The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-07-23

hope that this promised reply which has not yet been
received will convey the that prisoners OF
will be treated in this unhappy contest with that
regard to humanity which has been spicuous in
modern warfare. As measure of Precaution, however
and until the promised reply is received, still retain
in close custody the and officers captured from the
enemy, whom it had been my pleasure previously TO
enlarge parole and whose fate must necessarily de-
pend on that of the prisoners held by the enemy ap
pend CODY of my communication to the President and
Comma chief of the Army and Navy of the T.
States and of the report of the officer charged to de-
liver it, THESE reports were not teegraphed with
the Message
There are some other passages the remarkable pa
per which have directed your attention, having
ference to the peculiar relations which exist between
this Government and the States usually termed Border
Slave States which cannot properly be withheld from
notice The hearts of people animated by sen
tments towards the inhabitants of these States which
found expression in enactment refusing consi
der them enemies, to authorize hostlities against
them That very large portion of the people of these
States regard brethren: that if unrestraned by
the actual OF large armies, the suoverson OF
civil AUTHORITY and the declaration of martial law,
of them least, would joyfully unite with that
they are with almost entire unanimy, opposed to the
prosecution of the waged against us-are facts of
which daily occurring events fully the assertion.
The present United States Government refuses to re-
cognize these late sister States the right of
framing attack US, and justes his refusal
by the assertion that the States have other power
than that reserved them by the Union and the Con-
sttution, of them having ever been State out
of the Union This view of the Constitutional relations
leads consider another assertion OF the message
that the Executive possesses the Of suspending
the writ of habeas corpus and of delegang that
to military commanders at his discretion; and both
these propositions claim a respect equal to that which
felt for the additional statement of opinion in the
paper that it 10 proper, in order to execute the
laws, that some single law made in such extreme ten
derness of the citizens liberty that practically it
lieves Of the guilty than the innocent should to
very limited extent be violated. We may we'll
oce that we have forever severed connection with
Government that thus tramples all the principles
of constitutional liberty, and with people in whose
presence such avowals could be haZarded.
The operations in the field will be greatly extended
by reason OF the policy which was heretofore secretly
entertained but is openly avowed and acted by
the United States The forces hitherto raised proved
ample for the defence of the States which orgi
nally organized the Conedcracy is evidenced by the
fact that with the exception of three foI tilted islands,
whose defence is efficiently aided by preponderatng
naval force, the enemy has been driven completely
of those States and the expiration Of months
from the formation of the Government, not single
hostile foot presses their soil.
These forces, however must necessarily prove made
quae to rcpr invasion by half million of men pro-
posed by the enemy, and corresponding increase of
force will become nrccssaIy. The rccommt ndaton for
the raising of efficient equipment for this additional
force will be- contained in communication from the Sc
cretary OF War, to which need scarcely invite your
est attention..
In my Message delivered in April last referred to the
promise of abundant crops with which cheered.
The grain crops generally have since been harvested and
the yield proved be- the most abundant known in
history Many believe that the supply will be adequate
to tw" years consumption of our population. Cotton,
gar and tobacco. forming the surplus production of
agriculture and furnishing the basis of commercial in
trchagrs present the most cheering promise and kind
Providence has smiled on the labor which the
ternng wealth of our soil in all portions of Confcd-
cracy 1t is the gratifying to be able to give you
this noation because Of the need of large and nceas-
ed expenditures in the supply of our army.
Elevated and purified by the sacred which they
maintain. fellow citizens of every condition of life,
exhibit the most se-sacrfcng devotion They manifest
I6n6
by any resources other than their and the immense
wealth which fertile soil and genial climate have
more strkngy displayed than in the large which,
with eager ZEAL they have contributed at the call Of their
country In the single article Of cotton the subscriptions
the loan proposed by the Government cannot fall short
of fifty millions of dollars, and will probably largely
coed that sum- and scarcely article required for the
OF armies has been provided otherwise
devised by your wisdom.
The Secretary Of the Treasury, in his report submitted
will give you the amplest details i'll connection
with that branch Of the public service.
But is not alone i'll their prompt pccunary contribu
tons that the noble of fr'a who inhabt these
evince how worthy they those liberties which
they so well know how q defend. In numbers far ex-
ccedng those authorized by your laws they have pressed
thu tender of their services against the enemy Their
udc of calm and sublime devotion to their Countrywide
cool and confident courage with which they already
preparing to- meet the threatened invasion in whatever
it assume-thc that their
hces and their services will be renewed from to
with unfaring purpose until they have made good TO
the their right of generous
and almost unqucstionAbe confidence which they display
in their Government during the pending strugge-al
combine to present spectacle such the world rarely
ever To speak of subjugatng such people, so
united and determined is to speak language incomprc
rnsibe to them To resist attack their rights and
liberties is with them an instinct
Whether this shall last one, three five years, is
problem they leave be solved by the enemy alone. 1t
will last until the enemy shall have Withdrawn from their
their political rights. their affairs and their
houses freed from invasion. Then, and then only, will
hey rest from this struggle, and enjoy in peace the bless
ing which, with the favor of Providence they have
ID by the aid of their strong h. and sturdy
JEFFERSON DAVIS