The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-02-23
For lie Westera Democrat.


For t.e Western Democrat.
Mr.. EDITOR: Since writing my last article,
published IN your paper last week, / am delighted
to see that Congress has authorized the shspen-
sion of the habeas corpus. This is right and
hope authorities will not allow those escape
who have been sowing the seeds of treason and
diseord here in the South. Has not the Govern
ment the right and power to protect the loyal
portion of people. from the evil effects of the
teachings and operations of the disloyal? Ger
taiuly it has, and the suspension of the habeas
corpus will keep certain individuals from embar-
RAISING the government in its endeavors to defend
our homes and secure independence. This writ
was suspended last year with good effect 1t is
sary to suspend it occasionally in all wars and all
countries have been Obliged to do so in times of
public danger Good and true men, who really
desire the Confederate cause to triumph, ought
not to obect to the suspension, but it is expected
that the evil disposed will try to raise great hue
and cry against it, But mark what | say, those
who conduct themselves as true southrons npd
obey the laws Of their country, will suffer
any Inconvenience from the suspension. Only the
.disobedient and disturbers of the public peace
need be under apprehension Of arrest and punish
ment Thousands of men have evaded going into
the army by taking advantage of the habeas
pus and the aid of some lawyers and few Judges,
but it is to be hoped that these evasions will be
will be aided 10 the fight by many of those who
have managed heretofore to keep out. Will not
that be right, just and equitable? In order to do
this, and save cause from injury by the con-
duct and practices of the dsloyal and dissatisfied,
it is necessary to suspend the habeas corpus, which
Congress has authorized the President to do when
ever he may deem necessary.
A TRUE CONSERVATIVE
DIPLOMATIC MIss1oN.-A correspondent of
the Atlanta Register says:
Brigadier- General VIM. Preston whose troops
such distinction at Chckamauga, is safely on
his way to Mexico as Minister Plenpotentiary to
that court. He sailed early in January from q
Confederate port. He was Formerly Minister to
Spain under Buchanan. He is instructed to make
treaty with Maxmian, based upon the mutual
recognition of the two Governments, with CONNER
cal clauses, granting reciprocal privileges of trade
and commerce A recognition by Macmillan will
be tantamount to a recognition by France.
Capture ola Yankee Steamer and Brigndier
General.-The following is official dispatch
from Western Virginia:
DUBLIN, Va, Feb l5.-On the Sd inst, Major
Mourman with detachment of forty men of the
10th Virginia cavalry captured the armed steamer
i Lera. at Winfreela, Putnam county, Virginia,
with valuable cargo and twenty-nipe prisoners
including Brig Gen Sceammon, commanding forces
in kanawha Valley, captain, two lieutenants of
his staff. Gen Sceammon and two officers of his
staff here now, and will be forwarded to Rich
mond tomorrow, unless you order otherwise, in
charge of Lieut. Ventigan, the gallant young eff
Ger who boarded the boat with only twelve men,
Col Ferguson, whom l sent with his regiment, the
10th Virginia cavalry, to the Lower Kanawha
some weeks since, has made several captures and
rendered valuable service:
SAMUEL JONES, Maj Gen.
A New ALABAMA-We have information which
leads to believe that another swift heeled steam
err, armed and equipped for her peculiar vocation,
has made her escape from British clutches and
is by this time playing havoc among Yankee mer-
chantmen She is said to be under the command
of Capt North, with Capt Hamilton, of this State,
Familiarity known Jack Hamilton as First Lieu.
tenant. A more gallant brace of spirits is no,
afoat than North and Hamilton, and if they have
craft worthy of them, we doubt not that ere long
we shall hear New York, Gideon Welles, and his
horsemarine- navy bowling with new rage at the
exploits of "another Southern pirate - Columbia
<CdTolinian.
A PEACH BLossoM.-A friend informs us that
ne found an open peach BOSOM on one of his trees
on Rockfsh on Sunday the 14th, with a number
of others nearly ready to burst This is very early
for blossoms; but fortunately there has come cold
spell, which we trust will keep them back.-Fav.
Observer.
To guard against the destruction by frosts of
this desirable fruit crop, very sipple remedy has
been suggested, which is well worth trying A
tub of water placed under fruit tree while in full
bloom will prevent frost from injuring the BIOS
w