The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-03-01

Inc wager Oh DattlG UdSlBR JccH bCHUGICu3 IL
was accepted. The alacrity with which our people
few to arms is worthy of all praise. Their deeds
of heroic daring patient endurance, ready subnhs-
sion to discipline, and numerous victories, are In
keeping with the fesvent patriotism that prompted
their early volunteering. Quite recently, scores
ofreginaents have re-ensted for the war, testify
ing their determination to fight until their lber-
ties were achieved Coupled with and contributing
greatly to this enthusiastic ardor, was the lofty
courage, the indomitable resolve the selt-denylng
spirit of noble women, who, by their labors OF
love- their patience of hope, their unfinchlng con-
stancy their accompanying submission to priva-
tions of the war, have shed an immortal lustre
upon their sex and counwy.
Our army is no hireling soldiery. 1t comes not
from psupers, criminals emigrants. 1t was
originally raised by the free, unconstralned unpur-
chaseable assent of the men. All vacations and
classes contributed to the swelling numbers
Abandoning Injuries and comforts which they
had been accustomed, they submitted cheerfully
to the scanty fare and exacive service OF the
camps Their services above price, the only re-
muneration they have sought is the protection OF
their affairs, fresides and liberty Iu the Norwe-
gian wars, the actors We're, every one OF them,
named and patronymically described as the Kings
friend and con panion. The same wonderful indl-
viduality has been seen in this war. Our soldiers
are not consolidated mass, unthinklng ma
chine, but army of intelligent units. TO deslg-
nate all who have distinguished themselves by spe-
cial valor, would be to enumerae nearly all i'll the
army. The generous rivalry between~the troops
from different States has prevented amy special
preeminence, and hereafter, for centuries to come,
the gallant bearing and uncoDquerable devotion o!
Confederate soldiers will inspire the hearts and en-
courage the hopes and strengthen the faith Of all
who labor to obtain their freedom.
For three years this cruel war has been Waged
against US, and its continuance has been seized
upon as pretext by some disconnected persons to
excite hostility to the Government. Recent and
public have been the occurrences, 1t is strange
that misrepresentation exists as to the conduct OF
the two Governments in reference to peace. Al
fusion has been made to the unsuccessful efforts,
when separation took place, to procure amicable
adjustment of all matters in dispute. These at
tempts at negotiation do not comprise all that has
been done In every form in which expression
could be given to the sentiment--ln public meet
ings, through the press, by Legislative resolves
the desire of this people for peace, for the unn-
terrupted enjoyment of their rights and prosperity
has been made known. The President, more au
thoriatvely, in several of his messages, while pro-
testing the utter absence Of all desire to interfere
with the United States, acquire any of their
territory, has avowed that the 'sadvent Of peace
will be hailed with joy. Our desire for it has
never been concealed. Our efforts to avoid the
war; forced US as it was by the lust of conquest
and the insane passions of our foes, are known to
mankind"
: The course of the Federal Government has
proved that it did not desire peace, and would not
consent to it on any terms that we could possibly
concede. In proof Of this, refer to the repeat
ed rejection of all terms of Cancellation and com
promise, to their recent contemptuous refusal to
receive the Vice President, who sent to nego-
tate for sotenng the asperities of war; and their
scornful rejection of the offer ofa neutral Power
to mediate between the contending parties. If
cumulative evidence be needed, it be found
in the following resolution, recently adopted by
the House of Representatives in Washington:
" Resolved, That country and the very exist
ence OF the best Government ever instituted by
mperled by the caseless and wicked rebellion that
the world has seen and believing do, that the only
hope of saving this country and preserving this Govern
ment by the power of the sword for the most
vigorous prosecution of the until the Constitution and
the laws shall be enforced and obeyed in all parts of the
United States: and to that end oppose an armscc
or intervention, or mediation proposition for peace
from any quarter so long there shall be found rebel
in arms against the Governments and ignore all party
lines and issues and recognise but two parties
this war-patriots and traitors"
The motive Of such strange conduct is obvious.
The Republican party was founded to destroy
slavery and the equality OF the States and Lincoln
was selected the instrument to accomplish this
opiect. Inc OulOu was a barrier 10 the UNI
nation of this policy, because the Constitution,
which was its bond, recognized and protected sa-
very and the sovereignty OF the States. The I'm
ion must, therefore, be sacrificed and to ensure its
destruction, determined on.
The mass oftRe Northern people were not PRIV
to, and sympathized in such design. They
loved the Union and wished to preserve it, TO
rally the people to :he support of the war; it's OBJ
ject proclaimed to be "a restoration of the
Uuon,' as if that WHICH implied voluntary assent,
Of which agreement was an indispensable element
and condition. could be preserved by coercion. 1t
is absurd to pretend that Government, really de-
'sirous of restoring the Union, would adopt such
measures the confscation Of private property,
the emanc patton of slaves systematic efforts to n-
wife them to iusurrection iorcible ab6ucticn from
their homes and compulsory enlistment in the ar
my, the division of sovereign State without it's
consent, and proclamation that one tenth of the
population of State, and that tenth upder mill
tary rule, should control the will of the reuairing
nne-tenths. 1hc only relation possible between
the Two sections, under such policy, is that OF
conqueror and conquered, superiorand dependent
Rest assured, fellow citizens, that although resto-
ration may still be war cry by the Northern
Government, it is only TO delude and beray Fa-
natieism has summoned TO its aid cupidity and
vengeance; and nothing short of your utter suhu-
cation, the destruction Of your State Governments,
til overthrow of your social and political fabric,
your personal and public degradation and ruin,
viii satisfy the demands of the North. Can there
be so vile, so debased, so unworthy of litar-
ty as to accept. peace on such humliating terms
1t would hardly be fair TO assert that all the