American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1861-07-27

of the slave trade with Africa, would make
no quarrel with any friendly nation that
may, for itself, allow it to its own citizens.
/ am in favor of suitable legislation, If nee
essary, to give entire freedom to the trade
in slaves between the Confederate States.
/ would encourage, by all constitutional
means, our main existing lines of railroad,
especially those which are making sacrifices
to maintain our cause, by favorable terms
accorded the Governments, State and Con-
Tolerate, in the transmission of the mail, and
transportation of troops and munitions OF
war.
1 would secure a stable government by
encouraging schools, colleges and univers-
ties, and by securing entire freedom of relI-
gion and conscience.
In the location of our National Capital, l
would prefer, in the State, Meridian or
Coriath, and if it travel East or North, in
succession, some point in the mountain re-
gion of Tenn. or Virginia, inaccessible to an
invading enemy, or the ravages of disease.
The accession of Missouri, Kentucky and
Maryland, now coming to ns through the
agony of their children, would modify my
views as to precise location. / would en-
deavor to secure Confederate Armory and
Arsenal, and Barracks, at Vicksburg, or at
Jackson or BrandonZespecially in connec-
ton with State Military Institute, if our
Legislature shall deem it wise to endow
one.
/ / would hasten peace by the most eifec-
tive war, and aim to make the enemy pay
the cost, by an entire confiscation TO the
use of the Confederacy of every debt due to
the citizens or corporations of the Lincoln
States from citizens, corporations or States
of the Confederate States, and of all lands
within our borders held by alien enemies or
in trust for them. We owe this TO ourselves
as our enemy is doing it already. If they
confscate the property of worthy citizens of
the Confederacy, we may, and / think ought,
on satisfactory proof Of loss, make them full
reeompense out Of the confscated property,
or effects of the enemy. l would give to
debtors owing Northern debts, honestly dis
closing them, ample time to pay, on making
their debts secure to the Governments.
1t is important, also, that the Government
afford every aid in Is power to sustain che
credit of the people. There is money enough
in our countrr, which our planters would
invest in Confederate Bonds, or otherwise
loan to the Government, if they could get
/ it. Our merchants would take the Bonds,
if they could borrow this money. Their
credit alone can enable them to do this; and
in this respect their credit IS property. The
Government ought, as FIR as in it lies, to
sustain this credit, SO far as it is based on an
unquestioned basis OF property. We must
release our planters and merchants from the
clutches of commission merchants and paper
shayers. This may be done by Confeder-
ate Bank, responsible to and in the power
Government, by reserved power Of repeal
and forfeiture, and with proper restrictions
on its issues of paper. Snch a bank may be
created, if Congress has the power, with a
branch in each State, controlled by honest
and faithful officers, who will, by legitimate
loans, sustain both Government and people,
Such was the design o. the old United
States Bank. 1t failed for want or due re-
strictions, and from being in the hands of
corrupt men.
Lastly, l would, by every fair and honor
able effort, sustain our noble President.
Faithful, firm and true, he has consecrated
: his all to our safety, and by every tie of
honor challenges our full confidence and un-
wavering support During this war, I would
give almost implicit sanction to any recon-
mendation Of his, as to arms, men and
money. He has never broken a promise to
you, and | feel ready to pledge myself, It Is
impossible he can. His honor is yours, and
yours is his. His life has proven that he
feels it to be so. Whatever he NAV feel to-
ward me, on account of any thing in Tire
past, would trust to him fully for you.
have hidden my boy at Yorktown look t.
him as the model soldier; my other, too
young to share this fight, teach to Low.
him as the statesman.
Fellow Citizens, my opinions are befor.
you on these subjects and il on any ether
, you may desire to know them, l will oper
to any friendly inquiry the windows of m,
breast, at any point of meeting you may di
rect me to see you.
fl | represent no political party. Thanl
God. they Of the past are dead. Their re
: sentiments, their loves, are alike buried, s
I far as | am concerned. 1 have cooperate
with party in past years and, whateve
Others, more fortunate, may have TO say,
| confess party errors Of my own. Let u:
f hereafter, in the work of building up tn
q Government God has given US, be kind {
4 each other, respect honest diversities {
/ opinion, and seek only TO know those VII
. can best work and best agree.
e | am, most respectfully,
n your fellow citizen,
il GEO. I. SWAMI.
Jackson, fly L., 1861.
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