The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-07-26


MAGIsTRATEs.-It is said that the new secret So
cety known the Heroes of America exists in
several localities in this State. This secret eombi-
nation is designed for any good to the Confed-
crate cause-in fact, those who have renounced il
famone them two Ministers Of the Gospel) testify
that if is reasonable and dangerous. In view of
these revelations, it is the duty of in each
neighborhood to ferret out the persons who have
Joined the society and if they do not renounce it,
to expose them dangerous characters. It is GER
tainly the duty of the Militia and Home Guard Off
GERS and Magistrates attend to this matter Thew
are exempted on the ground that their services are
necessary at home in preserving the peace and ex-
ecuting the laws. Some few of these officers have
worked hard and done great deal for the cause
whilst the large majority have done nothing and have
not been disposed TO do anything. But the present
affords an opportunity for them to exercise their
authority and break up secret combinations mimi
cal to the Government and injurious to the common
cause. Some persons, doubt. have joined this
tory society through ignoran ce-others have Joined
with evil intentions. The former should be dealt
lightly with if they renounce it promptly-but the
latter should be punished 1t has been ascertained
that deserters members of the society, which
fact alone should deter any decent true from
having anything to do with it.
The Fayetteville Observer remarks on this sub
ject as follows:
1--WE entirely agree with the Raleigh Confederate
that the public has right to expect from the ten
Judges of the Supreme and Superior Courts, and
the army of Justices Of the Peace, who exempt
ed from CONSUMPTION for just such purposes, that
they will every effort t" probe to the bottom the
criminal conspiracy which it is proven exists in
rious parts of this State, land doubtless in others
also) the object of which. disguised under pre-
tence of protection to individual property and per-
is TO subvert the government of the C0nfede-
rate States. and bring those States into suhjecion
to tue deestabe yankee abolitionsts 'AlI of these
Judicial officers (says the Confederate) have be-
Come. their assumption of the office, .'cnnServa-
tors of the peace"-the meaning whereof is. that
they are the preServers of public order and peace:
to commit all breakers of it, or bind them in recog-
nzances Ia keep it, Besides the duty, therefore, !
of every citizen to to it that his country be not
betrayed such is especially the duty of these
magistrates And yet have not heard of the first
movement by any of them to ferret out this
true that of them have done their duty in that
regard, but if so have not heard oft Gov. |
Vance. think has been earnestly engaged in the
effort. but he should BE- aided by the Judges and
j ustlces who can accomplish the object much more
efectually. Rouse up. ye Magistrates! exert your
selves to save your country, its liberties and the !
property and lives and honor of its people. Lose
not a moment about it. We think that an earnest |
effort would be met by voluntary disclosures from
many of the deuded members of the association, |
who cannot have failed to see, upon reflection that
it is full of mis- chief and i'll the highest degree I'M
patriotic aud diShonorable"