The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-02-16
ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT DAVIS TO
THE ARMY.

The following is an address of the President to
the Armies:
Soldiers Of the Armies Of the Confederate States:
In the long and bloody war in which your coun-
try is engaged, you have achieved many noble tri-
umphs. You have won glorious victories over vast
ly more numerous hosts You have cheerfuy
borne prvatons 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 soldier. To all these you
have lately added another triumph, the nobest Of
human conquests-a victory over yourselves.
As the time drew near when you who first enter
ed the service might well have been expected to
claim relief from your arduous labors and restora-
ton 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 patriotism as
yours could make-a triumph worthy of you and OF
the cause to which you are devoted!
| would in vain attempt adequately to express the
emotions with which | received the testimonials of
confidence and regard which you have recently adj
dressed to To some of those first received,
separate acknowledgements returned. But it
is now apparent that like generous enthusiasm
pervades the whole army, and that the only excep-
ton to slch magnanimous tender will be of those
who having originally entered for the war, cannot
display their zeal in the public service. 1t is
therefore. deemed appropriate, and it is hoped will
be equally acceptable, to make general acknowl-
edgment, instead of successive special responses.
Would that it were possible to render my thanks to
you in person, and in the name of our common
country, well as in my own, while pressing the
hand of each worn veteran, TO recognize his IL
tie to our love, gratitude, and admiration.
Soldiers. BY your will flor you and tie people
are but one) l have been placed in position which
debars me from Sharing your dangers your suffer
ings and your privations in the field. With pride
ana affection my heart has accompanied you in
every march with solicltude it has sought to minis
ter to your every want; with exnltation it has
marked your every heroic achievement. Yet never
in the toilsome march, nor in the weary watch,
in the desperate assault have you rendered
vice so decisive in results as in this last display of
the highest qualities of devotion and self sacrifice
which can adorn the character of The warrior-p
triot.
Already the pulse of the whole people beats in
unison with yours, Already they compare your
spontaneous and unanimous offer of your lives, for
the defence of your country, with the hating and
reluctant service fthe mercenarles who are pur
chased by the enemy at the price of higher bountes
than have hitherto BEEN known in war. Animated
by this contrast, they exhibit cheerful confidence
and more resolute bearing. Even the murmurs of
the weak and timid, who shrink FROM the trials
which make stronger and irmer your noble natures,
are shamed into silence by the spectacle which you
present. Your brave battle=cry will ring loud and
clear through the land of the enemy. wellas
own; will silence the vain glorious boastings of
their corrupt pArtisans and their pensioned press;
and will do justice to the calumny by which they
seek to persuade deluded people that you are
ready to purchase dshonorable safety by degrad
ing submission.
Soldiers The coming Spring campaign will open
under auspices well calculated to sustain your
hopes. Your resolution needed nothing TO fortify
it. With ranks repenished under the influence of
your example, and by the aid Of your representa-
tives, who give of their purpose to add, by
legislation largely to your strength you may well
come the invader with confidence justified by the
memory Of past Victories On the other hand, debt,
taxaton, repetition of heavy drafts. discussions,
caspned by the strife for power, by the pursuit of
the spells of Office. by the thirst for the plumber of
the public treasury; and, above all, the conscious
ness of bad cause must tell with fearful force up
ON the over strained energies of the enemy. His
campaign in 1864 must, from the exhaustion ofhis
resources both in men and money. be far less for
midable than those of the last two years. when
impaired means were used with boundless prodigal-
ty, and with results which are suggested by the men
ton of the glorious of Shiloh and Perryville
and Murfreesboro' and Chickamauga. and the
Chicka hominy. and Manassas, and Fredericksburg
and charlottesville.
Soldiers! Assured success awaits us in our holy
struggle for. liberty and Independence and for the
preservation of all that renders life desirable to hon
orable men. When that success shall be reached.
to you, your country hope and pride, under Divine
Providence, will it be due. The fruits of that sue
cess will not be reaped by you alone, but your chill
dren and your childrens children in long genera
fons to come, will enjoy blessings derived from you
that will preserve your memory ever living in their
hearts.
Citizen defenders of the homes the liberties and
the affairs of the Confederacy! That the God whom
we all humbly worship may shield you with his Fa-
thery care, and preserve you for safe the
peaceful enjoyment of your friends and the assoca-
ton of those you most love- is the earnest prayer of
your Commander in Chief.
JEFFERSON DAVIS,
Richmond Feb 10, 1864.
The Wesfern De,uocrnt