Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-04-08
Gk& Stansarb..
,LEIGH:,FRInAY. APRIL 3. 1863.
ADDRESS to the People of North. Carolina

ADDRESS to the People of North Carolina,
n by Governor z. B. Vance.
ose peculiar calamities which often befall a
struggling for existence, are about to come
-, in the shape Of scarcity of provisions
threatened famine. Whilst it is still believed
is enough in the country, if fairly distributed,
certain there is none to spare; and there is
sr that insufficient preparation will be made
e ensuing season, and that a, considerable pro-
On of the labor Of the country will be devoted
e production of crops other than breadstutfs
ke Legislature having adjourned without taking
IN to prevent this much dreaded state ct things,
il not being deemed expedient to call it to-
er again so early after its adjournment, have
sO.i it my duty to address you in this extra
|Eary. manner. praying you, of your own will
vert it And | am confident that the large.
tied patriotism-the wonderful generosity which
wear filled to over6owng the store-houses OF
puartermasters, IN response to my call in behalf
I,r naked soldiers, has not yet deserted the
ers of North Carolina.
nniver:al consent, there is allowed to be but
danger to our speedy and triumphant success
that is, the failure of our provisions Our
nous soldiers now constitute the best army in
world; arms and munitions are abundant; time
experience have given US admirable leaders, and
rthing is prosperous and hopeful, except in the
and work shop. Everything depends now up
he industry and patriotism of the farmer. Now
50 many brawny arms which were wont to hold
blow have gone into the ranks, unless those
at home strain every nerve to produce bread,
cause may be ruined. Without bread, the SOL
has neither strength nor courage; without
d the cries of his little ones at home will reach
avs in the distant camps, and cast sIcken'ng
upon his heart No bravery, no skill, nor de-
nor human wisdom, can cope with that dread
hemy-famine. While our brave defenders are
ng death upon the field, we at home must sustain
feed them, or in vain will their blood be spilled.
duties though less glorious and pretending, are
billy as important ana we'll defined. Thoughnot
ling with the living and embodied enemies o
country, we are yet in her service, and strug
with far more dangerous and insldlous des'
er. And as the soldier who shirks the conflict
deserts his comrades in the hour Of battle, is
ard or traitor so equally is he who withholds
bands from the plow, or guides it to the produc-
of those crops which produce money and not
though he may not SO intend it. The hum
mother IN all the land, who amid the harrow
tares of helpless family, can find time to plant
potatoes near her cabin door; the poorest lit
oy, whose infant and unskilled hands may plan,
hills of corn, or gather the sheaVes of harvest
each do a more acceptable service in the sigh
pa and his countrymen, and is worthy Of more
than he who raises thousand bales OF cot
br hundred hogsheads of tobacco, and osten
usly donates small portion to some Aid So
="
he bright sunshine again warns and dries tn
We must use it to our salvation or neglec
our destruction. Plant sow, dig and plow
oats, potatoes-any thing and every thing
th will support life Let everybody take to tn
5, where the plow, not the maddening wheels
ery, fnrrow the generous soil. These will prov
real fields of victory and independence. Hun
of able ebodied young men in our towns ant
Eges-n -non-producers- having procured sub
pies or exemptions, now idle their time abou
Pty stores, or other Improbable places, shou!
rowing something, and adding to instead Of di
Eshing the general fund. Let none be idle
b above all, my countrymen, let none plant col
or tobacco. Though the prices are high an
temptation great your profits would be mad
n the blood Of brave men and the suffering G
aess women and children. Your children an
children's children would reap an abundan
enduring harvest of scorn, and the remembrance
be manner in which your wealth was game
Id burn into your conscience to the hour of deatt
hilst thus appeal to you in behalf of the pref
ions for another year, it is also my duty
* of the present Ninety days will bring I
|arvest and am confident Ne can reach it will
actual suffering, if all parties will do as dut
Christianity prompt Let all who have
re, divide literally with those who have not
to the County and State agents when you
Bhbors are supplied, and do not wait for it to b
ressed Impressed it certainly will be. befor
armies shall be disorganized by the suffering
families for want Of that which you can spar.
for which fair price will be offered you. Al
pnce your work hands and your negroes. The
20 better than the soldiers who live on ha
rdaily portion. Put your stock in the wood
upon grass the moment they can live upon i
conscentiously devote the saving to you
abor's children whose father or brother is figh
your battles. Let the magistrates see that d
s'n is arrested, by issuing promptly procet
OSt every man who dares to waste the preciou
SM life in defiance of law. Avoid, above a
o. mob violence Broken laws will give yo
saa but much sorrow; and when foreibl
Cd have to be made to avert starvation, let