The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-01-20
WHERE LIES OUR SAFETY.
From the Fayetteville Observer.


list as any one within our knowledge, but on the
contrary is proverbially cautious in forming hil
conclusions and moderate in the expression ofthem
writes US in regard to the prospects of the PEG
pie of that section for food during the present year
and in regard to the financial policy of the State
asking us to write article or two in the Obser
yer on these objects. We cannot do better than
to publish extracts from his own letter, as fol
! lowe -
"Should the war last another year, do not see
how our people are to live-there are but few
slaves 10 this part of the State, and when the
scripts taken to the army, the women and chill.
dren must starve. From the best information
! can get exclusive of those that own slaves, the
quantity of land sowed in wheat is not more than
zone third and the land that will be put in corn
not more than "ope fourth" compared with last
year. The slave owners charge exorbitant prices
F.. for every thing what is to become of the rest,
who constitute very large majority! Unless we
can exempt all who have many as three chill
dren under the age of ten years, and leave our
my large enough to repel our invaders. we are de-
stined to be ruined by famine. Would not such an
exemption be proper amendment as Bet off to
/ the exemption of those having 20 negroes?
Il see it is proposed to authorize the issue Of
| 81 500, 600 treasury notes. This, together with
! three new banks-(what is to constitute their
ca pal, for of course they can't get specie, l can
| not imagine will increase the evil Of an inflated
/ currency State bonds can be disposed of at 20
i per cent premium, and it. seems to me clear, that
the funds required by the State should be raised
| By bonds Besides the premium, it would avoid de-
preciating Confederate notes-that amount of State
notes must of necessity produce further depre-
citation ofthe currency; whereas State bonds would
absorb that amount and leave the currency it
| is Ifthe Legislature could be prevailed on to
resort to bonds, instead Of treasury notes, and
would also guarantee its rateabe part of the debts
of the Confederate States, it would certainly tend
to support credit and possibly the depreciation OF
the currency would get no worse. But let the
States issue treasury notes. and Congress continue
| to issue Confederate notes, and matter of
course general bankruptcy must follow!-te
| dollars would not then buy as much corn or meat,
as one dollar will even now"
Before offering few remarks upon the first of
| the above very important subjects, we may say
that the brief argument on the second seems to US
conclusive. So long the people are ready to
purchase State bonds for the amount which the
State must borrow, and especially while premi
um can be had for them, agree with our friend
that the further issue Of Treasury notes is very
questionable policy, for the reason stated by him.
We would except, however, the small amount re-
qured to keep adequate supply Of change notes
those necessary nusances.
The question Of provisions and exempts
rnanifessy the two most important that n
gage the attention OF Congress or the Legislature.
The necessary number of soldiers must be had, or
Ithe great cause is wrecked, and neither the SOL
ders nor their families will be allowed to raise
crops on our lands for the law of the yankee Con
gress conf.ca.es their property and the spirit of
the yankee invaders shows that they mean to ex-
the penalty. On the other hand, it is also of
| - g. g. &C.,
lies of the soldiers and for the soldiers themselves
should be made. How both objects are to be &C
conplished it is for Congress to decide. Without
having ourselves means to express very decided
opinion whether the army can spare man to
every family where there are three children under
10 years Of age, say most decidedly that 1t
would be humane and judicious measure if they
can be spared; and hope that the suggestion,
.now made by correspondent for the first time
so far know, will engage the attention OF
Congress, which may have the means Of obtaining
information to the effect upon the army of such
| an exemption.
We regret to infer from the use of the phrase
"a set off," that correspondent objects to the
! exemption made by Congress of one upon
every plantation where there are 20 negroes. Not
| having ourselves any plantation with 20 negroes,
we may claim to be dsinterested Gas he clearly is
| in expressing the opinion that such exemption
was measure OF true poilcy not with reference 10
| the shareholders themselves, but to tie entire
communities in their immediate vicinity. Non
Sla, eholders quite much interested in hav-
ing slaves properly fed and clothed and discpin,
ed. as the owners themselves; for without proper
provision aud control, slaves are an evil to them
| selves and nuisance TO all, both rich and poor,
who reside near them. We have not heretofore
| expressed this opinion, only because there are
other things that nj ght be said on the subject
that we do not think it udicous to state publicly.
| KEN1UcxY.-The Legislature Of Kentucky
assembled at Frankfort on the 9th and the mes
sage of the Governor Was received. Governor
Robinson recommends that Kentuek reject the
abolition proclamation Of President Lincoln, and
| protest ssaiEs. any interference with her State
! policy unwarrantcd by the Constitution. He
thinks the proclamation giving freedom to the
| slaves in the rebeous States inficts upon Ken
lucky fatal though indirect blow He says the
saddest fact of the proclamation will be to FIRE
the whole South into opc burning mass Of mex
hsusibc hate destroying all hopes of restoring the
Union which is only possible by adherng to the
| CONSTITUTION as il was. He further says that the
most alarming aspect Of the proclamation is the
usurpation of The powers of the Government BY
! the President under the plea of military necessity.
He adrises the Legislature to place on record
their protest against the proclamation.
|
OuR FaIEsDs IN CANADA.-The followiu.
/ toast was given in Hamilton canada Wes.) on
! the 24th November 1862, in honor of manv