Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-07-27
For the Standard.
Citizen Soldiers !

Citizen Soldiers!
Will you lend listening ear to the timely warn
ing of one who feels for you-one who is Identified
with you-one who has done much to alleviate
your sutterings both in the camp and on the battle
ield-one who has not turned deaf ear to the
cries of your helpless wives and children at home
Citizen soldiers her me! Weare upon the evt
of an important crisis in the history of this bloody
war You have suffered and have been subjected
to the hardshps of soldier life for more than three
long years. For whatr For peace--yes for al
honorable peace You would scorn the proposer OF
dishonorable peace, but you want peace tina,
will secure the rights guaranteed to US by the blood
and treasure of our Revolutionary ancestors. How
shall we get it? By what instrumentalities cali
We arrive al such peace and its concomitant
blessings? 1t must be secured BY the soldiers il
the field and the statesman in the council chamber
by both together While our Revolutionary
ancestors were battling for peace in the field. the,
were also contending for it in the council chamber
Are those who have the cause of our bleeding
country in their hands pursuing the same COURSE
q course that resulted in peace and happiness t.
them and prosperity aud glory to their children,
They are rot. They will not until the Conserva
tives rebuke them at the ballot box. That is the
place for you to show your resentment and con
tempt fer their folly and wickedness.
You and have been told by those Destructive
leaders in this bloody strife that from the Presden,
! down to the boot black, they want peace. Where
is tho evidence? Where is the proof of their
declaration 1t is not to be found They falsifs
their word by their actions. They have actec
treacherously towards you, and hypocrtically to
wards themselves. That is the whole truth in
nutshell and if honorable men they would not deny
it. I will prove it. Hear me, Citizen Soldiers.
1t is to you that ana addressing myself 1t is to
you look for redress-ye the great correctors
Of public abuses at the ballot box.
| The Constitution We have adopted points out the
mode by which an honorable peace may be obtained
1t is the only mode known to civilized nations. 1t
| is negotiation Who has the right and into whose
hands is this important frost placed The Presi
dents and the Senates. We may fight till deems
day and mere fighting will not bring an honorable
peace. Negotiation is the only road to safety and
peace. You do not desire in this to degrade any
one or to be degraded You wish to do unto
others as ye would that they should do to you."
The President by and with the advice of the
Senate has the right to make treaties provided two
thirds of the Senators present concur. The Presi-
dent has the right to nominate and by and with the
advice of the Senate shall appoint ambassadors and
other public ministers and consuls. (Art H. Sec
| 3D. clause I'd of Oonsttution.) This has not been
done by the President and Senate, and how men
that not knaves fools utter the falsehood
that they are in favor of peace, is MARVEL won
derful thing. What, 10 tell the people you want
peaCe auu az tue saule I'Luo HcSeCt Lae only COn.
stitutiona method of obtaining it! 1t is not only
| an absurdity but an act of treachery towards you
who are periling your lives in the cause of peace
But say they Lincoln will not receive our an bas-
sadors-he will not entertain terms of peace other
than those of unconditional submission. How do
they know4 Have they made the trial? Suppose
Lincoln in his madness did refuse to entertain terms
of peace, does that excuse US from making the at
tempt? Surely not. Two wrongs never made a
right. Let US in Christian spirit come up to the
full measure of our duty both in the shock Of battle
and the hall of council, and if our enemies then
turn a deaf ear 10 the demand Of Justice and
the cries of suffering humanity, be the slaughter
of the slain the tears and woes Of the widow and
orphan upon their heads. God will then hear our
prayers in behalf of peace He will bind up the
broken hearted and wipe away the tears of the
grieEstricken and helpless wives and children of our
brave defenders.
Citizen soldiers behold the spectacle presented to
your mnds-the alternative offered you at the bal.
lot-box Two candidates protesting the same
principles and seeking your SURFACES for the Of
ice Of Governor. In the Counties similar scene
IS presented-two sets of men opposing each other
upon the same protested platform. How can you
account for it! How determine which are the best
conservatives? There is but one way to decide
sne matter satisfactorily to your consciences, in
JS ss 70 your country for which you have sac.
naS a. so much for liberty and Independent ce-
h;s;; hoerty OF thought, liberty of action a law
''N's people You must judge the candidates