduct of the enemy has been destitute of that forbearance and magnanimity, which civiliia tioo and Christianity have introduced to mitiga the asperities of war. The atrocities are too i crcdible for narration. Instead of a regular wai, our resistance of the unholy efforts to crush out our national existance is treated as a rebellion, ani the settled international rules between belligerent) are ignored Instead of conducting the war as be twixt two military and political organizations, it is a war against the whole population. Houses ai3 pillaged and burned. Churches are deface. Towns are ransacked. Clothing of women ard ! childrcn are stripped from their persons. Jewery and mementoes of the dead are stolen. Mills aid 1 implements of agriculture are destroyed. Private j salt-works are broken up. The introduction pf j nedicines is forbidden. Means of subsistence "ae J wantonly wasted to produce beggary. Prisoners i are returned with contagious diseases. The la:t j morsel of food hts been taken from families, wlo ' were not allowed to carry on a trade or branch f . industry. A rigid and offensive esninnane has I been introduced, to ferait out "disloyalty." Pe;- , sons have beeu forced to choose between starvation of helpless children aud taking the oath of allegi ance to a hated Government. The cartel for cc- change )f prisoners has been suspended and otr ; unfortunate soldiers subjected to the grossest in dignities. The wounded at Gettysburgwere de prived of thoir nurses and inhumanly Jcft topciish. on the field. Helpless women have beeu exposed , to tbe most cruel utrages and to that dishonor which is infinitely worse than death. Citizens i i i j i Ai t . i j m vt have been murdered by the Butlers and McNeils . and Milroys, who are favorite generals of our ene- t mies. itcnuea ana delicate ladies have been seiz iz- , cd, bound with cord?, imprisoned, guarded by ne- firoes, and held as hostage's for the return captured slaves. Unoffending none-combatants have been banished or draped from their auiet I homes to be immnrp.rl in filthv i;.il Prftanhincr i 4l ii i r j j-.- I - "-'u uAv.CFc u.. v,uMumu : of taking the 0ah of allegiauce. Parents have ! been forbid (i eo to name their children in bouor of "rebel" chiefs. Property has been confiscated. Military governors have been appbinted for States, satraps for provinces, and II ay ua us for cities. . These cruelties aud atrocities of the enemy have been exceeded by their malicious and blood-thirsty purposes and machinations in reference to tbe slaves. Early in this war, President Lincoln averred his constitutional inability and personal Unwillingness, to interfere with the domestic insti tutions of he States and the relation between mas ter and servant. Presidential considerations may have been veiled under conscientious scruples, for Seward, in a confidential instruction to Mr Adams, the Minister to (Jreat Britain, on '.10th March, 18G2, said : "If the Govern men t of the United States should precipitately decree the abolition of slavery, it would reinyigorafe the declining insur rection in every part of the South," Subsequent reverses and the refractory rebelliousness of the se ceded States caused a change of policy, and Mr Lincoln issued his celebrated proclamation, a mere brutcm fulmen, liberating the slaves in the "in surrectionary districts." On the 24th June, 1770, one of the reasons assigned by Pennsylvania for ner separation irom the mother country was that, iu her sister colonies, the 4Jing had excittS the negroes to revolt," and to inibu& their hands in the blood of their masters, in a manner unpractis ed by civilized nations." This, probably,-had re fftrencc to the proclamation of'Duamorc, the last royal Governor of Virghaa, in 1775, declaring freedom to all servants. or negroes, if they wuuld join "for the reducing the colony to a proper sense of its duty." The invitation to the slaves to rise against their masters,. the suggested insurrection causeu, says jancrolt, "a thrill ot indi;natin to run through ia, effacing all differences of party, and rousing dhc strong, imfrassioncd pur and pose to drive away the insolent power by which it had been put forth." A cotempotary annalist, ad verting to lhisame proclamation, said "it was re ceived with the greatest horror in all the colonies.'' The policy adopted by -Dunmort ,'' says Lawreuce in tus notes on