Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-02-12
IMPORTANT SOUTHERN MANIFESTO.
Address Of Howell Cobb, Toombs, Crawford and

live only in history. With it we shall deliver
mp the trust we have endeayored TO use for
your benefit, to those more directly selected
by yourselves. The public record of our acts
is familiar TO you, and requires no further ex-
pianatlon at our hands. OF those matters
which policy has required to be secret, it
would be improper now to speak. This ad-
dress therefore will have no personal reference
We are we'll assured that there exists no ne
cesslty for us to arouse your patriotism nor to
inspire your confidence. We rejoice with YOU
in the unanimity of our State, in its resolution
and its hopes. And we are proud with YOU
that Georgia has been ''illustrated, - and we
doubt not will be illustrated again by her sons
in our holy struggle. The first campaign is
over; each party rests in place, while the
winters snow declares an armistice from on
high. The results in the field are familiar to
you, and We will not recount them. To some
important facts we call your attention
Ftst-The moderation of our own Govern
ment and the fanatica madness of our enemies
have dispersed all differences of opinion a
mong our people, and united them forever in
the war of Independence. In few Border
States waning opposition is giving way be-
fore the stern logic of developing facts. The
worlds history does not give parallel in
stance of a revolution based upon such una
nimlty among the people
Second-Our enemy has exhibited an energy
perseverance and an amount of resources
which we had hardly expected, and a disregard
OF constitution and laws which we can hardly
credit. The result of both, however, is that
pewer, which is the characteristic element O f
despotism, and renders it as formidable TO its
enemies as it is destructive to its subjects
1hrd-An immense army has been organ
lied for our destruction, which is berg dis
ciplined to the unthinking stoldity of regu-
lars. With the exclusive possession of the
seas, our enemy is enabled to throw upon the
shores of every State the nucleus of an army
And the threat is made, and doubtless the at
tempt will follow in early spring to crush us
with giants grasp by simultaneous move
ment along our entire borders.
Fourth-With whatever aIacrty our people
may rush to arms, and with whatever energy
our Government may use its resources. we
cannot expect to cope with our enemy either
III numbers, equipments munitions of war.
10 provide against these odds we must look to
desperate courage, un1inching daring and
universal self -secrifice.
Fifth-The prospect of foreign Interference
is at least remote one, and should not be re-
lied on. If it comes, let it be only auxiliary
to our own preparation for freedom. To our
God and ourselves alone should look.
These are stern facts, perhaps of them
are unpalatabe. But we are deceived in you
if you would have us to conceal them in order
to deceive You. The only question for us and
for you is, as nation and Individually. what
have we to do We answer:
FtrSt-As nation we should be united. for
bearing to one another, frowning ut,on all fac
tious opposition and cenSorious criticisms and
giving trustful and generous confidence to
those selected as our leaders in the camp and
the council chamber
Second-We should excite every nerve and
strain every muscle of the body polite to
maintain our financial and military healthful-
ness. and, by rapid aggressive action, make
our enemies feel, at their own fresides, the
horrors of war brought on by themselves
The most important matter for you howev-
er. is your individual duty. What can you do
The foot of the oppressor is on the soil of
Georgia. He comes with lust in his eye
poverty in his purse and hell in his heart He
comes robber and a murderer. How shall
you meet him7 With the sword at the
threshold With death for him or for your
self! But more than this-let every woman
have torch, every child firebrand-let the
loved homes of youth be made ashes and the
fields of our heritage be made desolate Let
blackness and ruin mark your departing steps
it depart you must, and let desert more ter
rible than Sahara welcome the Vandals. Let
every city be levelled by the flame. and every
village be lost in ashes. Let your faithful
slaves share your fortune and your crust
Trust wife and children to the sure refuge and
protection of God-preferring even for these
loved ones the charnel house as a home thai
loathsome vassalage to nation already sunk
below the contempt of the civilized world
This may be your terrible choice, and deter
mine at once and without dissent as honor and
patriotism and duty to God require.
FellOlo CHieens-LulI not yourselves into
fatal security. Be prepared for every contin-
gency. This is our only hope for sure and
honorable peace. If our enemy was today
convinced that the feast herein indicated would
welcome him in every quarter of this Con ted
eracy, we know his base character we'll enough
to feel assured he would never come Let
then, the smoke of your homes, fred by wo
men IS hands, tell the approaching foe that over
sword and bayonet they will rusf1 only to fire
and ruin.
We have faith in God and faith in you. He
is blind to every indication of Providence who
has not seen an Almighty hand controlling the
events OF the past year. The wind the wave
the cloud, the mist, the sunshine and the
storm have all mniStered to our necessities.
and frequently succored our distresses We
deem 1t unnecessary to recount the numerous
instances which have called forth our gratitude
We would join you in thanksgiving and praise.
ssIf God be for Us, who can be against us ?''
Nor would we condemn your confident look
to our armies, when they can meet with foe
not too greatly their superior in numbers |
The year past tells story of heroism and
success, of which our nation will never be
ashamed. These considerations however.
should only stimulate us to greater deeds and
nobler efforts. An occasional reverse we must |
expect-such as has depressed us within the
last few days: This is only temporary
We have no fears of the result-the final |
issue. Yen and wa may have to sacrifice our
lives and fortunes the holy cause but our |
honor will be saved untarnished, and our |
children's children will rise up to call us |
ssbleSSed.''
HOWELL COBB, Il. TooMBS,
: Nd. j. CRAWFORD, THOMAS r. COBB,