The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-03-04

result in our favor is not doubtful. asa s--s
! The period is near at hand when our foes must
sink under the immense load of debt which they
have incurred; debt which in their effort to sub
jugate US has already attained such fearful dimen
sons as will subject them to burthens which must
continue to oppress them for generations to come
We, too, have had our trials and difficulties
That we are TO escape them in future is not to be
a-hoped. 1t to be expected when we entered
upon this war that it would expose our people to
sacrifices ana cost them much, both of money and
| blood. But we know the value of the object foI
which we struggled, and understood the nature OF
| the war in which we were engaged. Nothing
could be so bad as failure and any sacrifice would
be cheap the price of success in such contest
| [Cheers.]
But the picture has its lights as we'll as its
shadows. This great strife has awakened in the
people the highest emotions and qualities of the
hu soul. 1t is cultvating feelings of patriot
ism virtue and courage. Instances of selfsacrifce,
and of generous devotion to the noble cause for
which we are contending, are rife throughout the
land. Never has people evinced more deter
mined spirit than that now animating men, women
and children in every part of our country Upon
the first call the fly to arms; and wives and
mothers send their husbands and SONS to battle
| without a murmur of regret.
| 1t was, perhaps, in the ordination of Providence
tnat we were 10 De LauSnG the Value OF our uDer
ties by the price which we pay for them.
The recollectiens of this great contest, with all
its common traditions of glory, of sacrifice and of
blood will be the bond of harmony and an en-
during affection amongst the people, producing
unity in policy, fraternity iii sentiment and joint
effort in war.
Nor have the material sacrifices Of the past year
been made without some corresponding benefits.
IF the acquescence of foreign nations in pre-
tended blockade has deprived US of our commerce
with them, it is fast making US selfsupporting
and an Independent people. The blockade, if
effectuai and permanent could only to divert
our industry from the production Of articles for
export, and employ it in supplying commodities
for domestic use
1t is satisfaction that we have maintained the
war by our unaided cxertions. We have neither
asked nor received assistance from any quarter.
Yet the interest involved is not wholly own.
The world at large is concerned in opening our
markets to its commerce. When the independ-
ence of the Confederate States is recognized by
the nations of the EARTH aud we are free to follow
our interests and ncnations by cultvating foreign
trade, the Southern States will offer to manufac-
turing nations the most favorable markets which
ever invited their commerce. Cotton, sugar, rice,
tobacco, provisions, timber and naval stores will
furnish attractive exchanges Nor would the
constancy of these supplies be likely to be dis
turbed by Our Confederate strength will be
too great to tempt aggression and neve- was there
people whose interests aud principles committed
them so fully to peaceful policy as those of the
Confederate States. BY the character of their
productions they are TOO deeply interested in
foreign commerce wantonly to disturb it. War of
conquest they cannot wage, because the Constitu
tion of their Confederacy admits of no coerccd
association. Civil war there cannot be between
States held together by their volition only This
rule of voluntary association, which cannot fail to
be conservative, by securing just and impartial
government at home, does not diminish the
security of the obligation by which the Confed
crate States may be bound to foreign nations. In
proof of this it is to be remembered that at the
first moment of asserting their right of secession
these States proposed settlement on the basis of
common liability for the obligations of the Gen
eral Government.
Fellow Citizens, after the struggles Of ages
had consecrated the right of the Englishman to
Constitutional Representative Government, our
colonial ancestors were forced to vindicate that
birthricht by an appeal to arms. Success crowned
their efforts, and they provided for their 2osterty
peaceful remedy against future aggression.
The tyranny of an unbridled majority, the most
odious and least responsible form of despotism,
has denied US both the right and the remedy
Therefore. are in to such sacrifices
as our fathers made to the holy Of constitu
tiona liberty. At the darkest hour of our strug-
gle, the provisional gives place to the permanent
government. After a series of successes and
victories, which covered our arms with glory, we
have recently met with serious disasters. But in
the heart of people resolved to be free, these
disasters tend but to stimulate to increased re-
sistance
To show ourselves worthy of the inheritance
bequeathed to by the patriots of the Revolu-
tion we must emulate that heroic devotion which
made reverse to them but the crucible in which
their patriotism refined. [Cheers.
With confidence in the wisdom and virtue of
those who will share with me the responsibility.
AID aid me in the conduct of public affairs;
securely relying the patriotism and courage OF
the people, of which the present war has fur
nished SO many examples, ] deeply feel the
weight Of the responsibilities | now, with un-
affected diffidence, about to assume; and fully
realizing the inadequacy of human power to guide
and to sustain, my hope is reverently fixed on Him
whose favor is ever vouchsafed to the cause
which is just With humble gratitude and adora-
tion, acknowledging the Providence which has so
vsibly protected the Confederacy during its brief
but eventful career, to thee. oh God trnsting!y
commit myself, and prayerfully invoke thy bless
ing my country and its cause.
VcLUNTEERs-The Asheville News says that
a Battalion of volunteers has recently been organ
ized in that section, and David Coleman elected
Lieut. Colonel of the same The battalion has