vvlieatoii, "ot arming the slaves against their j masters, was not pursnKl during the. war ot the Kevoln-l pursnKl durimr thft war of the Re vol n tion; and when negroes weie taken by the English, they wt,ro t omw.Hmi Ider.' Emancipation uierwise man as property ana plun cf slaves as a war. measure has been severely condemned and denounced by the most eminent publicists in Europe and the United States. The United States, "in their dip!nmaticreIations, havtever maintain ed," says the Northern authority just quoted, "that slaves were private oroperty.and for them, as such, they have re ieaiy receiveu compensation irom ngiauu." isapo- r b-on 1, was never induced to issue a proclamation for" the emancipation or the sens in his. war with Russia. He said : I could have armed against her a part of her pop ulation, by proclaiming th liberty of the serfs. A great number of villages asked it of me, but. I refused to aYail myself of a measure which would havedevoted to death thousands of families." In the discussions growing out of the treaty oi peace of 1814. and the proffered mediation of Russia, the principle was maintained by the United States that "the emancipation cf enemy's siaves is not among the acts of legitimate warfare.' In the instructions from John Quincy Adams, as Secretary of State, io Mr. Middleton, at Saint ?etersburg, Oct 18th, 18g0.it h said: "The British have broadly asserted tbe right of emancipa- - i . i i. i . i tmS slaves (private property) as a legitimate right of w sWht to convert the South into a St Domingo, bj ap- ?. . ,i .... j i-ifv nrthA pealmer to tc cupiany, jusia, amouron mm wwV, - slave. Abraham Lincoln is but the lineal oescenaant at Dunmore, and the impotent malice of each was foiled by the fidelity or tnose who by the Weanness oi me conspisa- 'rrfthSd S. "" idleness, filth, .vice, berffarv and death But we tire of these indignities and enormities. They ' LORV those who committed and encouraged such crimes as immortal infamy. Gen. Robert E. Lee, in a recent battle order, stated to ' ' his invincible legions that the " "cruel foe geeks to reduce our fathers and mothers, our wives and children to abject slavery." He does not paint too strongfy the purposes of : the enemy 01 uie coosequeuces or supjugauou. t uu um been done in certain districts, is but the pf ologue of the bloody drama that will be enacted. It is well that every man and woman should have some just conception of the horrors of conquest'. The fate of Ireland at the period of its conquest, and of Poland, distinctly foreshadows what would await us. The guillotine, in its ceaseless work of blood, would be revived for the execution of the r4 rebel leaders." Tbe heroes of our contest would be required to lay down their proud ensigns, on which are recorded the battle-fields of their glory, to stack their arms, lower their heads iu humiliation and dishonor, and pass under the 1 1 1 ' .! - l , . ' yoke oi aoomjou unsruie auu tyranny. A hateful icquisition. made atrocious by spies- and in formers; star chamber courts, enforcing theif decisions by confiscatioES, imprisonments, banishments and death ; a band of di;iectives, ferretinsr out secrets, lurkinsr in every family, existing in every conveyance; the suppression of free speech; the deprivation or arms and franchises; ana nalu.e an( deviIjgu ingenuity of cur 1oc-b can suggest. Thei destruction of our nationalty. the equalizatiou of whites aud blacks, the obliteration ot btate hues, degraua tiou to colonial vassalage and the reduction of inauy of our citizens to dreary, hopeless, remediless bondage. A .hostile police would keep "order" in every town and city. Judges; like Busteed, would hold our courts, protected by Yankee soldiers. Churches weuld be filled by Yankee or tory preachers. Every office w'ould bo bestowed on aliens. Absenteeism would curse us with all its vices. Superadded to these, sinking us into a lower abyss of de gradation, we would be made slaves of our slaves, hewers ' ' - ot wood and drawers of water for those upon whom God 1... i,..,i ,ii:i,i .!.., l r ;iil., has stamped indellibly the marks of physical and intellec tual inferiority. The past or foreigti counuies need not besought into to fnrniih illustrations of the heritage of shame that subjugation would ffntail. Baltimore, Saint Leuis. Nashville. Kuoxville, New Orleans. Vicksburg, Huutsville. Norfolk, Newbern. Louisville