Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1864-03-17

sary for one State to- secede at a time, get
herself acknowledged, and, after all were
out, turn round and form such Confede-
racy as best pleased them. Old Abr ham
is lighting US not because we are part OF
I, the Sou,h hern Cnntederacy, but because
we are in rebellion to the Old Union
and SO long as weref,ised obedence to him
he would continue TO fight u.s. The idea
that Liucon would recognize us or abate
bis claim to allegiance and obedience, Is
preposterons Well, would the Southern
Confederacy recognize your Independence
and make treaty OF peace With you!
This is entirely owing to contingencies. 1t
you Went out of the Confederacy and de-
clared yoarselt independent, you. wonld
have TO Announce and enforce your posi-
ton Of neutrality with reference to the
other belligerents, or there would be oc-
casion for war. How could you preserve
your neutrality when once announced
The only IA lroad communication between
the armies OF Gen. Lee and Gen. Johnston,
between Virginia and the remainder OF
the Coufederacy, is through N,rth Caro-
lima. I on do not suppose we .could, as a
neutral State, permit the Government al
Richmond to communicate across our ter
ritory with its Southwestern armies. Gen.
Lee sends some of his veterans down here,
takes possession of the railroads the very
arteries OF the Cunfeueracy-and Hogs any.
BODY who iuterferes with hun land SO you
have taC0 wars instead OF one /! There is
another consideration involved great
portion of the provisions that feed General
Lees my are obtained liz North Carolina.
AS neutral State you could not sell them,
and he would be forced to have them, itjs
not dltti cult 10 foresee how speedily y orth
Carolina would become the seat OF war.
Moreover, his troops would say ''These
fellows have basely abandoned us. left us
10 our fate, aud don't deserve our mercy.
Old Abe would se,d his troops here also,
because we woulc no longer be neutral,
and SO, if you will pardon the expression,
we would catch the devil on all sides.
Suppose your State should to-lnorrow
secede from the Confederacy, what would
become OF your soldiers in the army
Some would run away and come home, no
doubt !: but the mass Of them VINO have
followed that old battle flag through smoke
and fire, into the presence OF death, and
waved its bloody folds upon the heights
of Hi hundred fields OF triumph, amid the
cheers OF victory that thrill ap applanding
world-do you suppose that they would
strample it under foot and crawi upon their
bellies ana eat uirt III tnat SOft ot etyiS
{Great applause.) Who then would you
lave to defend North Carolina! few
old men and some militia officers.
Suppose, IS the last alternative tor ob.
tain,,,y PEACE, yonr Convention should
take the State out OF the Confederacy and
put it into tire arms OF Lincoln. Just so
sooiI as you ente red into the old Union
and swure to support that government,
inst 81, SOM would you have imposed on
; you your share of the debt, taxes, bnrth-
ems of the United States. Instead of the
Confederate tax collector coming around
10 gather up Confederate currency, Got
which it nnst be confessed there is no
great lack in the iand) the Federal agent
comes among you demanding "green
backs" and gold to assist IN, carrying on
the war. ! Instead OF getting your sons
back To the pl.,w and freside, they would
he drafted and sent into the service OF
Uuce Sam, to fight alongside ofhis negro
troops in exterM,natirg the white men,
I, women and children Of the South. Is
!, there anything very desirable about such
a peace as that Extend your. snpposi--
\ tions into tile domains OF absnrdity, and
}, conceive of the North Carolina soldiers
basely deserving their comrades in arms,
in obedience to the proclamation OF your
Governor. Why gentlemen, they would
mot come home in peace to yon. Ihcyf
would have to fight with their new irlends,
and would inst cross from, the Southern TO
. the Narrhern side OF the Rappnhannock,