The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-04-05
LETTER FROM GEN. CLINGMAN.
From the Raleigh Confederate.
CAMP NEAR PETERSBURG, VA,
March 25th. 1864.

| March 18th, 1864.
| GENTLEMEN Il have been informed that an
impression is sought to be made in certain quarters,
that another candidate will be brought out for the
Office of Governor in North Carolina at future
day. and nv name has been spoken of among 9TH
ers It may be proper therefore for me to say,
that as long the war continues, while able to do
military duty, do not intend to leave the field for
apy civil station. Regarding Governor Vance's
public position as right on the great issue before
the country, think he ought to be cordially sup
ported by all who are in favor of vigorous prose-
cuton of the war now being waged, not only for
independence, but for every thing of value to us
community and as individuals
The State of North Carolina, by an unanimous
vote of her Convention, seeded and united her
fortune with those of the Confederate States. This
action met the universal appreciation of her citi-
at the time, no lifting his voice against It,
No public man in the State can therefore, without
personal dishonor, aud without couering himseLf
aoith the deepest fynominy, advocate the abandon
ment Of the cause of the Confederate States and
desert our brave soldiers who have gone into the
field to maintain that cause.
Our reasons for continuing the thou
sand fold stronger than they were for embarking
in it originally. The State seeded because Of ap-
prehensop that our rights might be invaded, and
because Lincoln, by proclamation called tor few
hundred men to assist him in his war against the
Gulf States. Now in such portions Of our State
as his armies occupy, he forces into his ranks by
CONSUMPTION, every man, white and black. Not
only does he arm the slaves against US, but his
Government has, by series of acts of Congress,
confscated for its use, all property, both real
and personal. Should We be subjugatcd and our
personal property seized, and our lands divided
among his soldiers, both black and white, our en-
tire population. men, women and children, must
either perish from starvation, become the slaves
of our conquerors, and labor for subsistence on
such terms as they might grant. Yankee masters
always notorious for avarice and cruelty, bot
the atrocities which they have committed within
the last three years have caused humanity to stand
aghast with horror. He whom they have selected
to carry on the against us, by the universal
reclamation Of European well as American CIV
ilizatiop, has been denominated /" The Brute"
And yet if he be not fair type of our enemies,
why it that he not only received ovations in
the Northern Cities but by deliberate vote Of
the Congress of the Lincoln government he was
declared worthy to acedr the s,Oord he had stolen.
These acts as well as his retention of high COM
mand, show him to be the fitting representative OF
those who control the action Of our enemies. L
know of no variety of the human race whom we
ought not to prefer as masters to the yankees,
whose leading traits avarce and hypocrisy; for
to the dupHcity and cunning of the fox, they add
the rapacity of the wolf and the venom of the
serpent. To protect us from such enemies, to save
our women from becoming cooks and house SER
wants, have nothing to rely on but the favor of
God and the valor of our armies. If those armies
be properly sustained by the country and wisely
directed y our government, they will in the end
give us independence, peace, safety and honor.
Unless these are obtained, l hold that the war
should continue as long as there is one brave man
surviving and one true Southern woman left to
fight for.
Very respectfully, yours, &c,
r. i CLINGMAN.