Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-08-09
FOR THE PREss,

I ---O~~-0e
FOR THE PRESS.
The terrific struggle in which the Confeder.
ate States is engaged with a vulgar and brutal
desPotism. that sends with its invading hosts.
the manaclco it has prepared for our haud, is
contest that demands the use Of all the vast
resources of its citizens. The spontaneous pa
triotism Of individuals has rarely supplied to
any government the means of mantaininp its
rights IN such a contest, and it would be folly
TO trust in reliance so precarious. Experi-
| ence teaches that individuals exist in all COM
munities. whose love of ease and of thrift
prompt them 10 evade the perilr and the sscriti
ees which are usually involved in the MAINTAIN.
"nce ot liberty. aud often in the preservation
OF the moat scanty measure of personal free
dom. They seek to pursue with wonted Sc
curity and thrift their usual. vocatisns,' even
when tho din of clashing arms arouses and
starties whole continent; and whatever aid
they render to the cause of liberty is wrung
from their reluctant grasp by the strong arm Of
public authority. 1t is at all times fit, that
tho citisen understand his duties to his coun-
try. and especially is it proper that he know
Them IN the midst of war. 1t is the purpose
OF this paper very briefly to indicate the indis-
putable power of the Confederate States over
the peFsons and property of it's own citizens,
and over citizens Of the hostle government,
who are now. or may hereafter be found with
| in their borders.
The instant and inevitable effect Of seces-
sion was to assign to the seeding States. the
relation OF foreign States to the State from
which they separated, aud to establish between
the citizens Of each the relation of foreieoers.
mat great act Of sovereignty absolved the
c't'zen from the duty of obedience to the Gov
ernment aud authorities of the United States.
and divestedhim of all the rights, OWL and
political. which he derived from the comnoct
known as the Federal Constitution. But the
Immediate effect of the war between the Con-
federnte States and the United States upon
the citizens of each converted them into enc
miles, alien enemies. and imposed upon them
the duties and disabilities of foreign ene-
mics. War is not merely the state of hostility
between governments as political bodies, but
between the citizens of hostile States; and no
citizen OF either can be allowed to OCCUPY the
position of a neutral toward the enemy of his
own country. He is not permitted to exercise
own' as to the expediency of the war, or the
measure OF his own services. His Government
defines his position, and it's stern mandate in
| exorably prcscribes his duties. The Govern
ment possesses unlimited aud irresponsible
power over his person and his property, and
oy Its mere volition may send him to the army
to light its battles, and appropriate his proper.
ty to pay the charges of the war. And whilst
war allows no neutrals amongst the citizens of
hostile States, its stern logic pronounces him
who is no. the open, active advocate of it's
cause, an undisguseq enemy of its sovereignty.
Its imperious policy accepts no vauntine words
as proofs of loyalty. Personal services in the
army, or free contributions of money are the
only recognised manifestations of patriotism
War demands men and money. and levies the
Tremendous tribute for its rsnks and it. coffers
by the swift and simple agencies of conscrip-
tion aud taxation.
Pending hostilities all intercourse, commercial
and social, between citizens ofhostie States.
is unlawful. All contracts between them are
snnulled or suspended. The Courts of eacl,
are closed against the citizen Of the other Az
the law witholds its remedies SO does it witt
draw it's protection. Not only are they de-
MED access to the Courts, but they are not Fer
mitted to reside or to hold property in the
country of the enemy. The sturdy policy of
war; and the infexible law of nations oou-
demus their persons to imprisonment and their
estates to confiscation. It is even a misde-
meanor at Common Law to hold business inter.
course with the citizens of country at war
.Sth xh.tl
country, or in ours The character of enemies
clings to them wherever they meet whether
they meet in the counting room, tho work
shop. or the battle field.
These rights of war have been exercised
against citizens of the Confederate States with.
out scruple and without stint, and our own
Government. is providing swim and ample re-
taliation. The right to hold intercourse, either
personal, or by correspondence, to carry on
ritory Of hostile State. is denied to the
citizens Of a belligerent country, and is
ss unlawful as it is Incompatible with the
public safety. The paramount duty Of the
citizen is to his own Governments, and whom
he is found within tho borders Of the enemy
he 10 deemed to be a spy. and the fact usu.
ally coinoides ith the presumption. Az the
very presence amongst US Of citizens Of States
that are aiding to conquer and subjugate the
Confederate States, is unlaw ful, the toleration
of them by our citizens whilst it may not par.
take of the turpituds of treason Is fraught
with much Of its mischief Tlfss domestic
peace, no less than the public safety of the
South demands that all who are not citizens of
the Confedesats States should instantly with
draw, or be expelled from their limits. and
that all who are citizens should. without delay
and without stint lay upon its alssBk their
valor aud their treasure. tS.
PUBLIC NOTICE.
hereby notify the public that one JOHN |
W.. HALL, htsly s-clsrk 10 MY Confectionery. |
has been discharged from my employ, for .
brsaeh Of trust which am Sbls 70 establish !