The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-05-31

nation was to shut out all hope that he would euer
treat with US on any terms. IF we will break up
our government, dissolve the Confederacy disband
our armies, emancpate our slaves, take an oath OF
allegiance, binding ourselves to obedience to him
and of disoyalty to our own States, he proposes to
pardon us and not to plumber of anything more
than the property already stolen from U.S. and such
slaves still remain. In order to render his pro-
posas sc insulting as to secure their rejection, he
joins to them promise to support with his army
one-tenth of the people of any State who will at
sempt to set up government over the other nine
tenths, thus seeking to sow discord and suspicion
among the people of the several States, and to ex-
cite them to civil war in furtherance of his ends.
L know we'll it would be impossible to get your
people, if they possessed full knowledge of these
facts, to consent that proposals should now be
made by us to those who control the government
at Washington. Your own we'll known devotion
to the great cause of liberty and independence, to
| which We have all committed whatever we have of
earthly possessions, would induce you to take the
lead in repelling the bare thought of abject SUBJ
mission to the enemy Yet peace on other terms
| is now impossible. To obtain the Sole terms to
which you or could listen, this struggle must
continue until the enemy is beaten out of his vain
confidence in our subjugation. Then, and not till
then, will it be possible to treat of peace. Till
then all tender of terms to the enemy will be re-
celyed as proof that We ready for submission,
and will encourage him in the atrocious warfare
in which he is Wal nE. -
fear much from the tenor of the news receive
from North Carolina, that an attempt will be made
by some bad men to inaugurate movements which
must be considered equivalent to aid and COM
fort to the enemy, and which all patriots should
combine to put down at any cost. You may count
on my aid in every effort to spare your State the
scenes of civil warfare, which will devastate its
homes if the designs of these traitors be suffered
to make head. | know that you will place your
self In your legitimate position in the lead of those
who will not suffer the name of the Old North
State to be blackened by such stain. Will you
pardon me for suggesting that my only source of
dsquietude on the subject arises from the fear
that you will delay too long the action which now
appears inevitable, and that by over earnest
desire to reclaim by Cancellation men whom you
believe to be sound at heart, but whose loyalty is
more than suspected elsewhere, you will permit
them to gather such strength as to require more
violent measures than are now needed! With
your influence and position the promoters of the
unfounded disconterts now prevalent in your
State, would be put down without the use of phys
ical force, if you would abandon policy of con-
ciliation aud set them at defiance. In this course,
frankly and firmly pursued, you would rally
around you all that is best and noblest in your
State, and your triumph would be bloodless. IF
the contrary policy be adopted, l much fear you
will be driven to the of force to repress trea
son. In either event, however, be assured THAI
you will have my cordial concurrence and assis-
lance in maintaining with you the honor, dignity
and fair of your State and in your efforts to
crush treason, whether incipient, as believe it
now to be, or more matured, as [ believe, if not
firmly met, it will in future inevitably become.
have the honor to be,
Very respectfully, yours,
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
His Excellency, q. B. VANCE, Governor of North
Carolina, Raleigh, N. G.