Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1864-03-09


the family of nations, without external com
merce, without foreign credit, with the
prejudices of the world against u.s.. While
we were without manufacturing facilities
to supply our wants, our ports were blocka-
ded; we had tc grapple with great adver-
sary, defend 1000 miles Of sea coast and an
inland frontier of equal extent. If we had
succeeded in preventing any successes on
the part of our enemy it would have been
miracle. What we have accomplished,
with population SO inferior in numbers,
and means so vastly disproportionate, Las
excited the astonishment and admiration
of the world.
| The war in which we are engaged was
wickedly, and against all our protests and
most earnest efforts to the contrary, forced
upon us. South Carolina sent commits
sion to Washington to adjust all questions
of dispute between her and the U. States.
One of the first acts of the Provisional Gov
ernment was to accredit agents to visit
Washington, and use all honorable means
to obtain satisfactory settlement of all
questions of dispute with that Government.
Both efforts failed. Commissioners were
deceived and rejected, and clandestiue but
vigorous preparations were made for war.
In proportion to our perseverance and anx-
iety have been the obstinacy and arrogance
in spurning offers of peace. 1t seems we.
can be indebted for nothing to the virtues
of our enemies. We are obliged to his
vices, which have enured to our strength.
We owe as much to his insolence and blind.
ness as to our precautiou.
The wager of battle having been tender
ed, it was accepted. The alacrity with
which our people few to arms is worthy of
all praise. Their deeds of heroic daring,
patient endurance, ready submission to dis
cipline, and numerous victories, are in keep.
ing with the fervent patriotism that 'promp-
ted their early volunteering Quite recent
ly scores of regiments have re-enlisted for
the war, testifying their determination to
fight until their liberties were achieved
Coupled with and contributing greatly to
this enthusiastic ard6r, was the lofty cour1
age, the indomitable resolve, the self-deDy-
ing spirit of our noble women, who, by their
labors of love, their patience Of hope, their
unfinching coustancy, their accomplishing
submission to privations of The war, have
shed an immortal lustre upon their sex and
country. a-s sHr= ~
Our army is no hireling soldiery. It
comes not from paupers, criminals or emf
grants. 1t was originally raised by the
free, uneonstrained, unpurchaseable assent
of the men. All vocations and classes con-
tributed to the swelling numbers. Abandon
ing luxuries and comforts to which they
had been accustomed, they submitted cheer
fully to the scauty fare and exactive SER
vice of the camps. Their services above
price, the only remuneration they have
sought is the protection Of their altars, fire.
sides and liberty. In the Norwegian wars,
the actors were, every one Of them, named
and patronymically described as the Kings
friend and companion. The same wonder.
full individuality has been seen in this war.
Our soldiers are not consolidated mass
an unthinking machine-but an army of
intelligent units. To designate all who
have distinguished themselves by special
valor, would be to enumerate nearly all in
army. The generous rivalry between the
troops from different States has prevented
any special pre.eminence, and hereafter,
for centuries to come, the gallant bearing
and unconquerable devotion Of Confederate
soldiers will inspire the hearts, and encour-
age 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 discon-
tented persons to excite hostility to the Gov
ernment. Recentssnd public as have been
the occurrences, it is strange that misap-
prehension exists as to the conduct of the
two Governments in reference to peace
Auusion has been made to the unsuccess-
full efforts, when separation took place, to
procure an amicable adjustment of all mat
tiers in dispute. These attempts at negoti-
alton do not comprise all that has been
done. In every form in which expression
could be given to the sentiment-in public
meetings, through the press, by legislative
resolyes-the desires of this people fol
peace-for the uninterrupted enjoyment Of
their rights and prosperity-has been made
known The President, more authorita
tireiy, in several of his messages, while pro
testing the utter absence of all desire to in.
terfere with the United States, or acquire
any of their territory, bas avowed that the
"advent of peace will be hailed with joy
Our efforts to avoid the war, forced on u
as it was by the lust of conquest and the
insane passions of our foes, are known t.
, maukiy4d."
The course of the Federal Governmen
has proved that it did not desire peace, ant
: would not consent to it on any terms tina
a we could possibly concede. In proof o
. this, we refer to the repeated rejection o
:. all terms of Cancellation and compromise
= to their recent contemptuous refusal to re
ceive the. Vice President, who was sent
negotiate for softening the asperities Of tn
war, and their sCornful rejection of the Of
6 fer Of a neutral power to mediate betwee
. the contending parties. If cumulative ev
dencc be needed, it can be found in the TO
;. lowing resolution, recently adopted by tn
~ IN Wocbirnt0n