The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-01-19
WORDS OF WIsDoM.-A correspondent IA sol
dier) writing from Gen. Lees army to the Raleigh

WORDS OF WISDOM.-A correspondent Ia SOL
dier) writing from Gen. Lees army to the Raleigh
Progress, says: 49,
We look for active and stirring times soon
as spring opens. There is no prospect of termi-
nation of the at an early day, and mindsare
made up that more battles. will have to be fought,
more priVat.ons are to be encountered. and more
suffering and bloodshed to be endured. The faint
hearted everywhere have almost despaired of our
final success but thank God, the fires of hope and
faith yet burn brightly in the hearts of thousands in
and out of the army, who determined never to
give up the struggle till their sufferings privatons
and trials rewarded by ultimate victory. We
are sorry to see that the is in such q manner
becoming unpopular among certain classes but all
long proverbialy unpopular. 'Iis true
there is much to depress even the most patriotic
and determined when party strife and party issues
have divided people who should act as brother
hood co-laboring in patriotic, righteous and holy
cause, and when we the enthusiasm and unity
of purpose that marked the first outbreak of the
revolution succeeded by apathy, and eager thirst
for gain which seems now to have seized every one,
and is fast making nation of SPECTATORS extor-
TONERS and money holders. But it is hoped and
believed there is life in lie old land vet - With
all at stake and subjugation and slavery staring
in the face, these selfish pursuits and party is
surely but momentary, and will be dropped
and abandoned in view of the mighty issue involved.
Patriotism is not dead; and the selfsacriicing de-
voton exhibited by those who are unstintngly CIV
ing their all to the will soon shame the ambi-
tious and selfish 10 proper course of action, and
all will yet be we'll
LET the faint hearted take courage We have
not yet reached the extremties to which our fore
fathers were forced in the dark hours of the INST
revolution. They, too, had their hours of despond-
ency and gloom. Even in the winter Of 1881, just
before the dawn of peace Illuminated the land their
prospects gloomy indeed. and in many in-
stances affords a striking parallel of our present
condition. The historian tells that ''harveat had
been abundant. Plenty reigned in the land but
want in the camp and the cabins of the poor. They
endured distress which patriotism feels indignant
and humanity weeps. Selfshness had succeeded
patriotism astude enthusiasm in the breasts of the
people, and Congress exerted its powers with too
little vigor to drew forth the of the
try" Yet they triumphant in the end, and
will we be- if only true to our country
and as determined to- be free they were.
lit will be gratifying to the friends of the soldiers
at home to know that they never better
comfortably clotbsd than at present. Especi-
ally is this so amongst North Carolnans and it is
solely to be attributed suppose to the foresight of
able State authorities. Enough of even blank
cts and shoes are to be had this winter and all are
more less provided for This happy state of
things is quite in contrast to the predicapcnt we
were in last wieter, when the frosts and SHOWS Of
d-winter found many without blankets and Shoes
and even change of ordinary wearing apparel.
The beneficial results of this provision already
apparent. There rs less suffering and little no
sickness amongst the men. and the list of mortality
will fall far below the average for this of the
year,