The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-11-18
A Southern View Of the Diff
cultIes of the Country, and
the remedy,

VIC ICIlICuys
A Southern man, who is now within
our lines at Vicksburg, writes as follows
to a gentleman of this city in regard to
the state of feeling among the masses of
the rebel States:
I have suffered great deal since this
war csmmenced--enough to kill any man
almost. 1t cost me near S12, 900 to sup
port myself, sister, and my brothers fam
lily last year My brother was in the
Estate service" deluded by his pretended
friends to volunteer, but wonld have been
conscripted anyway He was out only
two weeks when he was taken sick and
died, Wages were small, and put up
with living in the ''Confed' as long as [
could, and had it not been for my family,
when the first gun was fred, | would have
found my way across the lines. / op-
posed the war from the beginning. voted
for the Union and cooperation ticket,
aud when they finally would have war, l
took an oath would never raise a gun
against the best government the world
had ever known; that if the time came
when would be forced into the army, |
would go across the Atlantic into Europe
Thousands of of the Southern people en-
certaiued the same views. Circumstances
would not, however, permit them to leave
home, and they have been forced into the
army Prior to the emancipation prec-
lamation, by President Lincoln, there
were fifty Union men whore there is one
to-day; thousands went into the field that
had previously made up their minds that
Lincoln and his Administration were
much better than the leaders taught them
and they would not rebel againt the gov
ernment as long as there WAS hope.
The emancipation Proclamation, the
placing of negro troops to fight against
their homes, their masters, and their own
people. did more to maintain the Southern
rebellion than any act of tie rebel leaders.
If the government at Washington would
withdraw the Emancipation Proclamation,
invite the States to return, hold out to
them the olive branch, promising to guar
antee to them their constitutional rights
in person and property, assure you, sir,
that in six months from to day, jeff. Da-
Wis would have no army in the field, the
country would be again united, and the
deep feeling of bitterness now existing
would die away in short time, Every
survivorof this war would gladly exclaim:
"Thank heaven, the dark clouds of gloom,
devastation, degradation and all, have
passed from our troubled hearts and wei
now breathe the pure atmosphere of al
free, united and happy people. The
Democratic party are right IN the belletl
that the South would return if she had any
hope their constitutional rights would be
respected. | have travelled for the last
six months in Georgia, Alabama. Missis-
sippi, Louisiana and Texas, and tell you
sir, / was perfectly astonished to find the
people so completely tired of the way. L
asked many the question. "Would you 60
into the Union again if you had your say
SOP" &c, and their reply would invariably
be. My dear r,what hope have we to re-
turn to the Union unless Lincoln with
draws his proclamation freeing the slaves
and confscating all the Southern proper
ty, which leaves US beggars at the mercy
of ruthless and unfeeling foe r Pic
.ure. for the moment. the South subjugat-
ed, and the horrors which would follow.
The Southern people generally now
consider the overthrow OF the Abolition
lists as the only hope to restore the Union.I
Many hot headed secesh swear they new
er would go into the Union again. but
they would yield if we had fayorablel
and peaccable change elsewhere. If the
leaders of this great rebellion were thel
only sufferers, would not care; but there
are countless thousands Of poor people,
whose husbands, fathers, brothers and
friends have been forced into the army,
and they left at home to starve, while the
rich, the very men who brought on the
war, are living in luxury, and doing all
they can to poison the minds Of the peo-
Pile against the Union, the acts of the
Lincoln Administration, proving partial
ly all the time part of their teachings.
The only hope the South has at present is
France interfering, involving herself,
England and the United States in great
war.
The southern people realize their great
error in entering into this rebellion, butt
death would be preferable to such degra-
datien as the Administration wishes andl
intends to heap upon them; hence | say
as long as there is foet of Confederate
soil. and man to stand on it and fight,
so long will the rebellion last. If the
Emancipation and Confscation Proclama-
ton had been revoked, and the States in
vited back after the fall Of Vicksburg, al
complete change would then have taken
place in the minds of the people. Let tie
people have their say on this matter and
there will be majority for peace, If that
peace will show them their honor and
rights. The gloomiest hours OF the
Confederacy were experienced at the fail
of Vicksburg, and thousands that enter
tanned hope prior to that evont, now feel
willing to reconstruct, if it can be honor-
able done, but they have no faith in the
A administration, and look to the eonserv-
ative people of the North to help them
out. 1t is folly to think of recon
structing as long as the Administration
conducts the war and Government poll
cies as they are now doing. sisy 81 ssss
pA. A wide awake conscript in Msssa-
chusetts came out of the Provost Marsials
Office with receipt for $500. i'Boys,"
said he, ,s'P ve paid thatoil bill. My torch
was filled UP five times in 1860, at the
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