The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-10-06
MIR LANDER,s SPEECH.

stated at the commencement OF MS relhaihs lnat ne
had two objects inSew in appearing before the
rphlic-one was to give an account or MS steward
sbi-, bv explaining his course and votes IN Con-
oress. and the other, to announce hlmseit candl-
Gate for re election He had not been nasty in an
,ounciDp himself for the reason that no was per-
fctlv willing to abide by the wishes OF his constitu-
ents but he had been urged by number of the
hest men of both the old parties in each county in
fine District to again become candidate, and, feel
ing that he had conscientiously discharged his dur
ties heretofore he had consented to and now he
asked an endorsement of his past course.
As a member Of Congress he had always support
cd tbesrongest war measures, believing that in that
way he was aiding to secure an early termination
Of the war with independence secured. No
man i'll all the land desired peace than he did,
and to obtain it he ready to make any sacrifice
except his countrys honor and the ri gifts and indie
pendence of his people. Any peace that did ndtI
secure to the Southern people the right to establish
their own Government and manage their affairs and
institutions in their own way, would be dlsas-
trous runous and di<graceful peace; and any man
who advocated peace without complete separation
from the Yankee nation, was inaugurating scheme
however unintentonal it might be on his par that
would involve US in a more terrible than that in
home where father would be arrayed against son.
son against father. and neighbor against neighbour
was more 70 be dreaded than all the Yankees in the
land Therefore he declared that he opposed
to any terms that did not recognize the indepen-
dence of the Confederate States. Efforts had been
made time and again by authorities to secure
peacc on the basis of separation. but the enemy
would not yet listen to such proposition; they
L x,oll.,, r..
,hens, to visit Washington a mission of mercy,
thus showing their determination not to negotiate
with us in any way unless gave up the contest
and submitted to the base terms they might dictate;
i'll short. the yankees were determined to subjugate
us fthey could. and take property to pay their
war debt leaving all people in ruin and degrade
ton. The speaker affirmed that he was willing to
see negotiations commenced for peace just as soon
as the enemy disposed to treat equals
and recognize our separate existence nation.
If the frcemen of the South want peace that will
the blessings of liberty, happiness and equal
ty, let them remain united in feeling and action and
give cordial support to the Confederate Govern
mrnt and frown upon all efforts to create party
divisions and contentions but if they are willing to
degrade themselves and see their posterity live in
state ofvassalage, let them submit to Lincoln and
his miIiOns.
Mr. Lander said that he had voted for both
Scription bills-not because he wanted to see his
fellow citizens compelled to leave their homes and go
the tented field, but because the facts exhibited
before Congress showed that such measures were
imperatively demanded by the crisis. Many who
at first opposed to those bills had since de-
cared that they saved our from being
thrown at a critical period.
lie voted against the Exemption Bills because he
considered their determinations unjust and unequal
lie thought some exemptions were proper and nesE
crssary, but he did not and could not approve the
law now in force
He voted to increase the pay of the non commits
stoned officers and privates of the army because lie
thought many of them needed more pay, all GER
talnly deserved it. I"
LIN regard to the Tax Law, Mr. Lander said he
voted for the original House bill--that bill
amended in the Senate by requiring tax in kind
from the farmer. When the vote was taken in the
House on the amended bill, he absent in
sequence of severe family Affections, and therefore
he did not have an opportunity to record his vote;
but he did not wish to evade the question or pander
to any preiudices, and he declared that he ap-
proved Of the whole law as it stands. believing that
it of the best that could possibly have been
framed under the circumstances 1t did not affect
Ii0 SItli iSlhtl WIZ iHtue enough 10 support
his wife and chldren-those who made but little
had nothing to pay, whilst those who had large in
comes were Compelled to contribute literally to the
support of the Government. Ho argued ut length
TO show the fairness and propriety of that part of
the law requiring tax in kind.
He briefly reviewed the origin of our difficulties
with the North, and showed how the northern people
had steadily encroachcd upon rights, until no
other course left the South but to submit to
degradation in the old Union or organize a new Gov
rrnment and maintain it by force of arms. He had
desired t" avoid war and blood>hed much as any
true southern man had but the fact had become APP
parent I" every sensible man that could not
'"hser n'e IN peace with the yankees unless
n"sely ana c"wardy submitted to be shorn of the
rights and privileges bequeathed us by patriotic
sirns And when the Conventio, of North Carolina
{" majority of whom had been Union men, u,,anm-
ously passed the Ordinance # Secession b tort,,
approved it. and considered it the only roadv loft
free and ohvalrous people. To maptair H. 80
ton OF that Convention and defend our homes wa
had sent thousands of our best men to the Gla -
had bled and died in the cause and he ber,ea 49,,
besought those who are home not to causa 80 NIL
suffering to go for naught by imprudent and i'll
timed declarations for peace or chickering's and strife
among themselves He was opposed to all marty
divisions and hoped that the people would unite in
L,yI