American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1861-08-03


defence We take no thought of how we
shall eauali-e the burthen of furnishing sol
ders upon the different sections Of tho com
munity. All are ready to shed their blood,
if necessary, in defence of our country. And
the drafting, if any is to be done, viii be Tor
a few TO stay at home.
Should we be less liberal of our means than
of the blood of our iellow-citizens Should
we chatter about the fact of our furnishing
few dollars more of pecuniary aid to our
Government than our neighbor, when, per-
-haps, that neighbor has sent all his sons to
the field
Again, while Government is yet in its
infancy, it has character to form among
the family of nations The probable per-
manency of our Government must depend
upon its ability to maintain ITSELF and the
manifest disposition of the people to sustain
il. This is exhibited more forcibly by the
r.luatary system of furnishing men and
n cans, than by the arbitrary system of con-
scription and taxation.
Moreover, the construction of an eqnit-
able system of taxation would be tedi-
Gus, and its execution expensive. 1t would
not be adapted to such an emergency as is
nnw upon us. Besides, the payment of the
tax in the present deranged condition of
trade and commerce, might be excessively
burdensome on the people.
But many object to subscribing portion
OF their means on account of being in debt.
1t is unquestionably our duty to pay our
debts. But we should remember that we
owe paramount duty to our Government;
that the interests of the creditor and debtor
both are involved in the success and perma-
nenct- of the Government Few creditors
will be found who will not assent 20 this
principle, and take the Confederate bonds in
payment, or give an extension of time to the
debtor And you must all be aware that
the now universal public sentiment ill re-
suit in such legislation as will stay the
hands of such creditors as would seek to sell
the property Of such af their debtors as have
contributed their income to the aid of the
Government.
have heard some of our wealthy citizens
remark that they have already subscribed
small portion of their crop to this loan, and
were ready to increase their subscription,
suggest that 1T Is NECESSARY. The necessi-
ty is here, now upon US. Every patriot
should now come up to the full measure of
bis ability. The Black Republican despot-
ism of the North have announced their pro-
gramme of bringing to the field half mill
lion of men, with an annual expenditure of
$400 100000 to compass our subugation.
This vast army must be met and defeated.
Although the enemy has suffered most dis
astrous defeat-his army dispersed, disor-
ganized and routed on this side of the Poto-
mac, and our brave soldiers gained ore Of
the most brilliant and glorious victories ever
achieved on this continent /; still we see he
is making the most strenuous and desperate
exertions to retrieve his recent terrible
losses and that he must be taught many
other lessons of the proves of our people
before we shall have conquered lasting
peace.
Now, it is at such time, and under such
circumstances, that large and liberal pecu-
mary contribution to our Government
such as we are able to make-will encourage
the hearts of our brave defenders, strike
terror into the ranks Of the enemy, and pro-
lam to the nations of the earth the true
character and condition Of the Southern peo-
pie.
! Come up, then, promptly, and manifest
your confidence in your Government, and
your gratitude to kind Providence for the
unprecedented abundance of the products OF
your fields.
have thus, in compliance with my duty,
thrown out a few remarks, which, trust,
may be suggestive of more detailed argu-
ments in favor of the Confederate loan. l
have made no appointments, but will meet
the people at any point that may be indi-
Gated. In the meantime, subscription lists
may be found in Canton at the Banking
House of Gen. Richard Winter, at my Office
at the two Drug Stores, and other business
houses, also at Camden, Sharon and Vernon.
L. G. UPPER,
Commissioner of Confederate States.