True Democrat., 1863-01-14
DREW Co.,, Dec. 29th, 1862.


 Ma. EDITOR: Every one who knowns me knows that physc tliy, am not able to render any service to my country u the present war; but if in my ob- scure corner 1 can say do any thing which will give a single additional impulse to that is in tbe war, consider it my bounlen duty to say or Go it. have supposed this to be possible, and there fore, offer you the following observations for your paper, provided you consider them worthy of a place.
 lst. In late number of your paper noticed two items having reference to extorton, which attract ed my attention. and induced me to examine more particularly, the clause in the Exemption Law, in regard to misunderstanding them to sell at ) per cent profit on the cost of production This IS an excellent provislon-but why was it not exten ded to all exempts? am exempt myself, as being over 45. Why should not be required to sell my products at the same profit? A planter who is exempt may sell at any extOrtiOnate price, while tanner or shoe maker must be content with 75 per cent. The cost of producing a bushel of corn is generally about D cents, which would make the price, according to the spirit of the law 433 1 cents-and yet no one thinks of asking less than dollar. The cost of raising a bushel of Irish DO tatoes is less than that of corn and yet, you say, men are charging S4, and then go about the streets braggng of what they have done for soldiers wid- ows and wives. The same is true of almost every article which grows in the ground, is manuiac tured. Some men absurdly say that supply y and de h about supply and demand. The question is be- tween luxury and starvation The question is, is it right for to indulge myself in a soft carpet while soldiers suffer for a blafket-and in sweet meats, while their wives and children are sulei ing for want of D ece of bread? Women be ex- cused to some extent, but men who do these things not true friends to the country. They are ex- tortioners; they cormoraDts, they are giuttOns in extortion much the man who said turkey was an incDnvcnient bird, because rather too much for one man $ dinner, and not enough tor twO.- Some seek to excuse themselves on the ground that other do the thing; but that excuse would justify murder, adultery any other crime. 2d. have much to say to those who never satisfied unless they are abusing some one of our general officers, and those who cheating the government out of their services, under the ex- emption law; but for fear of taxing you too much at one time, and for the sake of turning to some thing more agreeable to my own feelings. defer these to another time About a year ago hap pcned to take up copy of Bruce'5 Poems, and to read an old and familiar song, entitled "Bruce's Address to his Army,' and it struck me that it would be capital war song for our army; but to change and adopt it so to be sung without spelling the poetry was the trouble. 1 tried my hand on it, and now send you the poor result. If Beauregard's name would rhyme, with "Let him follow me-" l should like it little better. These words not ascribed to Bruce by Sir Walter
 
 Scott's running away, and stopped and denounced them as towards. After talking to them some time, he said 'Whu loves Scotland, Let him fol- lolo me-; and he won the day. The history of Scot land, to which my attention has been more recent ly attracted by the incident referred to, is strk ingfy analogous to our present circumstances, and full of deeds of noble daring, and also of the bas- est treachery that wish it were possible for every man in this Confederacy to read it. All can bear in mind, however, the important fact, that Scotland, under far greater disadvantages than labor, in- stead of being sublugatcd, the phrase goes, achiev cd glorious independence Respectfully, &c. sg.a.
 R. M. GAINES. A version of Bruce's address to his army at Bar mockburn, when the Scott's with 30 900 men whip ped an English army of 100 900. as.itl
 Men, who have with Churchill bled,
 Men, whom Price has often led,
 Welcome to your gory bed, to victory.
 Now. tae day, and now the hoar, See the front of battle lower, Lee, approach old Lincon's power, chains or slavery. | By expressions won, and pains,
 By our sons in servle chains,
 He will drain our dearest veins,
 But they shall be free.
 Lay the proud usurper low, Tyrants fall in every foe,
 Liberty! in every blow;
 Let us do or die.
 Who would be traitor, knowe?
 Who so base as be slave? Who would fill towards grave? Let him turn and flee. l Who for Drie's land and law,
 Freedoms sword will strongly draw9
 Freeman stand, or freeman falll
 Follow Beauregard.