The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1864-08-03


tive, was chosen Governor OF the State out
OF the army, at the same time with the
members of the Legislature, and without
opposition-commended, to the people by
bis gallantry On the field, and his bold and
uncompromising devotion to Southern in
dependence. At the same election, every
member who was in the last Congress, ex-
cept one. who did not desire reelection.
was chosen, by general ticket, to the
present Congress. mention these facts
to show the unanimity Of feeling that pre-
walls in Louisiana, and that it may be seen
that am justified in declaring these reso-
lutioas to express the sentiments of the
people OF the State.
Having said SO much Of the source Of
these resolutions. may be psrdoned few
words in explanation OF the real condition
OF the people Of my State, and the degree
and character of the sufferings to which
they have been subjected, and 10 which the
resolutions ailude only in general way.
When in January, 1861. Louisiana adopt
ed an ordinance Of Secession from the
United States. by an almost unanimous
vote Of her Convention. il was a surprise
10 most Of her sister States. Having with
in her borders the mouth of the Mississippi
river. with an export trade embracing one
half oil the exports Of the whole UnioH, and
growing import trade that caused the
great staple articles of the Southwest to
pay tribute to her commercial emporium
which in wealth and population far exceed
ed that OF any Other Southern city--with A
people descended from Spanish and French.
as well as English ancestry, whose customs
and traditions Of law and government, diff
iered IN many particulars trsm those Of the
other Southern States, she would have been
excusable, if. in the exuberance of her
prosperity, she had hesitated to commit
herself 20 a struggle in which. from her pc
culiar geographical position. her great ac-
cuhuation Of capital, and the diversity OF
her population, she was more exposed to
attack, than any other Of the Cotton States.
She didnot, however. hesitate aud all that
she had Of resources in wealth and popula-
tion. were at once placed at the disposition
OF The common cause.
Three years have since passed, filled to
her with terrible conflicts and widespread
destruction oil properly aud life. Her beau
tiful capitol, with its treasured archives,
has been,. by yandal foe. committed to
the flames. Her chief city, which sat like
queen at the mouth Of the Mississippi
river and gathered wealth from the trade
Of the West, now dgoOps like captive in
chains. The commerce that gave TO il life
has ceased. Its public offices have been
closed or filled BY race Of informers and
! spies. The judges .of The higher courts,
and many OF her noblest citizens. have been
driven into exile. Her churches are either
sentineled by armed men or ministered 10
BY strangers. A gulf and lake coast o.
four hundred miles in extent. indented
with bays once the seat OF beautiful sum
mer resorts. has been laid waste. Arrives
border Of six hundred and fifty miles on the
West, from Arkansas 10 the month OF The
mississippi, aud Of three hundred and flf'
~ miles on the East from the State line o.
Mississippi to the Gulf, before the war one
extended scene Of rich serdure andsmilins
opulenre, now lies entirely AT the mercy q
the enemy. A brigade Of gunboats OF pc
cukar construction, and filed with ligh
artillery and cavalry, licensed 10 plumber
and, supported by their spoils, by night ant
day steam up and down this region. send
ing out marauding bands to rob and plup
der miles into the interior.
When satisted with the waste of on'
, portion Of the river, or when opposed b.
troops. they change their location and 10
few hours are plunderiug at distance OF
the other side. For hupdreds OF mile
along the northern portioniDf this river Dor
der Of Louisiana, there remain not half !
dozen Of those inhabitants who lived ther,
before the war. They have died the vic
tins Of their misfortunes, or old and youni
have entered the military service, or, g.
II