The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-05-19
BY the Governor Of N. Carolina
A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas have learned with great pain that there
have been atery numerous assertions from the ranks
of gallant army, and that there many persons
in the country who incite and encourage these deser
tons and harbor and conceal these misguided at
home instead of encouraging them to return to duty:
Now, therefore, l, ZEBULoN B. VANCE, Governor of
the State of North Carolina do issue this my procla-
nation commanding all such evil disposed persons to
desist from such base cowardly and reasonable
duct and warning them that they will subject them
selves to indictment and punishment in the civil courts
of the Confederacy we'll as to the everlasting
tempt and detestation of all good and honorable
Certainly crime could be greater, cowardice
abject, treason base, than for a citizen
of the State. enjoying ts~privileges and protection
without sharing it's dangers, to persuade those who
have had the courage to 60 forth in defense of their
country, viley to desert the coors which they have
sworn to uphold, when a miserable death a vile,
skukng and ignominous existence must be the inevi
table consequences no plea can excuse it. The father
the brother who does it should be shot instead of
his deuded victim for he deliberately destroys the soul
and manhood Of his flesh and blood. And the
same is done by him who harbors and conceals the
deserter For who respects either the the other?
What honest man will ever wish to permit his
brave patriotic daughters who bore their parts
with credit in this great struggle for independence to
associate to the third and fourth generations
with the vile wretch who skuked u the woods the
still viler coward who aided him, while his bleeding
country is calling in vain for his help? Both
miles, sneaking mean enemies to their country, before
whom our open foes will be infinitely preferred. Both
are foes their kindred and noble countrymen
who eectrifying the world by their gallant deeds
and pouring out their blood upon the field of battle to
protect those very men who sappng the vitais Of
our strength. And unto you deserters, and yorr
aders and abettors, when peace being made and indie
pendence secured these brave comrades who have de-
serted in the hour of their trial shall return honored
and triumphant to their homes! Ye that hide your
guilty faces by day, and prowl like outlaws about by
night robbng the wife and mother Of your noble de-
tenders of their little MEANS while they are facing the
enemy; do you think ye escape just and damning
vengeance when the day of reckoning comes? And ye
that shelter conceal and feed these miserable depreda
tors and stimulate them to their Internal deeds think
YOU that will be spared? Nay rest assured observ
ing and never failing eyes have marked you every
And when the overjoyed wife welcomes more her
brave and honorable husband to his home, and tells
him how in the long years Of his absence in the lonely
hours of the night you who had been his comrades
rudely entered her house. robbed her and her children
Of their bread and heaped insult and ndgnities upon
her defenceess head the wrath othat heroic husband
wifi make you regret in the bitterness of your coward
" terror that you born. Instead of few
scattered militia, the land will be full of veteran SOL
diers before whose honest faces you will not have
courage to raise your from the earth If permit
ted to live in the State all you will be infamous
You will be hustled from the polls kicked in the
streets, honest jury will not believe you oath
and honest everywhere will shun you pestil-
ence he who lacks courage and patriotism have
no other good quality redeeming virtue. Though ma
of you rejected the pardon heretofore offered you
and not authorized promise it, yet am assur-
eG that will be shot who shall voluntarily
to duty. This is the only chance to redeem
selves from the disgrace and gnomny which you are
mourning.
Again troops have met the enemy and great
and glorious victory has been But several thou
sand of soldiers fell in achieving i, for u.s. Every
man is needed to replace the gallant dead and pre-
unbroken front to still powerful enemy.
Unless deserton is prevented strength must de-
part from armies, and desertion never be stop
ped while either through false and mistaken sympa
thy downright disloyaly they receive any counten-
protection at home. Therefore appeal to all
good citizens and patriots in the State to assist
officers in arresting deserters and to frown down
all those who aid and assist them Place the brand
upon them and make them feel the scorn and contempt
of az outraged people Unless the good and the pa
triotic all the md arise man to arrest this
dangerous evil il will grow until army is well nigh
ruined The danger of starvation having happily
passed away-the approaching and apparently boun-
harvest giving evidence Of ample supplies Tor the
coming year-our great army in Virginia again jubl-
a mighty vctory-I am we'll assured that our
danger lies in the disorganzaton produced by deser
ton. You arrest it my countrymen, if you will
but make vigorous effort, if you will but bring to
bear the weight of great patriotic and united COM
munty in aid of our authorities.
In witness whereof, ZEBULoE B. VANCE, Governor,
Captain General and Commander Chief, hath sign
ed these presents and caused TIE seal of the State
to be affixed.
Done the city of Raleigh this 18th day of May, A.
D. 1868. d. b. VANCE.
By the Governor: RI BATTLE, Jr, Private Sec'y.
May l9, 1868. vt