The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-01-27

ers for various reasons. The chief these was the
fear that statement of our just grounds of complaa
against course of policy so injurious TO our
might be misconstrued into appeal for aid Unequal
as We were in mere numbers and available resources
to our enemies we conscious of powers of resist
ance, in relation to which Europe incredu and
our remonstrances therefore peculiarly liable to
be misunderstood. Proudly self-reliant the Confed-
eracy knowing full well the character of the contest
which 1T was forced with full trust in the superior
qualities of its population the superior vaIor of il.
soldiers the superior skill of its Generals and, above
all IN the justice of its cause, felt need appeal
for the maintenance of its rights to other earthly aids
and began and has continued this struggle with the
calm confidence ever inspired in those who with con-
seriousness OF right invoke the Divine blessing
its This confidence has been so assured that
we have never yielded dependency under defeat
nor do we feel undue elation the present brighter
prospect of successful issue to It there
fore, because our just grounds Of complaint no
longer be msinerpreted that lay them clearly before
you, seems to proper to give you the infor-
nation, and although no immediate results be
! tared ii is well that truth should be preserved and
recorded 1t is we'll that those who follow US
should understand the full nature and character of the
tremendous conflict in which the blood of people
has been poured like water and in which they
resisted unaded the shock of hosts which would have
suhced to overthrow many of the powers which, by
their hesitation in according rights indcpen-
dent nation, imply doubt of ability maintain
national existence 1t may be- too, that if in future
times unfrendy discussions not now anticipated shall
unfortunately arise between this Confederacy and
European power the recollection of forbearauce
| under the grievances which have enumerated, may
be evoked with happy influence preventing any ser-
Gus disturbance of peaceful relations.
1t would not be proper to close my remarks the
subject of our foreign relations without adverng
the fact hat the correspondence between the Cabinets
OF France, Great Britain and Russia recently publish
ed, indicates gratifying advance in the appreciation
by those governments Of the interests of mankind
as involved in the this continent. 1t is to the
enlightened ruler of the French nation that the public
feeling Of Europe is indebted for the official exhibition
o its sympathy for the suferngs endured by this peO
pie with SO much herosm, of its horror at the awful
carnage with which the progress of the war has been
marked and of its desire Of speedy peace The clear
and direct intimaon contained in the language of the
French no:c that ability TO maintain ndepen
dence has been fully established, not controverted
by the of either of the Cabinets which il
addressed 1t is indeed difficult to conceive just
ground for longer delay this subject after reading
the following statement of facts contained in the Let
ter emanang from the minister OF his Imperial Maes
v: "Therc has been established from the very begin
ing of this war, equilibrium Of forces between the
belgercnts, which has since been almost constantly
maintained and, after the spilliug of much blood they
Oday in this respect, in situation which has not
sensibly changed. Nothing authorscS the provision
that decisive military operations will shortly
cur According to the last advices received in Europe
the two armies were, the contrary. in condition
which permitted neither to hope within short delay
advantages sufficiently marked to turn the balance de-
hntivcly and to accelerate the conclusion Of peace
AS this government has profesSed the intention
of conquering the United States but has simply
ted its ability to defend itself against being conquered
10y that power, safely conclude that the claims
of this Confcderacy its just place in the family Of
nations cannot long be withheld, after frank and
formal an admission of its capacity to COPE equal
terms, with its aggressive foes and to- maintain itself
against their attempts to obtain decisive results
by arms.
1t is my painful duty again to inform you of the
renewed examples of every conceivable atrocy
mtted By the armed forces of the United States at
different points within the Confederacy, and which
must stamp ndeible nfnmv not only the perpcra-
tors bu! their superiors, who having the power 20
check these outrages humanity, and well
authenticated they have been, have not yet in sim
gle instance of which am aware, inflicted punishment
the wrong -doers. Since my last communication to
you, Gen Mcneil murdered seven prisoners OF war
in cold blood and the demand for his punishment has
remained unsatisfed. The government of the United
States after promising examination and explanation in
relation to the charges made against Gen Berj But
Ter. has, by its subsequent silence after repeated ef
forts part obtain the subject,
only admitted his guilt, but sanctioned it by Acsui
eScence and have accordingly branded this criminal
outlaw and directed his execution in eIpiaton
of his crimes if lie should fall into the hands of of
forces. Recently have received apparently au- !
thentic intelligence Of another General by the al
Nlroy, who has issued orders in Western Virginia for
thc payment of money to him by the inhabitants,
conpaned by the most savage threats OF shooting Ov
recusant besides burning his house. and threaten
ing similar atrocities against ahy of citizens who
shall fail to betray their country by giving him prompt
notice of the approach Of any Of our forces; and this
subject has also been submitted the superior mill !
tary authorities Of the United States, with but faint
hope that they will evince any disapprobatou of the
act Humanity shuddcrs :he appalling atrocities I
those who have obtained temporary possessioh ef
power in the United States and wh" fast making
its once fair by-word Of reprOach among /
civilized men. Not the natural ndignation (
inspired by this conduct should make US, however,
unjust attribute the whole Of the people
" no subjected to the dcspotism that rSigns
with uubrdled license in the city of Washington n
willing acquescence ia its conduct of the There
necessarily exist among oqr enemies, very many
perhaps majority, whose humanity recOils from all
participation in such atrocities, bat who cannot De
held wholly gnltess while permitting their continu-
a ace without effort ut repression.
The public journals Of the North have been received
containing a proclamation dated on the 6rst day OF
the present month, signed by the President of the
Cnied States, in which he orders and declares all
slaves within ten of the States Of the Confeeracy 10
free except such found within certain districts
occupied IN part by he armed forces Of the enemy
We may we'll leave it to the instincts Of thar comm
humanity which benccent Creator has implanted ia
the breasts of fellow of all countless pass
Judgment on a measure bJ which several millions Of
human beings or an inferior race peaceful and con-
tented aborers in their sphere doomed to eIier-
minaiion. while the time they are encouraged
to general assassination OF their masters BY the IN
sdious recomme udation abstain from violence IN
less in necessary self defence Our own detestation
of those who have attempted the most exeeraole
recorded in the history Of guilty man, Il tenn
pered with profound contempt for the imPotent rage
hich it discoses So far regards the action of
this gorernment such criminals may attempt its
execution I confne myself 20 informing you that
shall. uniesss in your wisdom ron deem some other
course more Pxpedient, deliver TO the seyers State
authorities all commissioned officers of the United !
States that may hereafter be captured by forces in
any of the States embraced in the alton that