The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-01-12

pirafioh of their t,me
"a The Confederate Congress has passed a
law requiring those persons who have substitutes
in the army, to go into the service themselves
ALSO prohibiting the putting any more substitutes
in the army. In consequence of these measures,
there is good deal of grumblipg on the part of
those interested, as we'll as on the part of those
who are always ready to 6nd fault with any mea-
sure adopted for prosecuting the war. Some
newspapers, ever since the passage of the first
conscrpt law, have endeavored to array public
opinion against those who have substitutes 10 the
| army, and also against the Government for ALLOW
ing substitutes; but those very identical papers
are now abusing Congress for passing the law con-
scripting those who have substitutes. To find
fault they are determined upon, no matter what
sort of measures are adopted. 1t seems to US that
they willing to risk the overthrow of cause
aud see US all subjugated for the sake of crafty
ing their malice and spleen against President
Davis and others in authority
We have never advocated the conscrption of
those who had furnished substitutes; neither have
tried to array public feeling against that class
Of persons. But not at all disposed to
abuse Congress and denounce the Government
because the principals Of substitutes are re-
quired to take the field and help save their homes
from the ravages of a brutal enemy. When the
conscription bill was first passed. those who had
plenty of money employed substitutes, while those
who did not have money to spare had to go in
person. Can any conscientiously say that this
distinction between the two classes should longer
be continued, when all are equally interested in
the issue? If we gain our independence, all must
be willing to suffer personal Inconvenience and
make sacrifices.
THE NEW GOVERNOR OF YIRoINIA.--Geu
Wm Smith, the newly elected Governor of Virgi-
nia was installed at Richmond the lst instant.
He delivered an Inaugural Address, from which
We make short extracts.
After aluding to the causes which forced the
Southern States to secede, Gov. Smith said
at is Of the greatest moment that our minds
should be trained to allow that the entire manhood
anG property Of the country, for the purpose of
this war, belongs to the State. The men who are
called into the field to join in battle with our ene-
mics, the taxes which are levied and the assess
menfs which made for tl.eir support are but
modes of appropriating the resources of the coun,
try and should neither excite murmurs ner dis
conteut. The man who by tricks, evasons or sub
tertuges seeks to avoid the taxes intended TO be
collected from him, is in heart both knave and
traitor. 1t is the duty of the law-muker to pro-
vide the amplest punishment for such malefac-
tions, aud OF every good cirizen to bring them to
justice, and to hold them up to scorn aud con-
tempt. And what should be thought of those who
ohOnt f,r
pressed to feed and clothe the army-that army
which stands between them and ruin-that army,
composed as it is Of their sons and of their
own klth aud kin, and which may be disbanded
for want of the necessary supplies, while they are
higgling with the Government agents for higher
prices than those established by the Commission
ers, chosen equally BY the State and Confederate
authorities. * * The country must not be
ruined by the rapacty of the people, and the Gov
ernmeut will not hesitate, | sure, to exercise
all their constitutional powers when necessary for
our safety"
The Governor then goes on to advocate plan
for fixing the price of all PRODUCTIONS of human
industry. He opposes the-aucion system, as now
conducted and says it is prcudical to good morals
and to the country-it is an unmitigated evil
The following is the closing paragraph of the
Address
"Virsinia entered into this war with reluctance;
but, having entered into it from of duty,
she does not mean to sheathe her sword until she
has won her liberty and independence, the
bones of her last shall lie bleaching her hill
tops Although hundreds of thousands of her
people have been overrun by the enemy, their
fields dcsoated, their homes utterly consumed, in
many cases, by fire; their stock devoured destroy
ed, or carried away; their slaves enticed from hes
possession, while the blood of their loved ones
moisten every battle field; yet, they are uncon-
auered, bright, bold and. defiant; they are still
pre- pared to suffer. We cannot believe that
good God will allow such just cause ours to be
lost Much as we have done, much remains to be !:
done. Let resolve to make every sacrifice in a
cheerful aud hopeful spirlt-in short, perform
whole duty, and then, with the blessings of Hsav-
en-, we cannot be subdued. -
DISEASE AMONG THE PRIsoNEEs The Dam
vile Register says the small pax continues to
spread among the Ya"kee prisoners there, and
there are now about 800 in all. The virus
furnished by their own Government having been
l.. Il