and Fredericks burg are the first fruits of the ignominy and poverty of Yankee domination. The sad story of the wrongs and indiguities endured by'those States which have been in the complete or par tial possessiou of the enemy, will give the best evidence of the consequences of subjugation. Missouri, a magnifi cent empire of agricultural and mineral wealth, is to-day a smoking ruin and the theatre of the most revolting cru elties aad barbarisms. The minions "of tyranny consume ; her substance. : plunder her citizL-us, atfd destroy her peace, j The sacred rights of freemen, are struck dowii, and the j blood of her children, her maidecs and her old men, is . made to flow, out of mere . wantonness and recklessness. No whispers of freedom go unpunished, and the very in- stincts of self preservation are outlawed. The worship of uoa ana the rites oi sepulture have been shamefully in terrupted, and, in 'many instances, the cultivation of the I -v (i vui winu ,v jav, unu tinA ua. .xxicac lavia air i i- tested by many witnesses, and it is but a just tribute to that uoble and chivalrous people, that, amid barbarities al most unparalleled;,, they still' maintain a proud and defiant spirit towards their enemies. In Maryland, the judiciary, mad subservient to execu tive absolutism, furnishes no security for iudividual rights or personal freedom ; members of the Legislature are ar rested and imprisoned without process of law or assign ment of CallSe. atld fll W''"hllo lntirl lyrn.nlitli milur lion ,r,- pressious of a merciless tyranny. in Kentucky, the ballot tox lias been overthrown, free speech is suppressed, the most vexatious annoyances ha rass and embitter, and all the arts and appliauces of an llll.SCninlllllllS desnrotism nr3 fravv i.cn1 frv nnirnit tha uprising of the noble patriots of ' i he dark aud bloody ground. N otes of gladness, assurances of a brighter day teach us, and the exiles may take courage aud hope for the future." In Virginia. iVtp mnAi, nf oil flmf illnofmf. Im.n 1 roismand self-denvhifr natrin;m aiiUiA of desolation has swept over her fair domains, no sign of rcP'-"tauce fftr her separation from the North can be found, Hr homesteads dismantled, her ancestral relics destroyed, hor le impoveris,lod, ht.r territory made the battlv ground for the rude shocks oL contending hosts, and then uivided, with hireling parasites mockinerb claiming juris- diction and authority, the Old Dominion still stands with rtitil i-nt' nnA . I a a l X. ... Sic S.:mpek Tyhannis. the nroudest motto that ever blazed on a nation's shield or a warriors arms . To -prevent such effects, our people are noW prosecu- ting tlis struggle. It is no mere war of Calculation, no J coutt.st tor peculiar kind of property, uo barter of precious blood for filthy lucre. Evervthiutr involved in manhood. civilization, religion, kw. urooertv. country, home, is at stake. We right not for plunder, spoils, pillage, territo rial conquest.' The Government tempts by no prizes of "beauty or booty," to be drawn in the lottery of this war. We. seek to preserve civil freedom, honor, equality, fire sides; and blood is well shed, when "shed for our family, for our friends, for our kind, for our country, for our God," Burke said, "a State, resolved to hazard its existence rather than abandon its object, must have an infinite ad vantage over that which is resolved to yield rather than to cany its resistance beyond a certain point." It is bet ter to be conquered by any other nation than by the United States. It is better to be a dependency. of any other power than of that. By the condition ef its exist ence aud essential constitution, as now governed., it must be in perpetual hostility to us. As the Spanish invader burned his ships to make retreat impossible, so we carmot atTord to take steps backward. -Retreat is more dangerous than advance. Behind us, are inferiority and degradation. Before us is everything enticing to a patriot. Our bitter and implacable foes are preparing vigorously for the coming campaign. Corresponding efforts sSould be made on our part. Without murmuring, our people should respond to the lawSj, which the exige ncy demands. Every one capable of bearing arms, should be connected with some efficient military organization. The utmost energies of the whole population should be taxed to pro duce food and clothing, and a spirit of