The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-12-23

p-M. L. Bonham has been elected Governor OF
South Carolina by the Legislature. The new Gov
ernor in his inaugural address, made this important
and truthful remark:
The success of our cause will much depend
upon the harmony of the Confederate States and
State Governments and whilst we must never lose
sight of the rights of the State wisdom and patrl
otism alike dictate that in every legitimate way we
should sustain the Confederate authorities, to whom
the conduct of the war has been mainly conhded
The Action OF OUR LEGISLATUEE.--At the
very time when there should be complete harmony
between the different States and the Confederate
Government, fear that the action of the North
Carolina Legislature, directed by the self-styled
conservative party will produce difficulty and
conflict with the Confederate Government We
commend the following article to the serious con-
sideration of all who desire harmony between our
State and the Confederate authorities. The remark
of the Enquirer that the defence of Virginia is the
defence of North Carolina, and that by keeping the
enemy in check in Virginia we keep the war from
spreading the whole State of North Carolina,
lis true. We copy the following from the Richmond
Enquirer of Thursday last:
North CAROLINA AND PROPOSAL TO RAISE
STATE TRoops.--The telegraph of Wednesday informed
US lnat one 5rancn OF the
had pa ssed by a close vote, bill for raising 0G0
troops of citizens liable the draft conscrip-
ton law of the Confederate Government We hope
the sober second thought will arrest this illstarred
movement, which, confess, gives no little con-
Germ North Carolina is sensitive because her borders
are invaded, and like all communities in that situa-
ton is liable think -that there rot enough o.
Confederate troops there for her defence. The
bilites of invaded people active, and their
anxeties difficult to be allayed. W have had,
alas abundant experience of these things here in Vr-
ginia But it is impossible to prevent local suffering
The attempt do in the earlier part of in
voved in much loss. To line the of North
Carolina would be to lose Raleigh.
The Confederacy must be defended as a whole a nd
those great attempts which strike at vialS must
be met wherever they appear, with concentrated
strength 1t is thus that Virginia has been the battle
ground; and nconsiderate persons have therefore
thought that the Confederate army was, in Pc
cuar sense, fighting for Virginia 1t is great delu
sion. We wish most sincerely that no sister State
suffer have done, the evils of thus being fough
for 1t is terrible thing be the battle ground of
great armies North Carolina has been fought for and
protected infinitely to her advantage by the bat
ties in Virginia than if her soil had been tramped
bv great armies. Let her withdraw withhold her
men from the common for her particular Defence and
let other States in their discretion DO the same; and
Virginia will be but the doorway to North Carolina,
through which the enemy's great army may pass at
pleasure. 1t is fatal which it is thus pro-
posed enter fatal the Conederacy, fatal to North
Carolina.
pose herself neglected. The hostile incursions which
have afflicted her Eastern waters, it obviously not
possible prevent. If she should be unfortunate,
as seems probable, be assaulted by the enemy's
strength she need fear but that the foe will be
fronted by the power of the Con:eGeracy This be
done infinitely better if that power is concentrated
than if be FILTERED away by divisions into Confed
troops and State troops with their ealouseS aud
want of harmony and concert.
We have considered the course advocated in the
North Carolina Legislature in its inevitable effect
upon the cause, and upon North Carolina her
self. But beyond that, such proceeding could not
fail be regarded by all the sister States very
generous and in violation of duty under the engage
ments of the Confederate Constitution We that
the good and plighted faith of North Carolina
to be sullied by such proceeding. If we might
be permitted to show by example what the sent-
ment in other States, would point to the of
Virginia. Scourged, desolated, harasSed, torn, dis
membeTed by the war, North Carolina truly
happy to say, but little than imagine, we
thought it well reinforce the efforts of the COned-
eraCy by additional strength of own. But we did
not attempt to take whom the Confcdcracy
called for. Let the common agent do all it will
our effort shall be in addition and in substitr-
ton. We hope North Carolina will not deem the
example unworthy Of her ADOPTION if she desires to
aid in her local defence We her legislators will
not suffer themselves to be Influenced by the camors
against the Confederate Administration, of journalists
others, whose course is such necessate very
general doubt of their loyalty the which has
been COnsecrated by the cOmminged blood of North
CarOlinans gnians, and the Confcderates generally
in many victorious field