Year: 1862

address to the People Of GearRHa--


The Last Hours OF the Rebel Pro-


visiOnaI Government--AQ Quartetes


OF Traitors speak-GeOFEia ssIIlus-


tratsd"-CompIlmen to Federal


Enersy-An Aggressive War Policy


Recommended.


FELLeH-CITIZENs I'm a few days the
Provisional Government of the Confederate
States win live only in history. With it
we shall deliver up the trust we have en-
deavored to use for your benefit, to those
more directly selected by yourselves. The
public record Of our acts is familiar 70 you,
and requires no further explanation at our
hands. Of those matters which policy has
required to be secret, it would be improper
now TO speak. This address, therefore, will
have no personal reference. We are well
assured that there exists no necessity for US
TO arouse your patriotism, nor to inspire
your confidence. We rejoice with you in
the unanimity of our State, in its resolu-
tion and its hopes. And we Rre proud with
you that Georgia has been "ilIustrated," /"
and we doubt not will be illustrated again
by her sons in her holy struggle.


The first campaign is over; each party
rests in place, while the winters snow de-
clares an armistice from on high. The re-
suits in the field are familiar to you, and
we will not recount them. To some i'm
portant facts We call your attention.


First-The moderation of our own Gov
ernment and the fanatical madness of our
enemies have dispersed all differences of
opinion among our people, and united them
forever in the war of independence In q
few border States a waning opposition is
A.
developing facts. The worlds history does
not give a parallel instance of revolution
based upon such unanimity among the peo-
pie.


Second-Our enemy has exhibited an
energy, perseverance and an amount of re-
sources which We had hardly expected, a1d
a disregard of constitution and laws which
we can hardly credit. The result of both,
however, is tn at power which is the charac-
teristic element of despotism, and renders it
as formidable TO its enemies as it is destruc-
tive to its subjects.


Third-An immense army has been or
ganized for our destruction, which is being
disciplined to the unthinking stOlidity of
regulars. With the exclusive possession of
the seas, our enemy is enabled to throw up
on the shores of every State the nucleus of
an army. And the threat is made, and
doubtless the attempt will follow in early
spring, to crush US with a giants grasp by
a simultaneous movement along our entire
borders.


Fourth-With whatever alacrity our peo-
pie may rush to arms, and with whatever
energy our Government may use its resour-
ces, we cannot expect to cope with our enc
my either in numbers, equipments or muni-
tions of war. To provide against these
odds we must look to desperate courage,
unhinching daring and universal seIfsacri-
fee.


Fifth-The prospect of foreign interfer-
ence is at least remote one, and should not
be relied on. If it comes, let it be only
auxiliary to our own preparations for free
dom. To our God and ourselves alone we
should look.


These are stern facts, perhaps some of
them are unpalatable. But we are deceiV-
ed in you if you would have rs to conceal
them in order to deceive you. The only
question for Us and for you is, as nation
and individually, what have we to dol We
answer:


First-As nation we should be united,
forbearing to one another, frown ing upon ali
factious opposition and censorious criti-
cisms and giving trustful and generous
confidence to those selected as our, leaders
in the camp and the council chamber.


Second-We should excite every nerve
and strain every muscle of the body polite
to maintain our financial and military
heartfulness, and by rapid aggressive action,
make orr enemies feel, at their own fire.
sides, the horrors of war brought on by
themselves.


The most important matter for you, hove
ever, is your individual duty. What can
We do


The foot of the oppressor is ON the
soil of Georgia. he comes with lust in his
eye, poverty in his purse and hell in his
heart. He comes a robber and a murderer
How shall you meet him With the sword,
at the threshholdI With death for him or
for yourselfI Rut more than this-let eUeTy
lgonsan have torch, every child a Jfre5ranG-
let the LoUed homes Of your youth be made
ashes, and the fields Of our heritage be made
desolate. Let blackness and ruin mark
your departing steps, if depart you must,
and let desert more terrible than Sahara
welcome the Vandals. Let your faithful
slaves share your forums and your crust.
Trust wife and children to the sure protec-
ton Of God-prefsrring even for these low
ed ones the chRrneI house as home thau
loathsome vassalage to nation already
sunk below the contempt of ths civilized
world. This may be your terrible choice,
and determine at once and without dissent
as honor and patriotism and dHty to God
require.


Fellow citizens LulI not yourselves into
a fatal security. Be prepared for every con-
tingshcE. This is our only hope for q sure
and honorable peace. If our enemy was
to-day convinced that the feast herein indi-
Gated would welcome him in eyery quarter
of this Confederacy, We know his base
character well enough to feel assured be
would never come. Let, then, tho smoke