The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-03-22
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS.
Rumors of recognition BY France-failures and
disasters of the enemy in Mississippi, Northern
Georgia, Florida, Mobile and Charleston-the adj
vance of Yankee gold to 170-the return of Yam
kee troops to their homes-suspension ofthe draft
the disgrace of Meade-the trembling attitude
of Wall street.-the opposition of Earl Derby to
the British Ministry and increasing impatience Of
the English neutrality-suspicious. at the North
loss of confidence and momentary fear ola 6nan
cisl panic snd revolution these are some of the
signs of the times across the border, Which bid US
keep heart and hope ons
How stand we at home? The fourth year oil
the war has been inaugurated with series of sue
.cesses. Our armies are strong and in fighting
trim; baggage has gone to the rear and men are
stripped for battle; buoyant spirit everywhere
prevails; confidence 10 cause grows apace, and
Confederate currency begins to wear its rejuvena
ted aspect; gold is going down; speculation ha.
halted for time; prices of stocks and bonds are
rambling; and, in short we show that wonderful
vitality" before which the New York Times stands
amazed. Strike the balance between the two
causes, and take courage. On the one hand, despe
ration weakness doubt and internal strife; and on
the other, fresh courage, strength, faith and unity
of purpose. Is not the contrast cheering, and
should we not be grateful to that overriding power
which has so nearly given us the victory that we
have to struggle but few months more and claim
it as our own?-C Columbia Curoliniam.
The signs are cheering, but whether cheering or
not let us all resolve never to submit to Abe Lin
coin aud his brutal crew.
THE FEELING IN THE ARMY.-A private SOL
der belonging to Go f, (fIom Harnett county, }
in the 18th Regt, Cookies Brigade, called upon us
few days ago to tell us Of the amazing change
L i Al
ginia within the past two or three months, part
leading to, and in part resulting from the reenlist
meDts of the troops. The men had become dis
pirited, restless, bent upon coming home at the
expiration of their terms of service. Gradually a
better spirit began to prevail, and when Gen Lee
called upon them they were prepared to furnish
that unparalleled evidence of selfsacrfcing patri-
otism, the re-ens'ment of companies, regiments,
brigades aud entire Divisions. Since that time,
he says, the utmost cheerfuness, amounting to
playfulness, prevails in the camps Many desert
ers have returned: and desertions haze ceosed.-
There is also remarkable degree of health. In
his regiment, out of $50 men, only were 90 the
sick list. The meat ratons were small, but they
were compensated for by plenty of bread, coffee,
sugar, and often vegetables, such as potatoes, cab
bages, and turin ps-
1t cannot be otherwise than for great purpose
that He in whom are the wills and affections of
uen should thus have turned the hearts of our
soldiers from dependency to hopefulness, from
discomfort at their hard lot to the most cheerful
submission to all the requirements of that lot
Such men will not, cannot be subjugated. Fay
etteU1lle Observer.
The NEW ORDER OF ExCHANaE-Arriroi
and Departure Of Prisoners-The fact that d
regular, aid, to all appearances, fair exchange of
prisoners, Is now IN operation, seems to excite the
curiosity of the ipquisitive, who want to know
how the thing be while Butler is still in au-
thority in the matter The fact is, SO far as this
particular system of exchange is concerned, that
Butler is out of the question altogether. The ar
-angement is the affair especially Of Commissioner
Guild on the Confederate side, and Major milford,
Commander of the truce steamer "New York" on
the other. By virtue of the agreement between
these two gentlemen, We send them in return for
Confederate prisoners delivered at City Point, a
number of Federal prisoners from the Libby and
Belle Isle, equivalent to -tenths of the num-
Der so delivered. By this means, the unjust
claims of the Federal Government, which have
been the subject of such long and apparently in.
effective correspondence, are quietly laid on the
shelf, and if the exchange continues, the last batch
of Yankee prisoners delivered to the Federal au-
thorities will herald the close and completion of
the exchange. Lincoln will have back the whole
Of his "captive army" and we will have back ours.
Belle Isle and Jchnson's Island, the Libby aud the
Fort McHenry will be cleared out and made ready
for the reception of new visitors.
On Saturday morning, the 18th inst, Maj Null
ford arrived at City Point, per steamer New York,
with about $50 Confederate privates, and IS Con-
federate officers. In return for this number, 42O
Yankee privates and 40 officers were sent.-RtcA-
nsond Enquirer.
A NOBLE SoLD1ER.-A Glorious Death and
Eran,ple.-Among the noble lives that were sac
ri6ced on the altar Of their noble country at Brs-
tow Station, Va, the fatal 18th of October last,
was that of Lieut. Paul b Grier, of Co E, 18th
(BetheD Regiment, N. c. t. He was brave
and patriotic youth, the of Mrs Margaret Grier,
q widowed lady of Mecklenburg county, who had
lost another gallant in the service of his coun-
try. A few days before his death, in reply to his
mother requesting him to come home or furlough,
he wrote
"Dear mother, desire greatly to visit my dear
home and see you all once more; but cannot ask
q furlough DOW, when the call of our bleeding
country requires every man that can raise an arm
in her defence to be at his post. Important move
ments sre going on, and soon we will be called on
to strike one more blow for our homes and our
fresides."