The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1864-03-15


resolu,e exertion, we can do to avert sub
juga,ion and s'svery-snd we cannot fail
TO discern in our deliyerance from so
msny and s" grea; perils. the inlerposi,ion
Of that Being who will not forsake us in
the TRIALS that are to come. Let us, then
looking, upon the bodies of our loved and
h"nored dead, catch inspiration from their
example. and gather renew ed confidence
and firm-r resoive to tread, with unfa,.
terl"g uust, the path ,ha, leads to honor
au,i to peace, though it leads through
tears aud suffering and blood.
We hav- II" altern tive but to do our
duty. w. combat for property, homes,
the honor Of our wives, the iuture Of our
children, the preser, alton Of our fair land
from PolSti"n, and to avert a doom
which we Can read both in the threats of
our enemies and the .crs Of oppression.
We have alluded to in this address.
The situation is grave, but furnishes no
just excuse for dependence. Instead Of
harsh criticisms ON the Government and
our. Generals instead Of hewaiiiug the
failure to accomplish impossibili,ies, we
should rather he grateful. humbly and
profoundly. to bengnant Providence
for the results that have rewarded our
lsbors Remembering The disproportien
in population, in military and naval re-
sources and the deficiency ofskllled labor,
in the South. our accomplishments have
surpassed those rsc"ded Of any people
in the world There is no jus, reason for
h"pelessness or fear. Since the outbreak
Of the war, tho Sontl, has !osl the nomi
nal possession OF the Mississippi river and
fragments Of her territory, but Federal
occupancy is not conquest. The fires Of
patriotism still burn uuquenchahly in the.
hrsssts of those Who are subject To for
eign aomi alton. W. yet hxve ia our
uninterrupted control territory which,
according t" past progress, will require
the enemy ten yeas 10 overrun.
The epeny is not free from difficulties.
With All enormous debt. the 6nancial
con'ulsion. long p,sDpoped, is surely com.
ing. The short crops 10 the United
Siates, and abundant harvests in Europe,
will hs-tcn what WAS otherwise in-vits.
bic. Man, sagari"us persons n, ITO
Nor:h, discover in III. usurpations Of their
Government. the certain otherthrow of
their liberties. A large number revolt
from the unjus, war waged upoa the
South, and would gladly bring il to an
end. OTHERS look With alarm on the com
pleis subvsrsion Of constitutional freedom
by Abraham Lincoln and feel in their
own persons the bitterness Of the slavery
which three wears Of war have failed TO
iutl:ct on the South. Brave and earnest
men al the North have spoken gu: against
the usurpa,ion and crueIlies daily prac
liced. The success Of these men over the
radical and despo,ic, faction which now
rules the North. rnay open the way to
peaceful negotiation. and cessation OF
this bloody aud unnecessary war.
ln conslu,,on. we exhort our fellow ci,
,zens to be Of good cheer and spare no
labor, nor sacrifices that maybe necessa
~ to enabie us to win the campaign upon
which we have jus, entered. We have
passed through gres, trials Of sfl, l,c:on,
but suffering and humiliation are the
scRoolmastsrs that lead nations to self
reliance AMI Independence. These dis.
ciplinsry providences. but mature and
soiidify oar people. We beg that the
supplies and resources OF the couniry,
which are ample, may he sold to the
Governmen, to support and equip ns 81.
mics. Ls, all spiri. Of faction and past
party difference. TO forgotten in the pres
encs Of our cruel foe. We should no,
despond. We should he self DENYING.
We should labor 10 extend TO the ul,nos,
the productive RESOURCES OF the country
We should economizs The families ol
soldiers should be cared tor and l,beraily
supplied. We -ntrss, from all 4 gener.
Gus and hearty co operation with the
Government in all branches Of its admin
isua,ion, in tie performance Of their
duty.
Moral aid ha. the "power OF the incom
mu"ic~bIe," and, BY united efforts, by an
all comprehending and self sacrificing pa
riotism. we can, with the blessing Of God,
avert the perils which environ US, aod
acbievs for our.eIvs. and children peace
and freedom. Hitherto. the Lord has