Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-02-19
Jeff Davis to His Soldiers.
GOOD RHETORIC AND. GOOD PLUCK

sued the following address to his soldiers,
in acknowledgment of their reNenlisting
to escape the universal CONSUMPTION. II
is the boldest of the documents prepared
by the rebel chief during the war, and
betrays no symptom of flinching or fear,
unless they may be discovered in the very
excess of his professions Of confidence.
1t contrasts in this respect very decisively
with the common talk 10 the rebel con-
gress and newspapers and with the re-
ports brought by deserters and refugees.
Nevertheless the only safe course on our
part is to take Davis assertions for truth,
and prepare to meet the utmost strength
and fury of the rebellion in the opening
campaign. Davis address, it must be
confessed, is rhetorical success -
Soldiers of the Armies of the Confed-
crate States: In the long and bloody
war in which your country is engaged
you have achieved many noble triumphs.
You have won glorious victories over
vastly more numerous hosts. You have
cheerfully borne privations and toll to
which you were unused. You have read
lily submitted to restraints upon your in
dvidual will, that the citizen might better
perform his duty to the state as a soldier.
TO all these you have lately added anoth-
err triumph-the noblest of human con-
quests-a victory over yourselves. As
the time drew near when you who first
entered the service might well have been
expected to claim relief from your ardu
Gus labors and restoration to the endear-
ments Of home, you have needed only
the call of your suffering country. Again
you come to tender your service for the
public defense-a free Offering, which
only such patriotism us yours could make
"a triumph worthy of you and the cause
to which you are devoted.
would in vain attempt adequately TO
express the emotions with which | re-
ceived the testimonials of confidence and
regard which you have recently address
ed to me. To some of those first receiv-
ed separate Acknowledgements were re-
turned but it is now apparent that like
generous enthusiasm pervades the whole
army, and that the only exception to
such magnanimous tender will be those
who, having originally entered for the
war, cannot display anew their zeal 10
the public service. 1t is therefore deem
ed appropriate, and it is hoped will be
equally acceptable, to make a general
acknowledgment, instead of successive
special responses. Would that it were
possible to render my thanks to you in
person, and in the name of our common
country, as well as in my own, while
pressing the hand of each war worn vet
eran, to recognize his title to our love,
gratitude and admiration.
Soldiers-By your will-for you and
the people are but one-I have been pla.
ced in position which debars me from
sharing your dangers, your suf'erings and
your priyations in the field. With pride
and affection my heart has accompanied
you in every march with solicitude il
has soug ht to minister to your every want;
with exultation it has marked your every
heroic achievement; yet never in the
toilsome march, nor in The weary watch,
nor in the desperate assault have you
rendered service SO decisive in result,
as in the last display of the highest quail
tiles Of devotion and self-sacrifice which
Sah "uoiu INC SHalaClGI VI tue warrior
patriot. Already the pulse of the whole
people beats in unison with yours al
ready they compare your spontaneous and
unanimous offer of your lives for the de-
tense of your country with the halting
and reluctant service of the mercenaries
who are purchased by the enemy at the
price of higher bounties than have hilh-
erto been known in war. Animated by
this contrast, they exhibit cheerful conf.
dence and more resolute bearing. Even
the murmurs of the weak and timid, who
shrink from the trials which make stron-
ger and frmer your noble natures, are
shamed into silence by the spectacle you
present. Your brave battle cry will ring
loud and clear through the land of the
enemy as well as our own, will silence
the vain-glorious boastings of their cor
rupt partisans and their pensioned press,
and will do justice to the calumny by
which they seek to persuade a deluded
people that you are ready to purchase a
dishonorable safety by degrading submis-
sion.
SoIdiers-The coming spring cam
paign will open under auspices well cal>
culated to sustain your hopes. Your
resolution needed nothing to iortify it,
With ranks replenished under the infu-