The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-07-19
INVASION OF THE NORTH.

no good could come Of the invasion of the terrific
~ or tho North; that our armies had better keep
out OF Maryland, Pennsylvania, &c; that such
movements tend only to exasperate tie people
among whom they are made, and to unite those
who otherwise might and would. become divided
among themselves.
Now, with all due respect for the verv respecta-
3l9 EeRtiemen whom we baFe heard express these
oplmons we must say that we cannot agree with
them. The time was when these arguments might
have had some weight but that time has long
since passed.
Putting aside President Davis his advisers and
our Generals, who some people might suppose best
prepared to judge Of the policy Of army move,
ments, we will discuss the question entirely on our
own judgment.
Every intelligent person at the North knows
that the South is not fighting for conquest--that
it has never, and does not ever propose to subiu-
gate the people OF the North, TO confscate their
houses, lands. goods and effects That we desire
only to be let alone, has been itersed and reitera-
ted, and whenever, our army has gone into the
northern States private property has been respect
ed, and care has been taken to impress the fact
upon the minds Ut the people that we are wasipg
no war OF subJuga:ion or conquest; we do not ask
them to take any oath Of allegiance to the Corfed-
crate States; We expect them TO remain in their
own State, which we do not design to hold, don
wish to live in, aud which, under any circumstan-
ces, we never expect OF desire to belong to the
Confederate States. They know these things just
as we'll as VIC DO They know tha: if we arc let
alone--it the war against US is stopped-thcy will
never be molested, but will be left to the quiet
joyment OF their own homes and institutions:
II, then, they would not have their own grounds
Converted into battle-felds, aud themselves forced
to witness or TO share in the work Of destruction
and death, let them go to work III the cause Of
peace. Peace, peace,.is all we want, and we are
lighting because our enemies will give US no peace
But even suppose that we should tau some
smoulderng fires into a blaze, or stir up some
phlegmaic Pennsylvania farmers or Ohio pork
men; must we, for fear Of these, remain quietly in
our own borders, while their soldiers make raids
through our unprotected DISTRICTS robbing burn.
ing and leaving in their track barren waste? Is
It good policy that should continue to suffer all
the horrors OF war, without attempting retail
atIon! is It likely that such meek Conduct would
foes cease their acts of vandalism? On
the other hand is it not more probable that when
they'are made to know that their friends at home
vii! suffer the same measure Of woe that they TO-
hict upon the South, that their own honeseads
may be in danger; their own wives and children
subject to the suffering and indignites that
they inh:ct upon the women aud children of the
South; is 1t not mOrc probable, We say, that when
they are made to know and feel these things, they
will pause before they apply the torch to private
dwellings,, and insult aud abuse unprotected women
and children? These are some Of the questions
which those who assert that invasion of the North
is wrong should ask themselves Oher questions
concerning the checkmatiug Of 6 Grant &c, we say
nothing about though they may possibly have u
more determining: fnencc than any of the others
Let the home folks at the North feel some Of
the horrors Of war. let them witness these from
their own door steps; let them feel that the shock
Of battle may overwieln aud bury them and all
hat they hold dear in onacommon ruin. Let all
these Influences work upohttcm, and the chances
arc that they will be made active peace men, in
stead of vengelul warriors.
Indeed, we do not know but it tgouli be for best
to pursue, wherever We so in the cncmy's terrific
ry, the course that they have pur. ued 10
carry of, burn, destroy, lay waste everything
This would be only strict justice, though far we
have doue such thing. In General Lees cxpe.
dition into Pennsy lgauia private property left
uuinju jured and peaceful citizens unmglestCd.
The people OF the North all know that the South
does not wish to conduct the war in tarbarous
bat i. a civilized manner, ard If our army does a-
ply the sword aud torch they will fully understand
hat is only in retaliation for hat they have done
in the South
Should We -retaliate, appears TO to be fully
settled in the affirmative. Can we do go, is ques-
tion we must leave our Government to determine.
- Charlotte Bulletin.