The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-03-11
THE FATHER OR THE BROTHER WHO
HARBORS OR ENCOURAGES A
DESERTER TO Be SHOT.
Union men not to be believed
on oath when the South
is independent.
Union Men to be Hustled -
from the Polls.
THE PEOPLE CALLED UPON TO ARREST
AND SHOOT DESERTERS.
Blythe GOVERNOR OF NoRTH-CARoLINA,
> A PROCLAMATION.

Blythe GOVERNOR OF NORTH-CAROLINA,
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, I HAVE LEARNED WITH
w great pain that there have been lately nu.
merous assertions from the ranks ofour gallant
country who incite and encourage these deser-
tions and harbor and conceal these misguided
men at home, instead of encouraging them to
return to duty:
Now therefore, 1 ZEBULON B. VANCE, Gov
ernor of the State of North Carolina, do issue
this my proclamation, commanding all such evil
disposed persons to desst from such base, cow
ardly and reasonable conduct, and warning them
that they will subject themselves to Indictment
and punishment in the civil courts of the Con-
federacy, as well as to the everlasting contempt
and detestation of all good and honorable men,
Certainly no crime could be greater, no cow
ardice more AFFECT, no treason more base, than
for citizen of the State, enjoying its privileges
and protection without sharing its dangers, to
persuade those who have had the courage to go
forth in defence of their country, vley to desert
the colors which they have sworn to uphold,
when miserable death or vile and ignomini-
Gus existence must be the inevitable consequent
ces No plea can excuse it. The father or the
brother who does it should be shot instead of bis
deludcd victim, for he deliberately destroys the
soul and manhood of his own flesh and blood.
And the same is done by him who harbors and
conceals the deserer. For who can respect
either the one or the other? What honest man
will ever wish or permit his own brave sons or
patriotic daughters, who bore their parts with
credit in this great struggle for independence to
associate even to the third and fouth generations,
with the vile wretch who skulked in the woods
or the still yiler coward who aided him, while his
bleeding country was calling in vain for his help?
Both arr enemies-7dangerons en- mics to their
country, before wh4m our open floss will be In
dnitels preferred. Both are foes to their own
kindred and noble countrymen who are eectri-
fying the world by their gallant deeds, and pour
ing out their blood upon the field of battle to
protect those very men who are sapping the Vi
tails of our strength. And woe unto you, deser
tiers, and your aiders and abettOrs, when peace
being made and independence secured, these
DraNc - iit'S uSscitSo III thS
hour of their trial shall return honorcd and tri-
umphant to their homes! Ye that hide your
guilty faces by day, and prowl like outlaws about
by night, robbng the wives and mothers of your
noble defenders of thei little means, while they
are far away facing the enemy, do you think We
can escape just and damning vengeance when
the day of reckoning comes! And We that shelter,
conceal, and feed these miserable depredators
and stimulate them to their deeds, think you
that We will be spared? Nay ! rest assured, OBJ
serving and never failing eyes have marked you,
every one And when the overjoyed wife well
comes once more her brave and honored hus-
band to his home, and tells him how in the long
wears of bic absence. in thu lonely hours of the
night, We who had been his comrades rudely en-
tered her house. robbed her and her children of
their bread, and heapcd insults and indgnitics
upon her deenceless head, the wrath of that he
role husband will make you regret in the bitter
ness of your cowardly terror that you were ever
born. Instead of a few scattered militia the
land will be full of veteran soldiers before whose
honest faces you will not have courage to raise
your eyes from the earth. Ifpernitted tolive in
the State at all, you will be Infamous. You will
be hustled from the polls, insulted in the streets,
a jury of your countrymen will not believe You
on oath, and honest men everywhere will shun
you as pestience; for lie who lacks courage
and patriotism can have no other good quality
or redeeming vir'ue. Though many OF you re-
jected the pardon heretofore offered you, and
am now not authorized to promise it, yet l am
assured that no man will be shot who shall vol.
UNFAIRLY return to duty. This is the only chance
to redeem yourselves from the disgrace and ig-
nominy which you are mourning.
Again our troops have met the enemy and q
great and glorious victory has been won. But sew
craI thousand of on soldiers ell ii achieving it
for us. Every man is needed to replace the gal
liant dead, and preserve an unbroken front to gu
still powerful enemy. Unless desertion is pre-
vented our strength must depart from our ar
mics, and desertion can never be stopped while
either through false and mistaken sympathy or
downright disloyalty, they receive any countc.
nance or protection at home. Il therefore appeal
to all good citizens and true patriots in the State
to assist my officers in arresting deserters, and
to frown down all those who aid and assist them
Place the brand upon them and make them fee
the scorn and contempt OF an outraged people
Unless the good and patriotic all over tho, land
arise as one man to arrest this dangerous evil, i
may grow until our army is well nigh ruined
The danger of starvation having happily passed
away-the approaching and apparently bounte
Gus harvest giving evidence OF ample supplies 70
the coming year-our great army in Virgins
again jubilant over mighty yictory-I am wei
assured that our danger now lies n the dsorgan
izaticn produced by desertion. You can arres
it, my conntrymen, if you will but make Wig
orous effort, if you will but bring to bear tn
weight ola great, patriotic and unified commu
nifty in aid Of your authorities. ,s,..
i--l In witness whereof. ZEBULoN B. VANCE
L. S. Governor, Captain General and Con
- mander-in Chief, hath signed these pre-
ents and caused the great seal of the State to b
affixed. R a1nua
Done at the City of Raleigh, this 18th day
May, A. D., 1868. ZB. VANCE.