cheerfulness and trust iu an all-wise and overruling Providence should be cultivated. ... The history of the past three years has much to animate us to renewed, effort, and a firmer and more assured hope. A whole people have given their hearts and bodies to repel the invader, and costly sacrifices have been made on tbe altar of our country. No similar instance is to be found of such spontaneous uprising and volunteering. Inspired by a holy patriotism, again and again have our brave soldiors, with the aid of Heaven, bafikd the efforts of our foes. . : ' It is in no arrogant spirit, that we refer to successes that have cost us so much blood, and brought sorrow to so many hearts. We may find in all this an earnestof what, with determined and resolnte exertion, we can do to vert subjugation and slavery and we cannot fail to discern in our deliverance from so many and so great perils, the in terposition of that being who will not forsake us in the trials that are to come. Let us, then, looking upon the bodies of our loved and honored dead, catch inspiration from their example, and gather renewed confidence and a firmer resolve to tread, with unfaltering trust, the path that leads to honor and peace, though it leads throngh tears and suffering and, blood. We have no alternative but to do our duty. We com bat for property, homes, th; houor of our wives, the future of our-children, the preservation of our fair land from pol- lution, and to avert a doom w hich we can read, both in tb the threats of our enemies and Hia acts of opprossion, we have af hided to in this address. The situation is grave, but furnishes no just excuse for despondence. Instead of harsh criticisms ou the Govern ment and our generals; instead of bewailing the failure to accomplish impossibilities, we should rather be grateful, humbly and piofouudly, to a benignant Providence for the results that have rewarded our labors. Remembering the disproportion in population, in military and naval re sources and the deficiency of skilled labor in the South, our accomplishments have surpassed those recorded of auy people in the world. There is no just reason for hope lessness or Tear Since the outbreak of the war, the South has lost the nominal possession of the Mississippi river, and fragments of her territory , but Federal occupancy is not conquest. The fires of patriotism still burn unouench- ably in the breasts of those who are 6jibjecl to foreign do- I urination. We yet nave in our uninterrupted control a I territory, which, according to past progress, will require SJaJ - J A - w Km I UM1IIIA I lUUil U . Villi VI CS the enemy ten years to overrun The enmy is not free from difficulties. With an enor mous debt, the financial Convulsion, long postponed, is surely coming. The short crops in the United States, and abundant harvests in Europe, will hasten what was other wise inevitable. Many sagacious persons at the North disco ver in the usurpation of their Government the cer tain overthrow of their liberties. A large number revolt from the unjust war waged upon the South, and would gladly bring it to aa end. Others look with alarm on the complete subversion of constitutional freedom by Abra ham Lincoln, aud feel in their own persons the bitterness of the slavery which three years of war have failed to in flict on the South. Brave and earnest men at the North - . . ... i . 9i nave Bpokenout again tbe usurpation ana crueiuea uauj. nrsAtWd Tha fmrcfftA of thA men over tht) radical ana TX it x. 1 ,- " . oespouc action -u, .TAtf u bloody and unnecessary war. In conclusion, we exnon our ieuow cuiEena roneoi good cheer and spare no labor, nor aacrifice that may be necessary to enable us to win the" campairu upon which wv have just, entered We have passed through great triala nf fflit;n fcnt aiifferimr ana humiliation are the schoolmasters that lead nations to self-reliauce and inde pendence. These disciplinary provujences but mature. and develop and sohdiiy our people. v org iubi mo supplies and resources of tbe coup try, which are ample, may be "sold to the Government to support and rquip its armies. l.rt all nirit of faction and Dftfct party differences be forerotten in the nresence of our cruel foe. We should be self-den vine W should labor to extend to the ut- . .u.. . r w- .a. ixt- .u,i,l economise. ml a ;!!..!. 