The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-04-18
FROM THE SOUTH.
INTERESTING PROCLAMATION BY THE GOV.
ERNOR OF ALABAMA.

INTERESTING PROCLAMATION BY THE Cow
ERN0R OF ALABAMA.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
MONTGOMERY, ALA, March l, 1862.
The recent disasters which have befallen
our armies, instead of depressing should
nerve the unconquerable purpose and arouse
the mighty power of these Confederate
States. Seven millions OF people resolute.
ly determined to maintain their rights Of
self government and not bow their necks to
the 0ppressor's yoke can never be subjugat-
ed. They will rise in their majesty and
strength and with the blessing OF God upon
their righteous cause, will drive back the
invaders from their land and country.
The reverses to our arms imposed
new duties upon Alabama and her sister
Confederate States. The first is to bury
the love of gold and crush out that sordid
spirit which values property above liberty,
and to piously cultivate that martyr spirit
which will sacrifice every material interest
rather than peril the priceless inheritance
of freedom. Cut of, as their supplies may
be from the Northwest, the cotton States
should rely solely upon their own graneries
and products to furnish subsistence to the
armies within their borders. With their
ports closed against the markets of the
world, without remuneration for the labor of
its production, and without even the mate.
rial for covering the staple, the growing
of cotton to any considerable extent will
not only endanger the organization of the
great armies which must be fed, but will
serve to increase the energy and stimulate
the avarce of our foes. The people of Alas
bama are requested, and the military off.
GERS of the State will be directed to burn
every lock of cotton within the State, if it
be necessary to prevent it from falling into
the hands of the public enemy, and if the
people of these cotton producing States are
a wise people, they will raise not another
crop of cotton beyond the demands OF home
consumption, until this unholy and cruel
war shall cease. Let the States of the
North which have fattened upon your toll,
and which now seek your subjugation and
to impose upon you the burdens Of untold
millions OF war expenditures, and let the
nations of Europe which behold your strug
gle for delverance while their suffering PEG.
pie are camoriDg foryour great staple, see
and learn that you value liberty and free
government far above all other earthly con
siderations.
Plant not then one seed of cotton beyond
your home wants, but put down your lands
in grains OF every other kind and descrip-
tion of farm product, and raise every kind
of live stock which may contribute to the
support of your own families and the needy
families of your brave defenders, and which
will be wanted also for the subsistence of
the grand armies which shall march to
achieve your independence.
Men, brave and gallant men, responding
to the call of their bleeding country, are
rushing by thousands to the field. Their
cry is for arms with which to engage the
foe. People of Alabama! will you not
commit your arms into their hands? People
of Alabama will you not send the shot
guns and rifles resting in your houses, that
l may place them 10 the hands of your own
sons to defend your affairs and your homes
Agents are appointed all over the State to
collect arms. If they do not find you beg
you to find them. Let every Sheriff and
Judge of Probate, and all State officers,
civil and military, receive and forward arms.
Expenses will be promptly paid by the
State.
Let every man do something towards
armiDg our troops if he cannot 20 to the
battle field. Turn your shops into labora-
tories for the manufacture of arms and mu.
nitions of war. Send me thousands of shot
guns and rifles, bowie knives and pixies.
Send powder and lead and ball. What you
cannot afford to give, the State will buy.
Let the entire resources and energies of the
people be devoted to the one great purpose
of war-war, stern and unreIenting-
to the knife-such war as, in the provi.
dence Of God we may be compelled to wage
in order to vindiiate the inalienable right
of self government.
AS vile extortion is an abominable sin
against humanity, all good men are earn
estly urged to denounce its practice and
crush out its spirit. Creditors are coun-
selled to exercise moderation and forbear-
ance; and all classes and conditions of peo~
pie invited to cultivate spirit of mutual
confidence, of loyalty and devotion to their
State and Confederate Government. With
true appreciation of the dangers which
surround US, and of our duty to God and
our country, let US all live and labor, and,
if need be, die for the advancement of the
glorious cause for which we are conteCdiug
In testimony whereof have hereunto set
my hand, and caused the great seal of the
State to be affixed, at the city of Mont.
gomery, this first day of March, A. D.
1862, and of the independence of the Con-
tederate States of America, the second
year.
JOHN GILL SHORTER.
BRASS FOR BEAUREGARD.
From the Mobile Advertiser and Register March 18th
The appeal of General Beauregard to the
people of the Mississippi for brass, to be
melted and cast into cannon, has touched
the hearts of our people, and already re-.
sponses are being freely made.
Yesterday the stewards of the St. Fran