Year: 1863




AT the earnest solicitation of numerous friends, have
consented to the of candidate repre-
ent you In the next Confederate Congress Regarding


as one OF the fundamental principles republican form
o government tn at the people have right know the
opinions ofthose who offer for their suages to
ao them to cast their votes in reference their present
welfare and future happiness feel it my duty to lay be-
lore you my views upon such subjects will most likely
occupy the attention of the next Congress.


we may most naturally suppose that during its next
session Congress will be almost wholly occupied in legls-
atng upon the present unhappy condition of
aho the DloodY civil war now raging between tne
Northand South. In these matters shall deem it du.


70 shape my course in reference to the most successful
peace.


In the accomplishment of this object dear to the heart
f every true statesman and patriot must profit by the
lessons of the past and learn shape future by
The bitter experiences of this dreadful war; remembering
that is the lamp of ext terience."


We have tried peaceabe secession; Yankee cowardce,
King Cotton, and foreign rventiOn and they have all
sgnaly failed, was predicted by those whocamy view
ed the then impending troubles from proper stand point
and surely there Is now one devoid Of reason as to
desire to travel the road again. with its fright
ful consequences fresh their memories What shall
We then do to terminate this cruel strife between brethren,
Is the all absorbing ISSUE which engages the attention of
every man. woman and child capable Of apprecating the
present unhappy condition of affairs.


In my humble opinion eow-citizens there but two
alternatives left uSether negotiate honorable
or TO conquer one and - Christian people, who at the
request OF their Chief Magistrate have recently invoked
the blessings Of Heaven in your behalf ask you should
We not offer the olive branch" enemies, and thus
an termination 10 llS
ful struggle? Thirty millions of immortal beings would
be the recipients Ofis haOwed blessings But should
fail we would then have the consolation of knowing that
We mad discharged our duty to God and feow-man;
and the blood OF this would henceorth upon the
skirts of our enemies alone The cry would then go up
from every patriotic heart let rather die reemen
than live saves" would produce concert of action
more the last dscnrdant wou be hushed and
the last man seek to lay down his life freely
brave soldiers have hitherto shed blood upon the bat
tle-ield. a.


In this connection Will aude to the gh of the peo-
pie to assemble together consn for the public good
instruct their representatives and petition the Legislature
for redress OF grievances 1t is Constitutional right
bequeahed TO them by the blood and Of their
revolutionary ancestors, and but military despOt
would attempt to wrest from them. Is there any
blunt OF feeling devoid of understanding de ny
that is wherng blightng upon any nation?
Then let the people assemble and express their opinions
upont II their proceedings unlawful and injurious,
they are amenabe to the civil law and not to the militia
ry which should be kept in strict subordinatiOn. Let
not depart from the teachings of Washington and his
patriots
This brings me to another subiect-he freedom of the
press The teachings of these lustrous fathers equally
applicable here Ii with them the great buw of
liberty and ifs rights were never abridged. Who but
military tyrant desires to see thus great Of lib
ery powdered dust: The father Of present Com
mandsfn-chef received wound in Baltimore in defence
of this right the freedom OF the press the mark Of which
feel it my duty to call your attention to a subject
which has occupied mucAof the public nton of North
Carolina. refer to the department Of the Confederate ad
mnIStratOn and Congress towards State 1t has been
charged that North Carolina treated unuy both
IN the civil and military departments by having from
other States placed office withu her barderS the
cusOn OF her 1t has been charged that she has
been requI ed send the army than any 9TH
State according to population have not the data be-
fore decide the truth of these charges but If they
SO it is burning shame disgrace that should put
blush the most abandoned of If elected shall
institute the proper enquiries to ascertain the facts and
appriSe yQu'Of them at the proper time.


fAvos the untabity of the representative
his constituent, ard am therefore opposed
siuns aud closed doors. But little good comes of them
much harm may result from them and besides they
ant-repubican in their tendency and should not be tO
rated by free people.


am opposed to the "tax in kind law passed by the
last Congress 1t alike unjust and oppressive in its op
ealionS and of Objectionable features the
deprvng the wives and children of soldiers of part
of their hard earnings when 50 few Of them make more
than scanty support


Cousclip law parLeed only by LincOlns emancipation
proclamation. Why man with twenty negroes shou
be exempt from the tolls and dangers of camp life and
other with nineteen or none conscrPed idea that
have never been able to comprehend upon the principles
of equity and common sense am opposed TO the princ
pie OF exemption in shape, except in of mental
and physical inability.


Much has been said in certain quarters about submission
and reconstruction Ii those who were instrumental in
breaking the old government and have refused fight
for the not submisSOniss am at loss to know
who What was loyalty in thr years ago,
in advocating the dissolution Of the old Union
in another now and if there be any Instruction.
lists they certainly have the precedent of the secesSoniss
by which to prove their loyalty Let these who
treason treason pluck the beam from their eye,
that they may beho Id the in their brothers
clearly They design again to miSlead and deceive the
people


am in favor of raising the wages of the soldier
from eleven to thirty dollars month. The present
bitant prices ether with the scarcyof the
of le demand il act of Justice and at the time
prompttude should be observed in theI payment of
their wages.


Our currency should engagshe early attention of Con-
gress Its present depreciaet resulting injurious
w. and regret to say, it is caused, great degree by
the bad faith OF Congress- in altering the express
ed in the face othe notes Nothing eau so speedily reme
dy the evil, as make the notes legal tender


Feow-ctzens, let me you that effort of mine
shall be wanting to honorable permanent and
speedy pece 1t is the prayer of thousands of widows and
orphans and should be the mating desire of every true
statesman WILL moreover endorse terms of peace
your representative until they submitted you the
baotbox. 1t right guaranteed to you freemen, and
but base reconstructOnist submssonis would
dare deny you the privilege


In conclusion let say, that elected shall act with
eye and heart single to common interests shall
set up factouS opposition TO the Administration, but
render cordial support to those measures which believe
will have tendency insure your present gOod and
future happiness and prosperity us a free people


J. T. LEACH


Johnston County, Sept. II, 1858.


EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT NORTH