Newbern weekly progress., 1861-05-28
From the n. G. Presbyterian
AN ADDR E0P DEArE

AN APPEAL FOR PEACE.
The New York O6seyeer refused to publish
DIR. Dabney's appeal, but there is one New York
paper which opens its columns to those who
are anxious to avert p fratricdal war. The
Journal Of Commerce publishes co1nmunica-
ton from ga Citizen of Virginia, from which
we make the following extract, which we COM
mend to the attention of our readers. Woe to
the wicked men who have plunged the country
into this unholy strife!
What can the North gain By civil war
with the South? Take the widest view of the
subject you can ; and upon what point within
the whole scope, can your section be benefited
by the waste Of blood end treasure which must
be poured out in such conflict? From Maine
to California every man knows that after your
people have btgared themselves and after thou
sands of families are overwhelmed with sorrow
the North and South will be infinitely wider
apart than they are now. live are to have war,
can you--can any man tell what we are to tight
tor? Il it to uphold the integrity Of the Union?
The South wishes no harm to the United States.
The principle for which contend is supply
that for which we "seceded" in '76. Our po-
sition is this:--If the people of the United
States declare formally through the ballot-box
that they want government constructed upon
principles Of hostility to slavery, why let them
have it. They have right to such govern
n1ent-let them have it-let them hold its capt.
tai and it's archives. But in the name Of truth,
of Justice of liberty, don't demand that we who
believe IN slavery shall live under such gov
ernment and contribute to its support. We
cannot cordially remain with you. Keep your
government, its name, flag, prestige, but let us
20 in peace. II you deny this, OF course ne
must ,t5qht.
But it has been said that your national capi-
tai has been threatened. II il had been, Mr.
Lincoln need never have called single North
ern soldier to its protection. lie may have
been frightened by Mr. Walkers speech in
Montgomery, but here we regarded it as not
unnatural for the Secretary Of War to talk IS
he did, when the whole South was drunk with
Lincoln kept back his proclamation calling for
men to wage war upon the South, it would
have been impossible for any Southern army
to reach Washington. ka010 enough of Flr-
ginia and Virginia people to say this. But for
Lincoln's proclamation, Virginia would still be
where she was when the secession ordinance
was voted down; and whilst she was in that
position, no force from the Gulf States could
have crossed her borders to attack the capital
I would pledge my lite for it that your rcgi-
Inents might have stayed at home and Wash
ington would have been as safe at this moment
as Albany.
would pray to God fer peace; would be-
seech Him 10 incline the hearts Of men to peace.
But let me say here, that if the conflict comes,
| have no fears as to the result. We shall con
tend for the right tofsclf-goQernment, and 'elght
HuiiIi0ns Of people united in sach q cause, are
iacjuc be by a1sy force the scor2d mag bring
against htoia."
My communication is already longer than
intended it should be, bat it may be we'll for
one Who docs not trade in politics, to state 2
few facts which may open the eyes Of Inc North
to the EtupcndcGs work thay have undertaken,
if they expect to subjugate the South. It IS IN
no spirit Of boasting that speak, but from the
calm conviction, indeed the knowledge, that
speak tbs truth. ! firmly belieyc that at this
time there are troops III Virginia to meet and
| drive back any force the North can raise after
| SIX months recruiting 4 strong statement, /
Eno1 but now for proof.
| IT about ten days from april Is Gov. Letch-
er received offers from about $4,000 lner. 1t
the same time recruiting was going on--coyD-
| pan;cs were and are Icing formed, and offering
as fast SIS they organize. In Virginia alone the
| United States would De met by ii least l30, 600
| ighti0g T0cH. Ard look 1T the ateTal Many
| OF tas.n have been used 70 the Iide ,go.-i boy
| mood You may ina vi-oie regiment 5 oi such
in CIR Statc-na1jy, athletic uountaineerE, os
| u4@rriDg u"a, aIia terrible fees iOr your town
soldiers ~ meet n c.3se hug with the eayo-
NJ E,.id bowie knife.
have mingled with them great deal since
this war began, and rejoice to sec the spirit by
which they are animated. With comparative
y lew exceptions, there is no passion l0r ls51t
bat calm determination to resist to the last
They feel that God is with them in resistance
10 United States tyranny, as he was with OH
fathers in resistance 10 British tyranny Back
ed by moral principle such men are indeed in
vincible
There are also now in Virginia, troops from
Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Geor-
gia, Alabama Mississippi and louisiana. In
mediately upon orr secession, North Carolina
sent pledge of 10000 men, with ammunition
and provisions for tie ooar, and more if needed
We are prepared for anything the United States
may attempt. and Will keep in readiness. OF
one thing, however, you may be assured: We
will keep within cur borders until Mr.. Lircoln's
policy compels us to throw away the scabbard.
Our people want peace, but only on honorable
terms. Such peace, believe, many in your
section would gladly give. God grant that
their united wishes may be gratifed, and that
both sections Of our land may go on in a career
Of uninterrupted prosperity and glory.
4 CITIZEN or VIRGINIA.