The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-04-07
AN ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF
N. CAROLINA BY GOV. z. B. VANCE.

Those peculiar calamties which often befal a
nation struggling for existence, are about to come
upon US, in the shape of scarcity of provisions
aud threatened famine. Whilst it is still believ-
ed there is enough in the country, if fairly dis
trbutcd it is certain there is none to spare and
there is danger that insufficient preparation will
be made for the ensuing season, and that con-
siderable proportion Of the labor of the country
will be devoted to the production of crops other
than breadstuffs.
The Legislature having adjourned without tax
ing action to prevent this much dreaded state OF
things, and it lot being deemed expedent to call
it together again earl y after its ad ournment,
have deemed it my duty to address you in this X
rraordnary manner, praying you, of your own will,
to avert it. And i am confident that the large
hearted patriotism-the wonderful generosity
which last year filed to overlooking the store hou-
SEES of our quartermasters, in response to my call
IN behalf of our naked soldiers, has not yet de-
serted the farmers of North Carolina.
BY universal consent, there is allowed to be but
danger to Cur speedy and triumphant success,
and that is, the failure IF our provisions. Our
victorious soldiers constitute the best army in
the world; arms and munitions are abundant; time
aud experience have given US admirable leaders,
and everything is prosperous and hopeful, except
in the field and work shop. Everything depends
now upon the industry and patriotism of the far
Now that many brawny arms which were
wont to hold the pillow have gone into the ranks,
unless those still at home strain every nerve to
produce bread, may be ruined With
out bread, the soldier has neither strength nor
cour,ge; without bread the cries of his little
at home will reach his ears in the distant camps,
and cast q sickening chill upon his heart. No
bravery, skill, nor device, nor human wisdom,
cope with that dreaded eneny-famine.
While our brave defenders are facing death upon
the field, we at home must sustain and feed them
or in vain will their blood be spilled Our duties
though less glorious and pretending, are equally
as important and well defined. Though not oattl-
ing with the living and embodied enemies Of our
country, we yet in her service, and struggling
with a Tar more dangerous and insdous destroyer.
And as the soldier who shrinks the conflict and
deserts his comrades in the hour of battle, is
coward or traitor, equally is he who withholds
his hands from the pillow, or guides it to the pro-
ductlon of the Sc crops which Iroduce money and
not bread, though he may not so intend it, The
humtlest mother in all the land, who amid the
narrowing cares of helpless family, can find time
to liant few potatoes near her cabin door; the
poorest little boy, whose infant and unskilled
hands may plant few hills of corn, or gather the
sheavcs of harvest, will each do more acceptable
service in the sight Of God and his countrymen,
and is worthy of more honor than he who raises a
Uhcs>sUnd bales Of cotton hundred hossheads
tODaCcO, and CStentatlOuSly donates small
tion to some "Aid Society"
The bright sunshine again warns and dries the
Garth We must use it to our salvation or neg.
!cct it to our destruction. Plant cow, dig and
pillow; corn, oats, potatoes-any thing aud every
thing which will support life Let everybody
take TO the fields, where the pillow, not the mad
denlnG wheels of artillery, furrow the generous
soil. These will prove the real fields Of victory
and independence. Hundreds of able bodied
young men in our towns and villages-non- pro-
ducers-who having procured substitutes or OK.
emFtOns, low idle their time about empty stores
or ether Improbable places should be growing
something, and adding to instead of diminishing
the general fund. Let none be idle And above ali,
my c0uHtrymen, let none plant cotton or tobacco.
Though the prices are high and the temptation
great, your profits would be made fiom the blood
OIL brave men and the suferings of helpless women
and children. Your children and YOUR children's
children would reap an abundant and enduring
harvest OF scorn, and the remembrance of the
hammer IN which your wealth was gained would
'urn INTO your conscience to the hour of death.
" nile thus appeal to you in behalf of the
Preparations for another year, it is also my duty
20 speak OF the present. Ninety days will bring
" 10 harvest and | am confident we can reach it
St"o"' ac,uai suffering, if. all parties will do as
"o'J anu CntiS'lan'ty prompt. Let all who have
t" spare, divide literally with those who have no.
EEL to the county aud State agents when vonr
ne'ehbors ale supplied and do not wait for oaa
Se impressed. Impressed it certainly will bs
before our armies shall be disorganized Nv ths
suffering OF their families for want of tba. ~ ~. :ne
you can spare and for which fair price will ba
offered you. Allowance your work hands ,n os
your negroes They are better than .be
soldiers who live on half their daily portion. Put
your stock In the woods and upon grass Tho
moment they can live upop it, and conscientiously
devote the saving to your neighbours children
whose father or brother is fighting your battles,
Let the magistrates that disllaton is arrested,
ny issuing promptly process against every man
Sh" dares to waste the precious grains of life in
Henance OF law. Avoid, above all things, mob
''''enee Broken laws will give yon no bread,