The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-02-24
JEFF. Davis Proclamation to
the Rebel Armies.
Soldiers ef the Armies Of the Conteder
ate States: -


glorious victories over vastly more nu-
hosts You have cheerfully born
privations and toll to which you were
unused. You have readily submitted to
restraints upon your individual will, that
the citizen might better perform his duty
to the State as soldier. To all these
you have lately added another triumph
the Roblest of human conquests-a victo-
ry over yourselves. As the time drew
near when you who first entered the ser
vice might we'll. have been expected to
claim relief from your arduous labors and
restoration to the endearments Of home,
you have needed only the call of your
suffering country. Again you come to
tender your service for the public defence
"a free offering, which only such patriot
ism as yours could mako triumph wor
thy of you and Of the cause to which you
are devoted.
would in vain attempt adequately to
express the emotions with which l receiv-
ed the testimonials of confidence and re-
gard which you have recently addressed
to me- TO some of those first received
separate Acknowledgements were returned,
but it is now apparent that like gener-
Gus enthusiasm pervades the whole ar
my, and that the only exception to such
magnanimous tender will be of those who,
having originally entered for the war, ;.
cannot now display anew their zeul in the
public service. 1t is. therefore. deemed
appropriate, and it is hoped will be equal
| ly accepta Bile, to make general acknowl
| ed gment, instead of successive special
| hot 10
to render my thanks to you In person,
and. iii the name of our common country,
as well as in my own. while pressing the
hand Of each war worn veteran, to recog
nize his title to our love, gratitude and
admiration. A-ea
Soldiers-By YOUR will-for yeu and
the people are bat one--l have been
placed in position which debars me from
sharing your dangers, Your sufferlmgsa d
your privations in the field With pride
and affection my heart has accompanied
you in every march; with solicituie it
has sought to minister to your every want;
with exultation it has marked your every
/ heroic achievemelit yet nevor in the toil
seme march, nor in the weary watch, nor
in the desperate assault have you render-
the last display of the highest qualities Of
devotion and self-sacrifce which can
adorn the character of the warrior pa
tflUt. TeTfI
Already the pulse Of the whole people
beats in unison with yours; already they
compare your spontaneous and unanimous
n offer of your lives for the defence of your
country with the halting and reluctant
service of the merceDaries who are pur.
, chased by the enemy as the price OF high.
or hounties than have hitherto been know 4
in war. Animated by this contrast, they
exhibit cheerful confidence and more reso
lutte bearing. Even the murmurs OF tl.s
w5ak and tinid, who shrink from the
trials which make stronger and frmel
: your noble natures, are shamed into 81
lenco by the spectacle which you present
Your brave battle cry will ring loud ant
, clear through the land OF the enemy a
we'll as ou- own, will silence the vainglo
rious boastlngs of their corrupt partisan
ard their pensioned press, and will d.
jusvIce the calumuy Dy which the,
seek to persuaue u de;uded people that ar,
ready to purchase di,honorable safety b,
lie .raulng submission. ta3i -&O
Soldiers-TLe coming spring campai =,
will open under auspices well Calculate,
to sustain your hopes. Your resolui.sl
needed nothing to fortify it, With rank
replenished under the influence of y, u
example, and BY the ad of rspresen "a
tives vho give earneat OF their purpose /,
add by Legislation laro ely to your strrnp,h h
you may welcome the Invauer with con
fdcnce justified by the memory or pas
: victories aH 4G c7 as-E
On the otLer hand debt, taxation, re, e
: tttien of heavy drafts dissentions occa
stoned by the str,le tor power, by III,
: pursuit Of the sp0ils of Office by III,
thirst for the pllnder of the public treas
ury and above all, the consciousness OF
bad cause, must tell with fearful force oil
the overstrained energies of the euem
His campaign of 1864 must, from the ex
9 haustion of his resources of men anc
money, be far less formidable than thos,
of the last two years, when unimplire(
means were used with boundless pro
digality, and with results that are sug
gested by the mention of the names o
Shiloh, Perryvills. Murfreesbore and tn,
Chickahominy, Manassas, Frederieks
burg and Chancellorsville.
Soldiers assured success awaits us il
our holy struggle for liberty and indie
pendence, and for the preservation Of al
that renders life desirable to honorabl,
men. When that success shall be reach
: ed, to you your countrys hope and pride
under Divine Providence, will it be due
The fruits of that success will not BE-
reaped by ysu alone; but your children
. and your children = children in long gen.
erations to come will enjoy the blessing.
der we'd from you that will preserve your
memory ever living in their hearts.
Citizens defenders of the homes, the
ELerties aud affairs of the Confederacy-
That the God whom we all humbly wor
ship may shield you with His fatherly
care, and preserve yeu for safe return te
the peaceful enjoyment of your friend.
and the associations of those you mos
j love, is the earnest prayer Of your Com
mander in Chief. -. ~.
JEFFERSON DAVIS,
ALMANAC PREDIcrIoNs.-Sever
!, | 4 Il