The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-09-12
The DUrY OF THE HOUR.

The demoralIzfDg influence tine war are
everywhere apparent to the most casual observ-
err: All our population has passed through
"days that try mems souls" Many, who SEEM
ed firmly grounded in principles, have been mp
rooted; and many, who still stand fast in their
pride of station, yet bear the scars of lightning
Has there not been a lowering of the moral tone
of the community? Do we not feel that there
is some abatement in those generous and manly
virtues that once poured their full tide through
the Southern heart? This is the most painful
of all the evils we experience. Of the young
and brave who have perished-of the Hamp-
dens whose thoughts were of peace even in the
midst of conflicts, aud who cried, ssGod save the
bleeding eountry," while the last drops were
falling from their own warm hearts-the memo
ry is fragrant still. The fortunes that have been
dispersed may be gathered under calmer skies.
AS the scattered corn strikes root in the desert
ed blvouac, so war may leave blessings along its
track Of desolation that may ripen in these
strange and sudden days of peace. The won
drous providence that has put all our calcula-
tions at fault, making peace in day, may as
wondrously provide relief for the impoverished
whose homes aresdust and ashes now. But,
whatever compensation may be granted to suf-
fering, there is no promise to moral weakness
.here is DO resurrection for dead souls TO
spend the first days ct peace in eliminating
others, or maligning that superior wisdom by
which the world is controlled, is neither just
nor wise. 1t is not given to any OF us, we humb
ly confess, to explain, much less to correct, the
philosophy of history; nor is it allowed that we
should indulge in aimless persistent lamentation
over private or public losses. Our great bust
ness is, now to return to the long neglected walks
of industry, wherever this may be practicable,
and, in any event, to resume the practice Of our
ancestral virtues.-Augusta transcript.
NEWS ITEMS.
We learn from the Wing that Gen. Lee has
accepted the position of President of Washing
ton College, at Lexington. The venerable
school, and the pleasant and cultivated village
which IS its scat, will henceforward have an i'm
in the eye of the world which few 9TH
err events could have given them.
Bsg= In addition to the information hereto
fore given that the President had promptly an
nailed the instructions issued by the Freed
mems Bureau for retaining the lands Of South
erners who had been fully pardoned, it may also
be stated that the President, about. the same
time, ordered the Southern Methodist churches,
which had been in the hands Of Northern min
listers by military agency, to be restored to the
their ministerial duties in New Orleans, at
and elsewhere.
An effort will be made this winter to obtain
an appropriation from Congress to defray the
expenses Of deepening the channel uniting the
inland waters Of North Carolina with the ocean,
which, with the removal of a small bar in the
Neuse River, will enable the largest ocean stea-
ner to run to Newbern.
ILLNESS OF Mr.. DAvIs-A telegram from
Fortress Monroe dated August 81, says:
It is understood that jeff. Davis has at pre-
sent an attack of erysipeas, which is the second
one he has had. The first was very slight, but
this is more severe, though not serious. Mr.
Clay's health is improving.
A. H. STEpHENs-The President declines
to release Hon. A. II Stephens, but directs that
he shall be made as comfortable as circun-
stances will allow. Hon. Linton Stephens his
half brother has been permitted to visit him.
Judah P Benjamin is still in Havana. SO
says letter from that place, which also states
that the cx-rebel Generals Preston and Walker
left by the steamer Elder for England, intending
to 60 thence to Halifax Gov. Moore will re-
main in Cuba until his fate is determined 10
W ashington. Gen. Magruder is in the City Of
Mexico, ready to take employment, if he can
find it, Capt. Maury has found service with the
Emperor as superintendent of national obser-
vatory, which is to be established; and Major
Mordecai, as topogra phical and civil engineer,
will be associated for the present with Colonel
Talcott, in charge of an important branch of the
public railway service. Gen. f. Kirby Smith
still remains here.
MEx1co-We learn from private source
entitled to credit, that numbers of the officers
and soldiers of the late Confederate army are
arriving almost daily in the city of Mexico
that Macmillan receives them with every mark
of kindness, and that he is doing what he can
for their quiet settlement as planters and artzans
difficulty with the United States but is exerting
himself to restore order and quiet to Mexico and
to encourage industry and enterprise.
CONFIsCAT1oN IN TENNEssEE.-The Mem
phis Argus, of recent date, says:
awe are Informed by citizens of Haywood
county, Tennessee, that the United States Mar
shall has just libelled for confscation the whole
property, real and personal, of forty FIVE or fifty
gentlemen residing at or in the vicinity of
Brownsville. The Marshal, we understand, took
an inventory OF the personal property in each case
so as to hold the parties responsible for its safe
keeping and forthcoming on the day of trial
Some of the parties had taken the amnesty oath,
and all of them have been known as active partc-
ipants in the late war against the United States
Rar We learn that the Quakers have some
missivings about taking the amnesty oath, be-
cause it requires that they shall not only "fath-
fully support and protect the constitution of the
United States but that they shall defend it,"
We think we can assure them that the words
,.protect and defend" does not mean to defend