Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-01-03

may be consistent with the MEANS the ability and
the credit of the State.
1t must be admitted by all that the present finan-
cia revulsion brought about as it has been mainly
by the extravaganza, reoklessness, and in some
dishonesty of individuals and corporations in
other sections of the country, has largely increased
the difficulties under which we labor in prosecuting
for the present any extended plan of Improvement
But the great and we-known resources of the
country, and the deep and solid foundations upon
which rests its ultimate prosperity, cannot fail at
an early day, to restore business it's
channels, and capital to seek for safe invest
ment, and thus enable the State if she desires it.
to resort successfully, as she has done heretofore
to the of her credit for the prosecution of her
public works, and the ameoration of the condition
of our people
We live in time if may so speak, of excessive
progress ana know that it has been said, perhaps
with some truth, that North Carolina has been a
aggard in the race of her sister States But there
are times when it is safer, at least to be in the
than in the 'front.' She has thrown off her lethargy
and trust that time will show that she has the
means, the ability and the qoit run with success
the set before her.
A few words more and will trespass no longer
upon your time attention.
Occasions like the present, though of frequent
occurrence in the different States of our Union and
in still more striking and imposing manner at the
seat -four National Government, are, nevertheless
well calculated to excite in our bosoms a patriotic
fervor. Not because of the elevation of any man
to office, and least of all humble as myself
American system of Governments system inten-
ded by its trainers to solve, and which it has been
our boast has solved, the problem of mans capacity
to govern himselEa system peculiar in ITSELF and
arising in some degree out of our peculiar situation
when it nsttuted-partly federative or national
partly local-one out of many;-a system calcu-
lated perhaps in greater degree for extension and
at the same time for unity and strength than any
other form of free government hitherto devised by
the wit of man,-with privileged classes, civil,
military, or regious-no prince, potentate or king
no rulers but the people with laws adopted under
forms of government Instituted by themselves, and
administered by officers Of their own selection.
We have seen one Chief Executive officer after
another, both in State and National Govern
ments elected by the people, and installed in office
quietly and without disturbance, and again return
ing to the walks of private life. In two instances
in our National Government, on the demise of the
President Of the United States the Vice President
has succeeded quietly to that exalted station. And
in our own State it appears that more than once
upon the vacation of the gubernatorial office the
powers of Governor, in accordance with the proyi-
sions of the Constitution, have been exercised by
the Speaker of the Senate for the time being with
out hindrance and without detriment to the State;
thus testing time and again, system of Gov
eminent under various circumstances and emer-
gencies, and showing ready acquiescence on
the part of our people to forms and laws prescribed
by themselves.
In view Of these things the question naturally
suggests itself to every rejecting and patriotic mind
can this system be preserved and perpetuated
Will it be maintained in all its beauty harmony
and usefulness, and transmitted unupaired to those
who come after us? Or does it contain within itself
the seeds of disease, some vicious principle which
or later will work its dissolution
Hitherto, notwithstanding the occasional Earring
of some discordant elements it has proved eminenty
successful. But it is believed that it can only con-
tinue to be So by strictly combining the action of
our National Government to its limited constitution
al sphere, leaving to the States the free and unn-
terrupted exercise of all the powers reserved them
or to the people-by the observance of spirit of
justice, moderation and forbearance towards each
other, by the different States of the Union and
their people, and by faithful compliance with all
their obligations constitutional and legal
If on the contrary, the powers of the General
Government instituted by equals, and made for
the benefit of us all, perverted and welded
as to make war upon one particular section-if the
pecu liar institutions of the States of that section
are to be Increasingly assailed by those who have
properly and rightfully concern in the matter
if our Constitutional rights and the laws passed to
give them practical effect, to be utterly set at
naught and in their stead rampant and selfsancti-
fled fanatcism is to rule, then the days of our re-
publ; will have been numbered and we shall cease
to be united people.
We cannot shut eyes, and ought not if we
could, to the spectacle which has lately been pre-
scented in the non-savcholding States of this Union,
and to the efforts which have there been made,
fortunately with too much success, to array section
against section, and people against people
We have been charged with aggression, when
pie, to the constitutional provision for the reclama
ton of property, and ask for the execution of
the law passed to give it practical effect. We
told by many that that law must be repealed and
by not few, that there is "higher law than
the Constitution ITSELF in the breasts of Northern
freemen and that the free North is not to be made
a hunting ground for the slaves of the South. We
ask to be admitted to equal participation in the
common inheritance and common acquisitions of the
country, and content to leave with every people
the settlement of its domestic relations in its
own way. But are told that slavery must be
confined to its present limits and that there shall
be no more slave territories or slave States
The day may come, perhaps it will be too late,
when our Northern brethren will discover that the
Southern States intend to be equals in the Union,
Or independent out of it."
God grant that this dire alternative may never be
presented to usl Hitherto we have been singularly
blessed as people, and if we are wise and walk in
His way, we have every reason to believe that
wonderful destiny awaits
May He incline the hearts of us all that we
may to do evil, and learn to do we'll and that
may sacredly maintain in all their integrity the
glorious institutions handed down to us by our
ancestors, and transmit them unimpared to our
Attest posterity
SUPREME COURT
The following gentlemen have been admitted to
he practice of the law in the County Courts of this
State, by the Supreme Court in session in this
City: R. K. Pepper, of Stokes, j. Y. McLanahan,
If Chatham; John W. Moore, of Hartford; John