True Democrat., 1863-02-25


 of hosts which would have suficed to overthrow many of the powers which by their hesitation in according to our rights, as an independent nation
 imply doubt of our ability to maintain our national
 existence. It may be, too that if in future times I unfrendly discussions not now anticipated shall i unfortunately arise between this Confederacy and some European power, the recollection ofour griev ances which have enumerated, may be evoked with happy influence in preventing any serious dis
 turbance of peaceful relations | It would not be proper to close my remarks on the subjecto our foreign relations without dyer.s ting to the fact that the correspondence between the cabinets of France, Great Britain andiR ussa, recently published, indicates gratifying advance | Tn the appreciation by those governments of the true interests of mankind as involved in the war on this continent. It is to the enlightened ruler of the French nation that the public feeling of Flu rope is indebted for the first official exhibition of it's sympathy for the suffering endured by this peo- | pe With so much heroism, of it's horror at the tul carnage with which the progress of the war has been marked, and of it's desire for speedy peace. The clear and direct intimation contained in the French note. that our ability to maintain our inde- pendence hns been fully established, was not con- troverte by the answer Of either Of the cabinets to | whom 1t was addressed.
 It Is indeed difficult to conceive just ground for alonger delay this subject after reading the following statement of facts contained in the letter emanating from the Minister of his Irnpcral Ma lesty: "There has been established from the very commencement of this war. an equilibrium of forces between the belligerents.. which has since been most constantly maintained and after the splling or so much blood, they to day. in this respect, ina situation which has not sensbly chang eds Nothing authorizes the supposition that more decisive military operations will shortly occur According to the last advices received in Eurone the two armies were, on the contrary, in q cond- ton which permitted neither to hope within short delay advantages sufficiently marke ed to turn the hal al nd foa sion of peace" As this government has never protessed the intention of conquerng the United States but has simply asserted it's ability-to defend itself against being conquered by that power we may safely conclude that the claims of this Con- eder ICY to it's just place in the family of nations cannot long be withheld after so frank and formal admission of it's capacity to cope, on equal terms, with it's aggressive foes, and to maintain itself against their attempts to obtain decisive re- suits by
 It is my painful duty again to inform you of the renewed examples of every conceivable atrocity committed by the armed forces of the United States, at different points within the Confederacy, and which must stamp indelhle infamy, not only on the perpetrators, but their superiors, who, hay ing the power check tn ese outra ges on humanity numerousa and authenticated as they have been, have not vet, In single instance of which 1 a n aware, inflicted punishment on the ngdoers- Since my last communication to you, one Gen. McNe murdered seven prisoners of war in cold blood, and the demand for his punishment has rnaned unsatisfed. The government of the Uni. ted States, after promising examination and eypla nation n relationto the charges made against Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, has, by it's subsequent silence, after repeated efforts nay part to obtain some answer the subject not only adinitted his guilt, but sanctioned 1t by acquiescnce and I have scordinely branded this criminal an outlaw, and directed his execution in expiation of his crimes if he should fall into the hands of any of our forces.
 Ihave received apparently authentic intelligence of another general ofsthe name of Miroy, who has issued orders in Western Virginia for the pay ment of money to him by the inhabitants, accom panied by the most savage t eats of shQOtDg every rccusant, beside. burning h house; and threat ng similar atrocities against any ot our citizens who shall faifto betrav their conntrybf giving him prompt notice Of thc approach of any of forces, and this subject has also been submitted to the SUI perior military authorities of the United States, with but faint hope that they willrevince any dis approbaton of the act. Humanity shudtleTs at the appalling atrocities which are being daily multi piled under the sanction Of those who have obtain ed temporary possession of the pow u the United States, and who fast making ifs once fair name q by word of reproaeh among civilized men. Not even the natural indignation inspired by this con duct should make Us, however, so unjust, as to at tribute to the whole mass of the people who are subjected to the despoisn that regns with unbrded license in the city of Washington, WliillR dCSHltseHCc III the tOnlUfI of tue NdT.- There must necessarily exist among our enemies, very many, perhaps majority, whose humanity reooils from all participation in such atrocities, but who cannot be held wholly guIltless while per hitting their continuance without an effort at pression.
 The public journals of the North Have been re ceived, containing proclamation dated on the first day of the present morth signed by the Pre- sident of the United States ir which he orders and declares all slaves within ten of the States of the Confederacy to be free, except such are to be found within certain districts now occupied in part blythe armed forces of the enemy.
 We may well leave it to the instincts of that common humanity which a benefcient Creator has implanted in the breasts of our fellow men of all countries, to pass judgment measure by which several millions of human beings of an inferior race, peaceful and contcnted laborers in their sphere, are doomed to extermination, while at the same time they are encouraged to general assas sinaion of their masters by the insdious recon mendaton to abstain from violence, unless in necessary sef-defense.'
 Our own detestation of those who attempted the nest execrabe measure recorded in the history of guihy man, is tempered by profound contempt for the mpotent rage which it dscoses. So far as regards the action of this government on such criminals as may attempt its execution, confine myself to informing you that shall, unless in your wisdom you deem some other, course more expe dlent, denver to the several State authorities all comm ssiOned officers of the United States that may hereafter be captured by our forces in any of the States embraced in the proclamation that they may be dealt with in accordance with the@laws of those States providing for the punishment of rm- nals engaged in exciting sefvile insurrection. The enlisted soldiers shall cantinue to treat as unwi ling instruments in the commission of these crimes, and shall direct their discharge and return to their homes on the proper and usual parole.
 In it's political aspect, this measure possesses great significance, and to it, in this light, invite your attention. It affords to our whole people the complete and crowning proof the true nature of the party which elevated to power the present oc- cupent o' the presidential chair at Washington, and which sought to conceal it's purposes by every variety of artful device, and by the 'perfdons use of the most solemn and repeated pledges on every possible occasion l extract in this connection as a simple example, the following declaration made by President Lincoln, under the solemnty of his oath as chief magistrate of the United States, the 4h of March, 1861:
 |" Apprehension seems to exist among the peo- pie of the Southern States that by the accession of a republican administration, their peace and personal security are to be endangered. There has never been any reasonable excuse for such apprc- tensions. Indeed the most ample evidence to the contrary has all the while existed, and been open to inspection. It is found in nearly all the public speeches of him ho addresses you. Ide but quote from one of those speeches when declare that have no purpose, directly indirectly, to interfere with the institution Of slavery in the