Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-09-28
To the People Of the. Confederate
States.

Our country is nov passing through
one Of the most trying and fiery ordsals
which any christian people was ever call
ed upen 70 endure and suffer.
We are assaulted without by the bru-
tai, ~rapacious, and vandal hordes of the
North, who proclaim their ixsd determ-
nation to destroy and annihilate US as
a natien. Pc are beset within by a
heartlsss, rapacious horde of spectators
and extorAorers, who, like ravenous
wolves, are pleying upon the life blood
| of the people ind Government.
The latter, 10 less than the former, are
working, Internationally it may be, to
accomplish same object t, the utter
Prects@tioz. Ill PUN of our Ooautrys
We have reached an alarming crisis in
our history, that burdens the heart, and
TEXTURES the feeling of every true lover of
his country And this deplorable state
of things has been brought about more
by the enemies tolerated in our midst
than by the enemy without.
Every true patriot feels that a new war
must be begun, that a new organization
must take place, and the forces must
speedily be marshalled to, combat the
vile horde of spectators and extortion-
ers, who are steadily but surely hurry
ing US on to certain destruction.
The diabelical> vandsls of the North are
burning Misunderstanding our homssteads
and fair land frem without, while the
demon spirit OF. sslfshness and greed Of
gain is undermining US within.
49, bro~a sp1 o1ou;+oljo -o1J;oc- -
more than q match for our enemies with
out, if the patriot citizens who remain at
home will only protect their wives and
children from this fell destroyer within.
We feel that the turning point in our af
fairs has now eliminated, and unless we
arm ourselves Immediately for this hsu
war, utter disgrace, degradation and ru-
in starves US in the face.
The call to- swell the ranks of oul
noble armies in the field, is not more
imperative, the duty more binding, or the
impulse heller, than the call now made
upon every lover of liberty and country
to enroll his name, employ his capital
and give all his energies to the task o
wa.ing an uncompromisins war agains
the army Of spectators and sxtortion-
ers who are dsmoralizing the people ane
destroying the morale of eur armies, ant
like fostering cankers are eating out GU
national life.
This work musf be done, it shall b
done, or else tAe' demon Of avarice viii
engulph the nation.
Organize is the word. Oaganize! i
the watchcry, and rekindls the fires c
patriotism all over the land. Let Their
be one mighty efert of the people in tn
spirit of self sacrifice, and the work pre-
posed will be accomplished.
We propose, therefore, to organize GU
forces for this new and holy crusade, ur
der the nan and title of
CONFEDERATE SOCIETIES;
and we pledge our sacred honor:
Ist. To establish, ordain, and recei.
Confederate money on q basis of gold an
silver.
I'd. To devote our time and all of OIL
means to the reduction Of prices to Il
specie standard.
Asscitizens, we have but to orsani
and will it, and the work IS done.
AS a merchant to buy and sell witho
any profit for self or to accumulate mo
AS a farmer, to sell at the simple CO
of production, to be regulated by an 9:
. ~scutive committee Of said Society.
: A. a manufacturer to dispose of all
ii Innro coct af manufacturing.