Newbern weekly progress., 1860-01-10
The Tooics of tl,c nay.


Mr. Editor;-Since the columns of y5ur paper
are open tor exposition of the views of men of
every shade of political opinion, you will pardon
the liberty now taken, and give place to what
the writer conceives to be the sentiment of very
many of your fellow citizens.
That there is some danger be it great small,
of an overt interference with the cherished insti-
tutions of the South by the sectional party which
has already attained plurality in the popular
branch of our national Legislature and a eonse-
quent rupture of the confederacy of which we
form part will be disputed by few who are at
all cognizant with the present state Of public feel
ing in different sections of this country. And
though we may all earnestly deprecate the hap
pening of any event which will bring this terrible
issue upon us, still we cannot but feel that we
may live to see the day when shall be called
upon to act for ourselves in the capacity of in
dependent sovereignty by reVersion of those
rights and powers which by the Constitution we
have delegated to the general government
And if there still some III the South, who.
in the honesty of their hearts, attempt to throw
cold water upon the patriotic movements of those
who feel that the time has come for action, some
who still hug the platform of Union with or with
out the Constitution, and cry peace, peace, when
there is no peace, yet when the feelings of the
people come to be expressed The voice of this fac
ton will be hushed easily as the noisy bab-
bling brook is swallowed i'll the calm majestic
roar of the mighty ocean.
North Carolina, to whom we owe our first allie
glance and around whose name cluster our dear
est affections has always been noted for her con-
servatism her honesty and her steady adherence
to principles once adopted.
Far be it from the writer of this article to de.
tract from the old established reputation of his
native State or to contribute one iota towards eaus
ing her to depart from the old land marks to which
she has SO long clung, but the time has come for
her to put in practice the very principles for which
IL, nIaS for ho-tr
sister States by proper preparation, that she is
ready to act when necessity shall require it.
Truly now are 1.-The times which try mems
souls" We know not the issue of single day.
Who amongst could be surprised at any time
by tidings brought upon the swift lightning's
wings that rupture had taken place in the Halls
of Congress between the representatives of differ
ent sections of this country. The writer wishes
not to be considered an aarmst, he wishes not
that the State of n orth Carolina should be involv=
ed in the consequences of hasy and thoughtless
action but he does earnestly desire that she should
awake from her lethargic slumber and take her
stand with her sisters who speaking i'll trum-
pet tones on her right hand and on her left.
The opinion of the people of the State as to the
expediency of call of the Legislature is under
stood to be desired by those who occupy high
places III our State government.
This question requires discussion; It is right
that the people should think deeply in regard to
it and express the conclusions to which they mag
have arrived. What is the state of the case!
w hat has been the action OF our COnfederateS VINO
are equally interes ed with in the vital question
of the day South Carolina, always first to speak
in behalf of Southern rights, has appropriated
money for the purchase of arms and military
coutrements and has expressed her willingness to
take part with the other Southern States in W hat
ever course may seem best to them. Virginia
has re organized her militia system and is III
comparatively perfect state of defence. Geor
gia has spoken; Mississippi is preparing; all, all
are awake to the present portentous state of affairs
And shall ortl Carolina remain for another year
in her present defenceless condition? Shall she
express no sympathy with her sisters by official
Legislative action, by placing herself in atti-
emergency which might arise
The writer of this, lille concedng to others
the liberty of thinking differently upon this sub
ject and impunng no mans motives in acting
under the inspiration of contrary conclusions,
cannot but feel that were the sentiments of the
people expressed, vast maj ority would be i'll IA
yor Of immediate legislation. SOUTH.