The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-11-26

culation which these notes can be made to occupy.
The proportion of the field thus occupied, depends
again upon the amount of the debts for which
they are receivable; and when dues, not only to
the Confederate and State Governments, but also
to corporations and individuals, are payable in this
medium, large amount OF 1t may be circulated
at par There is every reason to believe that the
Confederate Treasury notes are fast becoming
such medium The provision that these notes
shall be converted into Confederate Stock, bear
ing eight per cent interest, at the pleasure of the
holder insures them against depreciation below
the value of that stock, and considerable fall
in that value need be feared, so long the interest
shall be punctually paid. The punctual PAYNE mt
of this interest has been secured by the Act pass
ed by the last session, imposing such rate of
taxation as must provide sufficient means for that
purpose.
For the successful prosecution of this war, 1t is
INDISPENSABLE that the means oftransporting troops
and military supplies be furnished, far posi-
ble in such manner as not to interrupt the COM
merical intercourse between the people, nor place
a check on their productive energies. 10 this
end, the means of transportation from one section
of our country to the other, must be carefully
guarded and improved, and this should be the OBJ
ject of anxious the part of the State and
Confederate Governments, so far as they may have
power over the subject. We have already two
main systems of through transportation from the
North to the South-one from Richmond and
along the sea-board, the other through Western
Virginia to New Orleans. \ third mi ght be Sc
cured by completing link of about forty miles
between Danville, in Virginia, and Greensboro, in
North Carolina. The construction of this COM
paratively short line would give through line
from North to South, in the interior of the Con-
tederate States, and give access to population
and to military resources from which in a
great measure debarred. We should increase
greatly the safety and capacity of our means for
transporting military supplies. If the construc-
ton Of this road should, in the judgment of Con-
gress as it is in mine, be indispensable for the
most successful prosecution Of the war, the action
Of the Government will not be restrained by the
constitutional objection which would attach to a
work for commercial purposes, and your attention
is invited the practicability of securing its early
completion By giving the necessary aid to the COM
pany organization and ADM nstratOn.
live husband our means and make judlclous
of our resources, it would be difficult to fix
limit to the period during which We could conduct
ii war against the adversary whom we now encOun-
ter. The very efforts which he makes to isolate
and invade US, must exhaust his means, whilst
they serve to complete the circle and diversity
the productions of our industrial system.
The reconstruction VIII ch be seeks to effect by
arms, becomes daily more and more papably i'm
possible Not only the which induced US
separate still exists in full force but they ave
been strengthened; and whatever doubt may have
fingered i'll the minds of any, has been completely
dispclled by the subsequent events. If, instead
of being dissolution of league, it were indeed
Il rebellion III which we are engaged, we might
| find ample vindcation for the course we have
adopted in the scenes which are now being enact
ed in the United States
Our people look with contemptuous astonish
nIcnt on those with whom they had been
Gently associated. They shrink with aversion
from tie bare idea of renewing such connection
when they see President making without
the assent of Congress-when they behold Jud ges
threatened because they MAINTAIN the writ OF ho-
beos corpus, SO sacred to freemen-when they see
justice and law trampled under the armed heel Of
military authority, and upright men and innocent
women dragged to distant Dungeons upon the mere
edict of de:pot-when they find all this tolerat
cd and appiauded by people who had been in
the full enjoyment Of freedom but a few months
ago, they believe that there must be some radical
incompatibility between such people and them
selves. With such people We may be content
to live at peace, but the separation is final, and
for the independence we have asserted wewlll ac
ccpt no alternative
The nature of the hostilities which they have
waged against us must be characterized as bar
barous wherever it is understood, They have
bombarded undefended villages without giving
notice to and children to enable them to
escape, and, in instance, selected the night
as the period when they might surprise them most
| cffectually whilst asleep and unsuspiclous OF
danger. Arson and rapne, The destruction of
private houses and property and injuries Of the
most wanton character, even upon non ombatants,
have marked their forays along borders and
upon our territory. Although we ought to have
been admonshed by these things that they were
! diaposed to make upon US war in the most cruel
and relentless spirit, yet not prepared to
see them fit out large naval expedition VITA the
confessed purpose not only of plumber, bur to
iacite eerve Instruction in the midst of us. If
they convert their soldiers into incendarcs and in
! vulve us in a species of which claims noncom-
batants, women and children, its victims. they
! must expect to be treated outlaws and enemies
| of mankind. There certain rights Of human
: ity which entitled to respect even in war, and
! he who refuses to regard them forfcits his claims
! if captured, to be considered prisoner Of war,
! but must expect to be dealt with as an offender
against all law, human and divine.
| But not content with violating our tights under
the laws of nations at home they have extended
these injuries to within other Jurisdictions.
/ The distinguished gentlemen whom, with your
approval at the last session, commissioned to re-
| resent the Confcderacy at certain foreign Courts,
have been recently seized by the captain of a
United States ship-of-war on board British
steamer the voyage from the neutral Spanish
port of Havana to England. They have thus
claimed general jurisdiction over the high seas,