The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-09-08

and influence (if it were possible to deny to him
higher and nobler motives of conduct) as to will
fully neglect the defence of any portion of the
country Certain It is, that few men have had
a more general voice of his countrymen, of his
enemies and of the world, to ascribe to them
greater political wisdom, frmness integrity and
dignity than President Davis, in the administra-
,tion of government under the most trying cir
seunstances.
And here may take occasion to remark,
that 1T is to him may ascribe the preservation
of Gents Lee, Johnston, Beauregard and Bragg
for the Leadership Of our armies since disaster
in the career of each one Of those great military
,chieftans has compelled them in turn to pass I'M
der cloud, when popular clamor called for their
dismissal Happily for the country, be did not
initiate, in this respect, the example OF his blum
dering contemporary at Washington.
But beyond these demonstrations of hostility to
the present administration, "the faction" declare
'"that more is demanded of North Carolina than
any of her sister States, and that some of them
shave not been called upon, or have not furnished
as many soldiers for the field in proportion to pop
,ulation as North Carolina, and that for this and
other reasons, they resolve that North Carolina
,gill send no moro troops to the field"
Fhat North Carolina has been called upon for
larger quota Of troops than the other States you
may be we'll assured is untrue. Calls have been
made for tpoops, but for no particular number
frem each State The cali is for all between GER
tain ages in all the States; and this is sufficient to
show how false and reckless men become when
they yield themselves to the spirit Of faction. IF
the people of any other of the States have failed
to respond to the CALI then they cannot escape the
charge of disloyalty, and violation of their pied
ges, made at the beginning Of the contest. This
is the accusation made by "the faction" in North
Carolina, and they propose themselves to adopt
the same disloyal conduct Their avowed senti-
ments lead to this. All men must be held, moral
ly and legally, to intend the natural and the me-
cessary consequences of their acts and if this be
so, the conclusion is irresistible, that when these
called upon to render support to the cause
of the country and they refuse to do So but threat
en- violent resistance to the law they are prepared
for submission, for union!. Nor does it matter
whether they avew these sentiments or deny them,
if they are prepared for resistance to law ofthe
land most essential to the defence of the country,
does not their conduct lead directly to this result?
1t would be unwse as it would be unjust, to- at
tempt to magnify the Importance of these mani
festaions of dsloyaty, but they cannot be without
evil tendency in encouraging soldiers to desert
their colors and abandon their comrades, in
pressing their ardor, in sowing the seeds of dis
trust and dependency among the people of our
sister States, and in encouraging the enemy to
persist in his designs Of conquest prolongng there
by the horrors and distresses ofthe war. Beyond
may bring calamity to be deplored
by themselves. It is not impossible that these
men should succeed in lighting the blaze of iptes-
tine civil war in own State. The fate of
Maryland, Kentucky add Missouri is before for
solemn warning. Be assured, the North Carolina
troops will not turn back in the course which they
have pursued hitherto Their honor is too deeply
pledged IN blood to admit Of this Hardships and
dangers we know to be in our onward path, but
ruin, worse than ignominious death, we know to
be involved in turning back, and such must be
the fate of all patriotic men. Those who refuse
to aid us and invite the enemy to our conquest,
would not escape in the general wreck Of our
political fortunes.
But there is yeta consideration to which your
attention has not been invited. The systematic
violation of all the laws of civilized warfare by the
enemy, has not been without its natural influence
in intiamag resentment and exciting towards
him extreme hatred. He has paid no respect to
the inviolabiity Of private property the person.
al liberty of non combatants. He has made war
upon innocent and defenceless old men, women
and children, by 'driving them as refugees from
their homes, burning their dwellings and taking
from them their means of subsistence. He has
employed in his service-in command of his ar
mies-beasfs in human shape, who have not hest
tated to nict upon ladies of the greatest refine
meAt, the most cruel insults His crueltics to our
people have been limited only by his power
Surely there cannot be man of honorable impul-
ses or generous nature in our whole State who
has not felt his heart swell with indignation at the
recital of the inhuman barbarities of our foe But
it must occur to you a matter exciting the
greatest astonishment that the employment of the
slaves of the South and the free negroes of the
North, to murder our citizens aud oppose us in
honorable combat as soldiers, should not have fred
the soul of every man in the South, and raised
every strong arm 10 her defence. He who bears
this enormity with patience is coward or brute,
"whom it would be base fattery to call man.
And can he who counsels submission, or whose
course of conduct tends to this result, escape this
condemnation? And under such circumstances,
could we fail to transfer to our enemies at home
and the main authors of our caamities, the hatred
and revenge which we cherish for Our public enemy?
But let US invite you to Policy which shall
avoid all apprehensions of evil and disaster. Let
all the good and patriotic people of the State
unite in public avowal of their opinions, in de-
nunciaton of the sentiments and designs of this
faction. This cannot fail to DESTROY t.. If errors
in the conduct of our affairs have been committed,
let as brush them from our memory or threw over
them the mantle of charity Let the, disgusting
chickering's of partzans and politicians be once
more banished from the arena Let us in the
midst of the fearful dangers that surround us,
renew our pledge Of devotion to the cause of the
country, and lightupon her affairs eternal blazing
fires.
Let us above all not permit North Carolina to
grecoli from the contest 7 Of her pot kocoma a