The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-09-08
ADDRESS OF THE ARMY.
To she People ofNorth Carolina.


To she People ofNorth Carolina
A general convention of delegates from eacl
Regiment of Troops from North, Carolina in tht
Army of Northern Virginia. held at Orange c. II
Va, on the 18th of August, did us, the under
signed, the honor TO appoint COMMITTEES, tc
! prepare and publish to you an address, invoking
your aid in the accomplishment of an object very
dear to those whom they represent, and of unsur
! passed interest and consequence to you and d
them. They desire that the irresistible influence
OF the public opinion of all good and patriotic men
in the State, may be invoked to put down and de-
stroy, and TO silence forever the voice of faction
which is Believed to exist in no inconsiderabIe
strength in your midst, which is daily growing
ooder IN the expression of reasonable aud mis-
chleSous sentiments, and whose Vaccinations have
been and still are directed towards poisoning the
MINDS and hearts of our soldiers and people, and
breaking down the courage and confidence of YOU
and OF us, who are sustaining the cause of our
country, in the great struggle for independence,
in which We are engaged.
1t was esteemed most fortunate circumstance
for the honor and welfare OF North Carolina, that
such perfect unanimity prevailed in her councils
when she resolved to break the bonds which had
bound her to government which had ceased to
be the representative of the true interest of her
| people, and which she could no longer respect,
and to make common cause with her sister States
| of the South. Then it was that her great and
honored names, were found united in the glorious
purpose Her Badger, her Rayner, her Miller,
her Graham, her Morehead and her GiTmer, her
Edwards, her Outlaw and her Smith, her Winslow
her Shepherd, her Davis, her Ellis and her Vance,
her statesmen and men Of power, were found to
| have quit for time the arena of administrative
and party politics, and united in the work of lay
ing anew the foundation of government Of our
choice. Her quiet farmers, her honest tradssrhen
and arzans, her civil magistrates her lawyers and
men of learning, nay, all her plain, sober, thought
full people, who have always been slow to give
their pledge to a cause, yet know so well how to
honor it with true loyalty when given, were in
happy accord. There at least, no Carlisle, MOI
Crttenden, nor Andy johnson, to head roll of
infamy, within the whole of her widely extended
borders. ----
There was no vote against the ordinance of seces-
sion There was no press TO invegh against it.
There voice of faction raised in opposition to
it. Fairest Of hands made appropriate banners and
wove rich garlands for expectant heroes, and pri-
vate contributions, from rich and poor, were be-
slowed without stint limit in furherance of the
common cause. The sons of our nohle old State,
supposed to possess very few of the elements of
martial character, came forward with astonishing
alacrty, and in very astonishing numbers. Those,
who had Knocked her before, beheld with staring
eyes her splendid Regiments With full ranks, sub
stantally clad and equipped and governed bya rig
id discipline which betokened the dread with which
shf snemy has always been inspired, when they
wel Gelnown to be upon the field. Since then out
of the vast store-house of her wealth. little known
before or appreciated hS even her own people, she
has poured forth into the lap Of the Confederacy,
resources commensurate with her other sacrifices
And whether we these sacrifices by the
amount of the materials of war and means of sub
sstence furnished, the spirit and determination Of
her people, the number of her men given to the
cause, the talents, courage and fortitude of those
who have fought, or the numbe: and virtues of
her noble dead, we are obliged to recognize her
sisters leaning on her for support in every emer-
gency Of the exenttul struggle. .t...~- -.rr
Nor have these sacrifices been made in vain.
They have enriched her history, exalted her fame
and increased her renown, and though her mate
rial strength has been to some extent exhausted,
she is to-day relatively, more powerful for the de-
fence Of the integrity of her territory, and Of her
rights and honor; than when the contest began.
Distraction, dependency and despair reign in the
councils of the Northern Government. The hopes
at first Entertained of our speedy conquest, have
sunk in the hearts of our enemies, and a direct
consequence, we find such resistance to the adj
ministration at Washington, and mob violence so
rife in the towns and cities, that measure Of that
government most essential to the further prosecu-
ton of the war; is openly resisted and set at naught
Popular assemblies have openly DECLARED for peace,
and the press and some of the most influential
men, speak with freedom and boldhess which
clearly marks change in the public feeling upon
the all absorbing topic The peorLc have ceased
to prosecute the war, and the government is deal
ing its blows with erhonsteG encr1y and 7cfh
fandtical blindncss. The despot who would en-
slave US, has. found lion IN his path in The shape
of opposition to despotic power, aud the courage
Of him and his mnions has been broken down
Volunteering for the armies Of our enemy has
entirely ceased. Only small number oi'the con-
scripts drafted be nrced into the service, and
these viii certainly be discontentcd, mu,inous and
worthless as soldiers Iii armies in the field have
been depleted by desertions, hulDiliatcd and dis
pirited by repeated defeats, and all their trusted
leaders driven in disgrace from comsnand Even
the partial discontinue in the attempt to evae his
territory, and our loss Of the strong holds ON the
Mississippi have failed revive his hopes Of sue
cess, or to change Ia any material point of view
this discouraging aspect of his affairs His armies
cannot be recruited so to add to their material
strength during this campaign. He is daily send.
ing TO the rear dctachEents-H sOtnc cases whole
Regiments and Brgades doubtless his best troops
to keep down by terror Of arms spirit Of discon-
tent among his own subjects, which stops little
short of actual rebellion. Add To this, the rapid
exhaustion of his material resources and you can
not fail to see very powerful causes at work, to
bring about the ser psration for which we
tending, upon terms which Will secure 10 us in
dependence and the blessings Of peace.
Whose sacrifices have tended mote to produce