1.1 L. C,r and liberally supplied. We entreat from all, a. generous and hearty co-operation with the GoTrument in all branches of its administration, and with the agents, civil or military, in the performance of their duty. Moral aid has the "power of the incommunicable," and by united efforts, by an all-compreheuding and self-sacrificing patriotism, we can with the blessing of God, avert the perils which environ us, and achieve for ourself es and children peace and freedom. Hitherto, the Lord has inter posed graciously to bring us victory, and in His hand there is present power to "prevent this great multitude which come against us, from casting us out of the posses sion which He has given us to inherit T. J. SEMMES, J- L. ORK. A. E. MAXWELL, , Committee on the part of Senate . J. W. CLAPP, J. L. M. CUUKY, JULIAN HARTRIDGE", JOHN GOODE, JR., W. N. ii- smith; Committee of House of Representatives. In addition to the above, all the nwrabers'present signed it. X UO lUUIUrs oi wiurcre uuuiu ire w "War ISTews- CONFEDERATE VICTORY IN FLORIDA. Tallahassee, Fla., Feb. 21. To the President: lowing despatch from I have just received the fol- uen. riunegan, dated yes- terday: -. - "I met the enemy in full force to-day,, under Gen. Seymour, and defeated him with great loss. I captured five pieces of artillery, hold possession of the field, aud the killed and wouuded of the enemy. ily cavalry are in pursuit. I don't know precisely the number of prisoners, as they are be ing brought in constantly; My whole loss will not, I think, exceed 250 killed and wounded. Among them I mourn the loss of many brave offi cers and men." I understand tht Gen. Fi'nnegan also captured many small afms. '. . (Signed), JoilN Milton, Governor. Charleston, Feb. 23. To Gen. S. Cooper: The latest reports from Gen Pinnegan give no par ticulars, of the victory at Ocean Pond, except that be has taken all ot the enemy s artillery; some five or six hundred stand of small arms already collect ed, and that the roads for three miles are strewed with the e'uemy's deadaud wounded. - G. T. Beauregard. - An official dispatch from Gen Finnegan, dated Saudersville, via Tallahassee, 26: b inst.,says: 44My advanced guard occupy Buldwin ; my main force will reach there this afternoon. The enemy have retreated to Jacksonville." -PBOM MISSISSIPPI. ' Demopolis, Ala.,-Feb 23 The enejny's forces are along the line of the Mobile and Ohio iiailroad, and are making a retrogade movement in the di rection of the Mississippi river. Their mounted infantry in North Mississippi are also retiring, be ing closely pressed by Gens Forrest and Lee. A letter stales that Dn'the 20th .the enemy left Meridian for Raymond or Canton, our cavalry pur suing. Gen Forest has Gricrson surrouuded, aud has captured many prisoners. . LATER. An official telegram has been received in Rich mond from Gen Polk, transmitting a dispatch fiom Gen Lee, dated Starksvill Miss., 23d. Gen Lee says Forrest reports severe fightingall day yester day, ten miles south of Pontotoc. We killed 40 of the enemy, and captured 100. j Our los not so large. . We also captured four fine pieces of artil lery. - . Fighting commenced near Okalona this evening, and was stubbornly contested, as' the enemy was forced to make repeated stands 'to hold us in check, and save his pack mules from 6tampading. The fight closed with a grand cavalry charge, by which the enemy's whole force . was completely routed, with heavy loss. " Demopolis, Feb 26. Later intelligence from Mississippi states that Gen. Forrest's loss, during tbe recent engagement near Okalona, did not ex ceed two thousand, while the enemy's loss is esti mated at six thousand. Late on the evening of tbe 22d, the enemy formed three several times and made desperate stands, but our troops charged them on' horseback, with sabres, and each time the enemy recoiled and were driven back wiih great slaughter. Many of them passed through' our lines and wero captured. The road was lined with sutler's stores thrown away, dead horses and Yankees. - Next morning Gen. Forrest's command were too much fatigu.ttd to continue the : pursuit. . Gen G-holson with six or seven hundred Mississippi State troops went in pursuit. Many of (he ene 'my's wounded fell into our hands. Among our wounded is Col. Barton of Bell's Brigade, severely in the breast. Gen. Gholson has captured many prisoners, small arms, sabre, saddles, &c, and still is puieuing them. Gen. Fotrest had two horses shot under him. lie killed two Yaukecs with his sabre. ' . Sherman's advance has reached Pearl river. FROM JOHNSTON'S ARMY. .Dalton, Ga., Feb. 25 Our army is in line of battle at liwineil Hill. There was a sharp en gagement yesterday between Clayton's brigade and the enemy, which lasted hrif the day. Woolford's cavalry, bailed by a regiment of infantry Attack ed our line, and were repulsed' three times. 