The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-02-20
REBELLION WITHIN THE REBELllUN.
SIGNIFICANT SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

Georo;a and the southwestern part of
North Carolina, there is growing discon-
font which seems at last to have found
EXPRESSION in downright resistance to rebel
rule. On the Goth ult., G. W. Lee, COM
manding that department, issued a procla-
nation declaring that ga number of de-
serters, tories and conscripts, having re-
sisted the laws" in the sections he named,
he had dispatched an armed force to sup
press insurrectionary movements and to
restore tranquility, but at the same time
earnestly appealing to all to return to
their allegiance. Should they not do so,
however, he declares he will pursue them
into their businesses, and use all the power
and means at his control to arrest and
bring them to condign punishment. My
men Che adds) will be ordered to fire upon
them, and at all hazards, to capture the
last man, until this reasonable movement
is completely suppressed Here is a plain
acknowledgment of the existence of an or
!
this is still further confirmed by an appeal
Just issued by Governor Vance of North
Carolina, calling upon deserters to return
at once to their duty, and threatening
with death all who fail to come to time.
A bill is now before the legislature por-
posing to raise ten regiments of North Car
olinians exclusively for state defense, and
not under the control of the rebel govern
ment. This bill is ably supported by a
party who call themselves Conservatives,
and violently opposed by another party
which the North Carolina papers style the
Destructives. The Richmond papers are
filled with discussions as to the propriety
! and policy of such a measure, and charac-
terize it as plot to break up the unity OF
| the common government and prevent the
| execution of the last CONSUMPTION act.
! The Charleston Mercury OF the 9th
ultmo admits, incidentally, that an en-
| gagement had recently occurred IN Madi-
son county, North Carolina, between the
tories, otherwise Unionists, and Confed-
crate force. 1t says:
A force of one thousand men, from
General Kirby Smiths division, aided by
companies collected in North Carolina, at
tackled them in front and rear, killed many,
captured a number, and scattered the rest.
The country is now quiet"
Still another confession OF the existence
of revolutionary spirit among the North
Carolinians is furnished in the following,
from the Richmond correspondence (Jan-
uary 23) of the Charleston Mercury:
1--WE are disturbed about the action of
the North Carolina Legislature Have We
not trouble enough with the Yankees,
without Nranglng at home? Our hope
is that the good sense of the people Of
North Carolina will avert the impending
trouble, and keep that powerful and pat
riotic state in the line with her sisters"
The Raleigh State Journal of a late date
says that three hundred stories" Qoyalists)
are confined in Salisbury prison, ''only one
OF whom could be found who was willing
to take the oath of allegiance to tee South
ern Confederacy."
In East Tennessee, also, the Confeder-
ates are not without endorsements. The
''tories" appear to have organized bands,
and according to the Richmond papers
they are only suppressed by force of num-
bers.
In Georgia there are frequent assertions
from the rebel army, and the papers are
full of advertisements offering rewards for
the apprehension of the runaways.
Not only has this opposition to con-
scripts fully developed itself in North
Carolina, but it seems to have extended tC
other States. Hon. Linton Stephens, &
brother of Vice President Stephens, re-
Gently delivered in the Legislature of Geor-
gia an able speech against the consumption
He denounces it as unconstitutional and
Unnecessary. He says:
81 tell you, sir, and | tell the people
of Georgia, that CONSUMPTION has been put
upon them, and this great wrong has been
done to the rights Of her citizens, and to
her sovereignty, from no necessity. from
no conviction of necessity, but from pre-
meditation and elaboration. 1t has been
matter of choice with our government
and they intend to adhere to it to the
end unless you drive them from it, by
raising in the majesty Of a free people
and calling them back to the landmarks
of the constitution. This, sir, is the great
reason why | ask and beseech an express
sion from the Legislature of the sover.
eign State of Georgia, upon this great
violation which has been perpetrated upor
the the rights of her citizens and of hel
sovereignty"
From this data can be formed some ides
of the rebellion which is being inauguratet
against the rebel government. When We
consider that the rebel papers acknowledge
that the CONSUMPTION act enforced viii
barely meet the waste of their armies il
the field, it is apparent that the south Cal
never raise larger army than it now has
If, as it seems evident, the rebel state
shall refuse to comply with the last con
scription act, the rebellion cannot Ion:
continue; but, on the contrary, we ma,
behold the amusing spectacle of each o
the rebel states cutting bose from tn
Richmond dynasty, and Setting up TO
themselves Too much stress cannot b
laid upon these signs of the times.