Year: 1864

We were a Union man up to Lincoln's proclana-
tion We have since been a war man, and We are
now in favor of, fighting and negotiating at the
same time for peace. At the beginning Of the war,
when volunteer companies were being equipped by
private subscriptions contributed'to this object
freely and as much in proportion to our means
any citizen of the State. Our only regret is that
We were not able to give more. We have uniform
ily submitted to the laws advised Others to submit
to them, paid taxes, and labored to the
Independence of the Confederate States. We have
never refused to aid soldier when he appeared to
heed it, or to aid the soldiers families when
called upon to do SO. We have cheerfuIly part
ed with our property for government use, at a low
price, when others in this community who pretend
to be war gave up their property reluctantly,
retained it by making special appeals to the de-
partment at Richmond. We have uniformly re-
ceived Confederate money in payment of old as well


as new debts while many Destructives have refused
it onNld debts, and even for grain and meat for
soldiers families. We, have never entertained
thought, nor breathed a word, nor printed line
with the view or intention of njuring the Southern
cause. Wherefore, then, this persecution. these



ged the people to maintain their liberties while
they were contending against the common foe.-
We have insisted on a strict construction of the
Constitution, and on the perpetual, unremitting
force of the civil law. We have exposed corrup-
tion in high places, and demanded reform, not for


actious purposes, but for the good of the cause
We have contended for the rights of the States and
resisted the tendency to establish military despo-
tsm. We have taken the part of the private sol.
dier when he has been unjustly treated and impo-
sed upon; and we have called time and again on
those who promised the volunteers that they would
provide for their families in their absence to redeem
their pledge We have insisted on the right of the
private soldiers to have the companies and regi-
ments re organized when they shall be again con,
scrpted in the spring, with the privilege OF slectng
their own officers. We have published complaints
from citizens whose rights have been disregarded
by the military, and have insisted that property
shall not be taken or destroyed by order of COM
manding officers, without just compensation. We
have protested against the arrest of our citizens
without civil warrant and have Insisted that every
one thus arrested and thrown into military prison.


is entitled to speedy trial-to be released if no
sufficient grounds exist for holding him, or to be
turned over, if sufficient grounds exist to be tried
by jury of his country. Wehave advocated every
measure which was calculated to render our armies
efficient; we have rejoced when victory has crown
ed our arms, and we have mou-ned when disaster
has fallen on our banners. But we are Conserva-
tive-we believe inthe right of thepeople to gov
ern themselves-we have favored such steps as
promised to lead to an honorable peace-we have
Insisted tina: the Confederate States should not fight
on bndly to the verge of ruin for States that are
against us, as for example Maryland, Missouri, and
Kentucky, but that the olive branch should be car
ried in one hand and the sword in the other; and
we have favored Convention of our people not
for factious or selfish purposes-not to destroy or
even embarrass the common government but to
aid it in its efforts to obtain just and honorable
peace. "Our offence hath this extent-no more"
Still we are called traitor, and every effort is made
by our enemies to prejudice the people against US,
and to destroy socially politically, and person.
ally. Our fault is that the people are with US and
that we are true to both soldiers and people. If
this be our fault then we proud of it ;sand We
tell our assaants whether they be Destructives or
professed Conservatives, that if they against the
people of this State-if they disposed to thwart
the will of the people, ste it if they consent
to any measures that may be resorted to to stiae
that will to interfere with its free and full ex-
PRESTON then we against them. If zoe are false
to the Confederate government then it has but few
friends in this State, for vast majority of our peo
pie agree with US. But re are not false. The real
traitors those who aided in bringing on the war,
but who refuse to fight in it and who are at homo
growing rich out of it, while their neighbors and
neighbors children who were opposed to the action
which produced the war, are barring their breasts to
the storm of battle These are the traitors fellow
ctzens-traitors to their own pledged word, trait
ors to their neighbors, their country, and their
God and these are the men who are themselves
engaged, or engaged as the instruments of thels,
in assailing, villifylng, and threatening u.s..


We now say to our friends, o5ce for all, that We
are calm and frm, and intend to do our, duty at all
hazards. We shall not swerve under any circur n
stances, from Conservative principles, nor turn ou
back on the people. But we advise moderation in
all things. We must not forge. our duty to our CO.
States, to the common government, or to the have
army of the Confederate States now in the field,
welding the mailed hand of war while those at home
IN the civil councils are presenting the un 81 owed
hand OF peace. We must fight and talk for peace
at the same time; and the effectiveness of the latter
whether by public meetings, or public journals, or
members of Congress or of State Legislatures, or
Conventions OF the7States depends on the vigor of
the former Wemust treat Oith arms in our hands


These are our views, held and expressed for
months past 1t IS absurd-utterly absurd to as
sumo that 100 have possessed the people with these
views or any particular views, that they are do
ing wrong as is alleged, under our leadership We
are amazed that such an assumption should be made
by any intelligent person. The very reverse is the