'In the first assault 100 Yankee saddles were emptietJ. Our artillery did great execution. There has been heavy artillery skirmishing along the lines, at interval?, all day, with occasion al volleys of musketry. Both sides are evidently maneuvering for position. Casualties trifling. FROM EAST TENNESSEE. Bristol, Feb 24. A letter from Powxll's riv er, near Cumberland Gap, dated 20th inst.. states that several Yankee regiments lately passed i f,Jrou8,1 tce aP 00 8IX,J daJ8 lurlough, declar I m a . . ' j log they would never return. Uen. Grant refu&ed j to tive any uioreifurloughs. -There is no more re- i enlisting in tbe Yankee army. There ia but five re-iments at tbe Gap. They are closely besieced, S tr e i -r . " ub j aud suffering for supplies. It is expected they f Will evacuate the place iu a short time. The notorious tory Jones, of Claiborne county, ! was captured near Tazewell, few days a. j 1- . j', r . i . , 1 lt is stated that Gen. Longstreet can take pos-1 session -of Knoxville whenever be chooses todoj t . I. J.JJ1. T so. Brownlow must skedaddle again. m ma ' mrm - . 4LX K a iate ui roi k iiiimrB Co, i n. r ri- c..;,. t . . WVMtf VI A Hlllt YWCW 7-91Stimm V Hit A FTIM. I MTJ ' H D Stowe, adm'r of Harbert Stowe.'dec'd, v.. . , . . . i i" ir i tinroeri sip deceased. It appearing to the satis factioa of the Court that W II Nicholson and wife M. 11., defendants ia tbii cu reside-beyond the limiti of this State : It ii ordered by the Court that publication be made in tile Weitera Democrat, a aewpaner published in the town of Ch. lotte, notifying ajd defendant to be and appear at tbt next term ot this uortrt, to De neid lor raid county at the Court House ia Charlotte, on the 3d Monday iB April next, and plead, answer or demur to this ptti. : :.. i . r f,i . - ..i : uou' V V coneso win oe : : : .. i . f,t lakeu ana the nie Deara exparte as io nim. Witness, Win. Maxwell, Cleft of our said Court tt office, ia Charlotte, the 2d Monday in January, 1 6C4. Feb 23 WM. MAXWELL, Clerk. :Stale of 1. Carolina Ctttnwbu County, In Equity to Spring Term, 1864. ISJCWCTIOX. .Electios Connor v. Wra. Long ard Colurabm Connor. ? In this case it appearing from tbe oath of Elcctiui Connor that Columbus Connor it not an iahabiuoVcf this State, publication is therefore made (in CcorJoce with aa act of the Legislature) in tbe Western Demo cral, published at Charlotte, for cii wceki, for the mij Columbus Connor to appear at the next term of the Saperior Court of Law and Equity to beheld at tbe court bouse in Kewtoa, on the 4th Monday after the 4th Monday in March neat, then and. there to plead, Answer or demur, or judgment pro confesao will be taken as to him. , Witness, O. Campbell, Clerk and Matter atbflicf, the 4th Monday after the 4th Monday in October, 18(13. pr adv.$l5. O. CAMPBELL, C. M. R. State ofNorf Ii Carollliu-Uiilon Count. Court of J'leat and Quarter Setriont Jan. Terr, 1864. Cnllen Curlee, Ex'r of Obediah Cor lee, t. Thomn Q. Curlee and others. " Petitiou for Settlement. It appearing to tbe satisfaction of the Court that tbe defendants, Obediah Bauconf, Joiinh Baucoro, Kliihe. Mullis, and Uerron Williams, are beyond the limiti of this State : It if therefore ordered by the Court that publication be made for six successive weeks io tbe Western Democrat, a paper published io the twwu of Charlotte, notifying said defendants to be Kitd nfipear at tbe next term of thi Court to be held for the Coun ty of Union, at the Court llouwe in Monroe, on the lit Monday in April next, then abd there to plead, answer or demur to the petitioa, or judgment pro eoufesso will be taken and the same heard e parte a to them. Witness, J E Irby, Clerk of oar said Qourt at office; iu Monroe, ou the' 1st Monday in Januarr, A D 1 804. Feb 23 Cvr J E IUBY, Cleik. HOUSE FOIt KKt7 In Monroe, Union county, N C.,neat arid comfortable buildings and pleasant situation, in the suburbs of town. D. A. COVJNGTOX. Monroe, Feb 