The daily confederate. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1864-1865, 1864-02-26

that heralded their approach; and the ar
my of Northern Virginia, a short time before
bouyant with hope and resplepdent with
success, now weak and wasted, were actually
preparing to fall back upon Richmond
Who does not remember that dark and dis
NAL 22d of February on which the President
was inaugurated-with its thick clouds over
head, its rain dripping ceaseessly down, and
the earnest, anxious countenances of the as
semUled multitude! Gloom rested on every
thing, but more especially on the minds of
the people, Sine then we have lest much
territory and several strong points of de-
fence but consider what we have gained -
We have learned, in a great degree, to live
within ourselves, and within ourselves to
maintain and support our armies. We have
: learned to bear privasion and suffering for the
sake of our cause The hearts If our people
have become practised in the vicIsstudes of
war, pleased with success, but steady under
misfortunes. High courage was always a
characteristic of our people. We are now
fast acquiring iortitude also. These. united,
Constitute the hi2 hest type of military charac-
ter. Look to the change in the condition of
oar soldiers Then, thev we e mostly undisci-
pinned recruits, disappointed III the duration
of the war, impatient of restraint, and -anx-
Jus 10 return to their homes. Now, they arc
mostly well trained veterans. Injured to the
service. practised n arms, and having conf
dance both IL ttltmse Ives and their Ieaders.-
Then some were actually laying down their
arms and quitting the field in the face of the
foe now, there is a fierce emulation among
them who shall be foremost in re-enlisting for
the war Speak to them now of approaching
Conflict, and the wild shout that rings'along
their ranks and ascends to Heaven, gives to-
ken Of the desperate valor with which 10 the
approaching campaign they will rush upon
the mercenarics who oppose them. With
such cause to defend, such soldiers to de-
fend it, and a JUS God ruling over all, SUI
iuSatlon can never come-wliiie the hearts of
our people are true. Never, never! Il, in
vain efoIt to save their property, or III
Mad spirit OF revenge for measures which they
DO not understand, or do not relish, our peo-
shond relax their efforts and bow their nrcks,
of course tie yoke would be placed upon
them. But if they are resolved to struggle
Oh through all the shifting phases of fortune,
to- lear all aud suffer all for the cause: to
give money, blood life. everything that may
be necessary, our ultimate triumph is, in my
Judgment as sure as the coming of to-mor-
rows sun. But why doubt the people? Our
cause has thus tar been borne UP on their 10y
al an,! steadiast hearts, as steadfast and loyal
as any similar convulson ever before display
ed Why should they now hesitate? Our
foes have not displayed new qualities Of mag
.nanimity and Observation-Disclosures, calculated to
rec onciIesns to their rule ; cur honor is not
les. dear to us our torn affections and ruined
hopes plead not in behalf Of cur spoilers
No! The people are resolved They are
self devoted They will make all needful
sacrifices. The fires of Independence are bur-
ming brightly in their busonls.
Civil connections Of this kind usually give
birth to prodigies of military and civil great
ness but if there have been fewer insta noes
of great individual superiority in this instance
than in others. II is perhaps, because the quail
ties Of true greatness are now m re universally
dffused throughout the mass OF the people.
We have not now a hero here and hero there;
every village and every hamlet and almost
every hcmeste q, now has its hero. Qualities
Of hereoism have found their way into the
bosom of the softer sex, and men dare not, if
they would be otherwise than brave and true
Go forth then, felow-men, bcrs, and by
word and deed stimulate their zeal, nerve their
resolution, give the IL confidence in their rulers
as well as in their cause AMI fau the fires Of
independence, till, in their broad, bright light,
every city and village and hamlet-eyery
palace and cottage and hove--shall glow and
CLEAN and reducu like very furnace Of
patriotic ardor.
Victory sits far off Oh her mountain throne.
Between us and her there may be defles to be
passed, ravines to be crossed, crumbling lodges
to be surmounted. that may break beneath
our feet. But if, notwithstanding all, we
will move with steady step and determined
purpose, all these difficulties will be overcome,
aad soon, aye sooner than we think, we shall
seize Der Oh her high seat bring her home to
ourselves, and enthrone her over our fortunes
for long years to come.
Now, one word as to ourselves. | thank
you, earnestly and cordially, for the kindness
with which you have uniformly sustained me,
in the discharge Of the responsible and difficult
duties with which have been Gu rgcd-more
responsible and difficult than many people
imagine.
/ thank you, especially, for the kind testi-
mOny which you last evening bore, unani-
mously, to the faiihfuln:ss of my efforts, and
| only regret that those efforts have not been
sustained by a greater measure of ability on
my part. And now. standing here, in this
presence, with my hand upon my heart, and
my face uplifted to Heaven, protest, that in
the performance of my duties az Speaker of
this House, | have been actuated by no par
TALLY, prejudices OF ill-wll, but have sought,
SO to do Justice to all, as best to subserve the
public good. And every member of this
House will carry with him. when he leaves
this Hall, my best wishes for his individual
happiness and prosperity; and my earnest
prayers will ascend to the fountain and source
of all mercy that all of us who are yet spared,
may live to see our contest successfully ter
minated, our liberties establisli ed, our coun-
try in peace and prosperity. and sour own
names remembered as those WHO. in its day
of sore trial. did the State some service.
1t only remains for me to pronounce, as
now do, that this House stands adjourned
sine die.