Year: 1862




victory in Kentucky, it is evident that the
south will contest every inch of ground,
aud with the greater tenacity and ferceness
as they perceive their cause becoming des-
perste. In TACT their cause is now desperate,
and we all pray for some signal victory, to
give us an impetus which will be perfectly
irresistible:


TO THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA.


FeiLow Citizens: In a few days the Pro.
vlsiOnal Government of the Confederate
States will live only in history. With it we
shall deliver up the trust we have endeavored
to use for Your benefit, to those more directly
selected by yourselves. The public record
Of our acts is familiar to you, and requires
no further explanation at our hands. OF
those matters wh ch policy has required TO
be secret, IL would be improper now to sneak.
This ADDRESS will therefore have no personal
reference.


We are we'll 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 resolution and its hopes. And we are
proud with you that Georgia has been illus
tra'ed," and we doubt not will be illustrated
again by her sons in our holy struggle. The
first campaign IS over-each party rests in
peeCe-whlIe the winters snow declares an
aTmistice from on high. The results in the
field are flmiliar to you and we need not re-
count them. TO some important facts we
call Your attention.


FIRST The moderation of our own gov
erpment and the fanatical madness of our
ene mics have dispersed all differences of
oyirion among our people, aud united them
70. er in the war cfiadepeudenCe. Ia a few
border States waning opposition is giving
way before the stern logic of daily develop
ing facts. The worlds history does not give
paTallelinstance of a revolution based upon
such unspimity among the people.


Second. Our enemy has exhibited an en-
ergy, perseverance and an amount of re.
sources which we had hardly expected, and
a disregard OF Constitution and laws which
we can hardy credit. The result of BOTH
however, is that power which is the charac-
acteIistic element of despotism and renders
it as formidable TO its enemies as it is de-
structive TO its subjects.


Third. An immense army has been Or
eanized for our destruction, which is being
disciplined to the linking stolidity OF reg.
ulars With the exclusive possession of the
seas our enemy is enabled to throw upon the
shores of every State the nucleus of an army;
ard the threat is made, and doubtless the at
tempt will follow in early spring to crush
US with 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 re-
sources, we can not expect to cope with our
enemy, either in numbers, equipments, or
munitions of war. To provide against these
odds, we must look to desperate courage, un-
finching daring and universal self-sacrifce.


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


These are stern facts-perhsps some of
them are unpalatable. But we are deceived
in you, if you would have US conceal them
from you in order TO deceive you. The only
question for US and for you is-as nation
and individually have we to do2 We
answer


First. AS nation, we should be united,
forbearing to one another, frowning upon
all 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 aud strain every
nerve of the body polite to maintain our
financial and military healthfulness, and by
rapid aggressive action, make our enemies
feel at their own 6resides the horrors of a
war brought on by themselves.


The most important matter for you, how
ever, is your individual duty. What can
you do2


The foot of the oppressor is on the soil of
Georgia. lie comes Nth lust in his ege, pop
erty in his purse, and he'll in his heart. He
comes To6ber aud a murderer. How shall
we meet him? With the sword at thethres-
hold. With death for him or for yourself
But more than this, let every woman have a
torch, every child firebrand Let the loved
homes of our 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 van
dals. Let every city be leveled by the fame,
and every village be lost in ashes. Let your
faithful slaves share your fortune and your
crust. Trust wife and children to the sure
refuge and protection of God, preferring even
for those loved ones the charnel- house as
home than the loathsOme vassalRge TO q ma.
tion already sunk below the contempt of the
civilized world. This may be your terrible
choice, and determine at once and without
dissent as honor and patriotism and duty to
God require.


Fellow citizens lull not yourselves into 8
fatal security. Be prepared for every contin-
gency. This is our only hope for sure and
honorable peace. If our enemy was to day
convinced that the feast herein indicated
would welcome him in every quarter of this
Confederacy, we know his base character
well enough to feel assured he would never
come. Let then, the smoke of your homes,
| fired by women's hands, tell the approaching
foe that over sword and bayonet they will
rush only 10 fire and ruin.


We have faith in God and faith in you.