2, 1864 lm $100 UUWAKO. Runaway about the 1st May luft,.a negro girl named JANE, belonging Io the estate of A. A. CoflVy, dee'd. Said negro is 15 or 16 years old, about 5 feet 6 inebrs. high, very dark. .She has very Inrge feet, toes turned out much more than common. It is .uppoed t bat she is in the neighborhood of Charlotte, N. C, and is pais, ing herself as free. I will pay one hundred dollars for the apprehension and delivery of said nero to Die, or if lodged in any Jail so that I can fret her. R Q. POTTS, Adrar. Pleaant ValleyLancajter Disi., S. C. Feb 2, 18G4 3mpd RUNAWAY From the pfantation of Mrs. It. A. Ilunter.tn Sharon neighborhood, a negro man named WASH, about 35 years old, medium size, and copper rolor. Il is Sup posed ihat he has been persuaded off by some mean while person, and may be trying to make his way to the Yankees. . A reward of $100 will be pnid for bit apprehension and delivery to me, or his confinement ia ir J. W. UVSrKR. Feb 2, 1864. lm-pd 1 Announcement. . We, as soldiers, respectfully annodnce THOMAS It. MAOlLLas a-candidate for the House of Commons (or Union county, at our next regular election la Aug. next, and as such will be voted for by Many Sommkvs lit tub Akmt. December 22, 18C3 , tepd Announcement. We, as soldiers, respectfully announce Capt. J. E. MOOIIE as a candidate for SbrrilT of Union county at onr next regular election ic AuguM, and -as such will be voted for bv yxi Soluixri. Feb. 16, J 864 tf 1)11. J. M. M1LLEK, Charlotte, N. C, Csin be found at his Office next doer to Hutchison's Drug Store, opposite tbe Democrat Oflice. Jan. 12, 18G4. Statu of IV. Carolina nrcklcnbnrff Co. Court of rieas $ Quarter Session Jan. Trm, J863. James Hood vs. Martin Harky. Petition for the partition of the Lands of John Harky, deceased. It appearing to the satisfaction of the Conrt that Martin Harky, the defendant in this case, resides be yond the limits of th'u State, U is ordered by theCourt lhat advertisement be made in the Western Democrat for six weeks, commanding said defendant to appear at the. next Term of this 'Jourt to be held for said county, at the Court Honse in Charlotte, on the 2nd Monday in April next, and plead, answer or demur to hthi3petitiin, or judgment pro confesso will be uutered against him. Witness, Wm. Maxwell, Clerk of our said Court, at office in Charlotte, the 2d Monday in January, 1864. 8-Ct WM. MAXWELL, CUrk. NOTICE. ' The firm of WILLIAMS, OATES k CO., Is this day (Jan. 1st, 1864) dissolved by mutual consent. All persons interested will call and close tbeir accounts Lwitb either of the undersigned. L. S. WILLIAMS, L. W. BANDERS. January 12, 18G4 Sail ! Salt! Naif ! We will exchange Virginia Salt for Pork, on as good "terms as any body. VOUNG. WRISTON k ORIL December I, 1863 if ' n i ConHcrjpt Olftce, " ) Raleigh, N. U, February 11, 1864.) The following "JSotice"JYoin the Bureau of Conscrip tion, is published for the guidance of nil concerned. Compliance with its directions will save applicants for exemption or detail much unnecessary delay In the in vestigation of tbeir claims. By order of the commandant, E. J. HARD.V, Adj t. . " NOTICE. ' : . Confederate States or AMsaici. War DsVt, 1 Bureau of Conscription, Richmond, Jan. 20, 1864. Paragraph X of General Orders No. 82, Adj t and Inspector General's Oflice, of !82, requires that "ap plications for exemption must in all cass be made to the Enrolling Officer " . If tbe Icoil Enrolling Olflcer has not the power to act,-or is in doubt,.be will after investigation under Circular So. t, rurient series, refer sursj applications, tkmiiirb the nroDcr official channels, to tbis uureau. All such applicntions addressed to ibis Bureau will necessarily and inrarbbly be returntd for local invest!- gation, and the applicants will iIims have utelefsly lost tim d Prolonged sospeuse. Appeals from adverse decisions of the local officers, and lhe ,mmMrdaot of Conscripts for the State, will be forwarded by thent for hearing when any plao- Bible ground of appeal istet forth, Commandant of Conscripts will give this notice x- tensive circulation in lhe local press of their respsc- ,: ,.,.. Rr order of ol. Preston. Knnt.. C. B. DUFF1ELD, A. A. O. . .1 . . j Feb 16, !64 lm
The Charlotte Democrat (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
March 1, 1864, edition 1
2
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75