The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-06-07

est and reputation of our State and of your imme-
date constituents, whilst engaged In our vital
struggle for civil liberty and cheerfully assure you
of our cordial support if candidate for reelection
Respectfully yours, !. II. BREM,.
| A. G. WILLIAMSON.
RALEIGH, May "a, 1864.
IMessrs Bren,, De,cey and Williamson
GENTLEMEN-Your esteemed favor of the Goth
inst is received, add in conformity with your re-
| quest, l return you prompt answer.
| I have not changed the purpose expressed to
YOU and many other friends during the past win
ter, of not voluntarily presenting my name a
candidate for reelection to the Senate. Not that
the confidence reposed in me by my constituents
is not duly appreciated, but because | do sofully
appreciate the responsibilities resting upon those
entrusted with the direction Of public affairs in
these times of darkness and trial, together with
| considerations of a private character, determined
not to interpose any claims of my own, which
| might effect harmonious election of more COM
petent representative.
| beg you to be assured of my gratitude for the
kind expressions of confidence contained in your
note, we'll as the opinion given that my course,
as Senator of the county, meets the appreciation OF
| those who elected me. Such assurances are the
| richest reward that a constituency can give to a
public servant, who does not ask renewed de-
monstration of confidence by rcposing in him fur
Their public trusts, and who, in the thick gloom
which has hung like pail around our nobk old
State during the term of his service among her
legislators felt that to fater would be dangerous,
and to err might be fatal.
| The people of Mecklcnburg elected me their
Senator without requiring any public expression OF
opinion pledge Of any kind, and that too in view
of the fact that my political sentiments had always
| been at variance with theirs. With this carte
| blanche, l felt that they had confded to my judg-
ment, as of their representatives, to speak for
them in the decision of those important questions,
which, in time of war; constantly present themselves
to the legislator and which involve the interest,
the reputation, and possibly the very existence OF
our government a State organization. 1t is fully
understood among the people of Mecklenburg that
political heresies of the gravest character have
been fomented in the State during the last two
| years. which have brought stigma upon her fair
naHse, and which has required the exercise. OF all
the prudence, forbearance and judgment of those
| entrusted with the management of public affairs,
to prevent their obtaining influence in places
Of authority, thereby threatening the most serious
consequences. The vigilant public servant found
these dangers yelled beneath propositions making
large professions of public good and lurking be-
hind plausible measures, brought forward for leg
islation IT, under these difficulties, daily new and
trying, have been able to pursue course which,
being sustained by my own judgment, meets the
appreciation of my constituents, am fully reward
cd by its assurance
take the liberty to add, that the political dan
gers which have been peculiar to our State, have
neither been overcome or withdrawn. They were
conceived in the bosom of disappointed ambition,
and gathering around them the elements of disaf
lection which are to be found in every government
in times of war aud revolution, their prime movers
have obtained sufficient strength to essay, in the
spirit of desperation, to obtain political control of
the State. No appeal to the patriotism of the
people of our historic old county is necessary to
arouse them to throttle the pretcnder, whose gar
ments smell of treason, but It's not improper that
we should be reminded that the traitor conceals
his purpose the assassin does his dagger; there
fore, we should be doubly watchful lest our noble
soldiery, when they return from the fields OF VIC
tory, bearing with them the great prize of civil
liberty, won by such gallantry puts Grccian
heroism to the blush, may ind that we have been
unworthy guardians Of the escutcheon of their
native State.
Allow me in conclusion, gentlemen, to rejoice
with you and the people of Mecklenburg in the
tate successes of armies in front of capitol.
Some of US have sons, and all OF have relatives
and dear friends there. Many of them have given
their lives in a noble sacrifice for our liberty
their blood flows freely around the altar of their
country. While gratitude for merciful- deliver
ance from the-power of vengeful foe inspires our
hearts with joy, its expression is challenged by
the voice of mourning, coming up from the bleed
ing hearts of parents and the desoate home of the
widows in midst. The prize, which to us is
worth SO much, the cause which has cost such an
effuson of precious blood, must not be endangered
by trusting in the specious promises of the ambi-
tious, the pretensons of those whose patriotism
is not sustained by practical demonstrations of de-
votlon to our cause and our country.
With assurances of the highest personal regard,
I remain, gentlemen, very respectfully yours
JNO. A. YOUNG.
fLUx.-A disease resembling the fux, if not
that disease in fact is becoming somewhat prevail