The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-02-14
40 Ga
gg8estern S9smoerat.
CHARLOTTE, N. C.
Tuesday, February II, 1868.

Of
with Lincoln and endeavor to obtain honorable
terms of peace. It will be that Lincoln de-
,oauds an unconditional submission to his authority
and the laws of the yankee Congress the part OF
the southern people; and it will also be that
our Commissioners not permitted to visit
Washington city or to even land at Fortress Mon
roe The conference took place on board of a
steamer in Hampton Roads. In requiring oynuln-
conditional submission, Lincoln requires to sub
NIT to the Proclamatons he has issued, to the laws
ofthe yankee Congress abolishing slavery. oonfs-
eating our property, and depriving of rights
as free white men.
We hear great many people say they are not
snrnrised at the result of this conference; but we
confess oursef surprised for did expect that the
enemy would propose sort of terms not entirely
d,honorable-we thought they would show
little disposition to conciliate We greatly dis
annointed and astonished, as doubt thousands of
others are in both sections of the country. 1t
natural to expect better results from the conference
inasrruch as the enemy had permitted Mr. Blair,
of their own men, to come to Richmond and invite
it. Under the circumstances, it is not strange that
any one should feel disappointed-but not discour
aged.
The only alternative left US is to submit fight
it out" According to present appearances, if we
submit lose all and, on the other hand, If we
continue the and fail to win, only lose
all. If the people of the Confederacy will remain
united and determined in purpose. and devote all
their energies to pushing forward the cause,
yet compel the enemy to make fair and honorable
terms. But cannot do this unless there is gen
cral reform in the conduct of the people generally
and the management of otficehoders especially.
We wish to talk plainly and candidly this subject,
and therefore say that unless twothirds of the Of
fceh"lders and employees at the various posts
throughout the Confederacy are dismissed and sent
to the army allowed to. go to their homes, we fear
the worst consequences. In saying this
not prompted by feelings of il-will towards
any individual oficeholdor, for large number of
those who are in Office only doing what many
others would do if they had chance, viz: filing
positions of practical benefit to the country
cause. We do not abuse the individual who fills
of these ofices-neither do we consider it dis
honorable in man to hold one of these offices-if
the present occupants were to resign, some one else
would jump into their paces-but we do condemn
the regulation law of the Government which
ates many Offices or permits them to exist. From
observation and information communicated to US, we
led to believe that the public business could be
transacted by one-third of the present number of
white men employed at the various posts. Economy,
as well as we'll as other considerations. demands
that the number of ofhceholders should be diminish
ed. And we would also remark that no one should
be permitted to hold Office unless he is citizen
Of the Conederacy and fully identified with its fate
for veal or woe. And, further, officer who is
not serving in the field should be permitted to keep
Il horse flor his own use) to be fed at Government
representatives, needed in the army and on
farms, and corn is in demand to feed the soldiers
and their families-and if officers keep horses at
their own individual expense they should be liable
TO impressment like the horses of other people.
In all cases where farmers pronounced unfit
for service in the field let them be permitted to
main on their farms and make something to eat for
the army and those who not farmers, instead of
keeping them on what is called Eight duty in some
city town VI village. And where it is not deemed
proper to send mechanics to the field let them re-
main at their shops to work for the families of sol
diers and the public generally, instead of detailing
them to work only for few government officials
and their favorltes.
Let these reforms be instituted speedily, and let
specializing bands be dispersed and broken up by
law, and the mass of people would be cheered
in their efforts to secure independence and finally
victory would perch upon our banners.
In pointing out what las we'll rs thousands of
our fellow -citizens} consider runous evils are
not prompted by fault finding, grumbling spirit;
for our readers know that have always tried. as
public journalist, to sustain the constituted au
thorities and encouraged the people to give them
aid and hearty support. The South is our native
land, and the fate of the Confederacy will be our
fate. Therefore claim to be doing nothing but
our duty in begging for that reform which public
sentiment demands.
We repeat what we have often said heretofore
The enemy can never subjugate US, but if we don't
look out will subjugate ourselves.
ah the present emergency let all act calmly
and deliberately, do duty good citizens strug
Cling for native land discountenance all efforts
propositions that tend to divide and distract our
people, and leave the issue with God.
CONFEDERATE TAXEs.-Co D. G.. Maxwell,
Tax Collector for this county. has furnished US a
table showing the amount of the Confederate tax
paid in Mecklenburg during the year 1864. The
Specific tax was SlO,5S0, tax on Sales s76,S60 81,
on Neat Cattle $775S So. Property and Credits
$l659 So on Profits above 25 per cent. S25,G2l co,
on 10 per cent additional tax S334O9 Oh. on 30 per
cent do. $6325 95, Advaiurem per cent tax
S295, 63o 90, on Salaries $500 95. Incomes
S2O2.906 90, Soldiers tax $50 O3--Total,
$7GI .694 rs.
KILLED.-On Friday last, Mr. A. Cunningham
Miller living five miles from this place. was killed