Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-07-14
A Patriotic Letter From Senator Hill.
LA GRANGE, Ga, June 81,

Ia |
Messrs Editors Il am asked to give
my views of the Couscript Act, and the
controversy on that subject. l decline.
The duty Of patriotism now is to encourage
our troops, not to dissatisfy them to keep
our people united, and not divide them.
State Rights and Individual rights are to be
saved by soldiers gallant, satisfied soldiers,
and not by issne- makers and abstract the
~orizors. Aud as for ambition, let me beg
its ~votaries to consider that the times are
inopportune FOR such aspirations now. Look
upon this scene of Reorganization, blood
and death, the legitimate elimination of
ambition, mad f9.Iies, and be shocked to
silence for a season.
At the proper f7nc,GI can see any good
likely TO result, Twill give my views of
this !aw. At present allow me to say it is
the duty Of every body, Of States and peo-
pie, to obey it without reluctance and with
out quill bling. Wckhow the enemy great.
y dreaded this law, and hoped it would
be resisted but the soldiers and the peo-
pie every where Except perhaps in East
Tenuessee) are nobly responding to its call;
and when those affected are satisfied, there
is surely nothing in State rights which re-
qnires the disturbance of this harmony by
those not affected.
One word on another subject: The ad-
,ninistration ought to be supported cheer
fully and without misgiving. No good can,
but much harm will como of opposition.
! Every blow strikes the cause. Mr.. Davis
is, in many respects, a noble example to all
Executive officers. He usurps M authori-
ty; exercises no power without Legislative
grant he interferes with no private rights,
and fights none but the common enemy.
Eves-dropping libellers are unmolested un-
der the windows of his office, and SANDER
ers find freedom in the light of his mid
night lamp. He will never be a dictator.
Above all, let Us preserve our unity,
obey the laws and help, rot abuse, each
other. With this resolve we are certain OF
success, and when the struggle is over and
we review it with c~afEnnkss, We shall be
as%tonished, not at so many, but at SO few
reverses, not that go little, but that SO much
was done. e.
When the contest began, the enemy had
a greet navy a; a regular army an organi-
zed government; well filled armories and
magazines; a redundant population, adsen-
turers gathered from every cline; immense
manufactures ; exhaustless resources q
status as a nation, and unrestrained acces,
to all the world. We had no organic
|, government 3; no army-not a soldier 8
, s~malIlwhite population,largeIy unused to ex'
posure and labor; 10 navy; not a war ship
inferior, and but few Of them very Limited
munitions of war very few manufacto
; ries, and very little raw materials out O
, the bowels Of the earth and no name
| standing or credit among, and no access *
, the nations of the earth.
, Let Us be true to our only friend our
. selves. Let US preserve our only strength
our unity. Let us always remember tn
one great fact, swallowing Up every othe
fact, in this great struggle. Our enemie
invade to destroy, insult and e~nslave. W
. defend to save, avenge and be free. Thu
deserving, we cannot fail.
J Yours, very truly,
3. Fl. HILL.