Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-12-03
A JUDGE ON PUBLIO AFFAIRS.

Judge Cochran, of Alabama, who lately received
several votes for Confederate States Senator in the Leg
sAtuse of that State made the following graphic au-
sion to public affairs after delivering the usual charge
10 the Grand Jury at rec snt term Of the court in his
circuit
He insisted that Il was the duty Of all at home to pro-
vide for the wants Of the soldier In the field aud his
family left behind. Compared the man at home who
Wifuy through neglect did not produce the greatest
possible OF necessary supplies for the army TO
the deserter Of his couutry flag In order that battles
may be fought successfully it is necessary for every SOL
der to be found At his post but not more necessary
than that every homo be found in the discharge
OF his duty In providing for the subsistence OF those who
fight our bates The hope Of our enemies North and
in foreign countries is that they may finally stArVe us
into subjecton but this never be done unless we
prove recreant to tbs trust committed TO US.
lie spoke of those who are 80 responding at times
that they almost desire end OF these troubles by re-
construction He referred TO the revolt OF the jews IN
the land OF Egypt Who when PhAroah came upon them
reproached Noses their leader, and asked Were there
no graves in Egypt that thou hast brought Us out 70
Derilh in the wilderness" And again, when Noses
a csnded NJ SnAi and hid from them in the cloud
because they could see him and understand what
he DOING they despaired and turned aside 70 idol
airy.
Tnus have some Of our people, when things seemed
adverse or when they could net understand the move
mens of the Government aud our generals, said, why
have you brought US out of the Union to perish Bat
the Red Sea was opened for the passage of the Jews
and at length Moses descended from the clouds with the
law a. An assurance Of the favor OF teir God and the
clouds and darkness where Moses stands to-day il
but the veil that shuts cut the visible presence OF the
God Who gave this loved land TO our fathers and will
give it to their children if they prove worthy of such
goody heritage.
What is reconstruction Ia it to return to the Union
on terms of equAtyi Our enemies have answered this
question 10 the negative is TO become subject to
Yankee despotsml To have = Yankee or negro gar
rison in every district To be stripped Of every arm
that might be used in sefdefence It Is worse than
death.
Subugation far preferable for to be SubugatSd Is
to sleep side by side with the honored thousands who
have freely poured their blood in defence OF our
civil and religious liberty, while reconstruction is to
turn our backs upon them AAd give sons to tight the
battles of our enemies. II subjugAted rising genera
tons will point to this Southern land and say, there
once lived race that became extinct in defence Of their
liberties and their noble acts of daring and their pow
ers of endurance in that sacred reflects all honor
upon them and makes them worthy Of the imitation OF
all who boast OF virtue and manhood. If peace come
by reconstruction, our posterty will be pointed at as
the children of towards and slaves who sold their birth.
right for few years Of quiet which they were not per-
mitted to epjoy.
But there is no ground for despondency-no reason
to fear subjugAtion If all do our duty like men, the
God of nations will make bare His arm in the preset ce
of our enemies and give peace coupled with liberty,
gained under His blessing by our own strong arms and
brave hearts.