Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-12-11
What shan be Done,

IL. What should North Carolina do in the present
crisis, is the question which we hear from all Sides
The joint committee on federal relations composed
of our ablest men, has not yet reported and it is
impossible to conjecture what they will recon-
mend If at all possible let there be unity and har-
mony, whatever the State may do or omit to do in
the present crisis.
Should the State secede with South Carolina p
We think not. Should She in any event. separate
herself from the middle breadstuf States and unite
her destnies with the cotton States? We think
not No cotton State has thus far even consulted
her. though several of them preparing to 60 out
1t is true no middle State has consulted her, but
this fact affords the best proof that the middle States
are not even contemplating dissolution. The inter-
ests of North Carolina are much more identified
with Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Maryland
than they are with South. Carolina, Alabama, Mis-
sissippi and Texas. When they manifest a DISPOSE
ton to dissolve the Union it will be time enough for
her to move. Any attempt to establish "cotton
Confederacy" will fail. It might last few years.
and it might escape degrading dependence on for
eign powers; but the people OF such Confederacy
would not be able to subsist on cotton. A king is
nothing without lords and commons. So it would
be with cotton. But if all the slavehoding States
should go off together in the last resort and if the
public property could be fairly divided, and perma-
nent arrangements made with reference to the mouth
of the Mississippi they might escape entangling al
liances with foreign nations, avoid war with the
Northern States and prosper for a while. We say
this might be so, but no one be certain of it
War would come at last-war between brethren of
the same blood and speaking the same language
war; which would convulse this continent and shake
the word-war, which would leave behind it, in its
bloody and smoking track, military despotism,
nous taxes, corrupted morals and famished and
ruined people in both Confederacies. We are not
ready to incur these hazards now. We will cling
to the Union as long as we can do so with safety
and honor; and when safety is threatened or honor
touched we will leave it if that day should ever
come, without counting the cost hoping for repose
and independence under new forms, and ready to
incur all the consequences which may follow disso-
luton. When that day comes the middle States
will be ready, but they are not ready now.
We are utterly opposed to the recommendation of
Gov. Ellis to consult the people of other States be-
fore our own people are consulted. We know of
no conclusive reasons at this time why Conven-
ton of the people of this State should be called but
we are not afraid to trust the people with this
any other question. Indeed our complaint has been
that Gov Ellis and his partzans are afraid to trust
the people, and seeking to commit them to dis
union before consulting them If two-thirds of the
members of the Legislature think Convention
should be called, let them say So Less than two
thirds cannot call Convention; and any attempt
to call Convention by bare majority of the Leg
isature would be violation of the Constitution and
would be resisted or disregarded by the people
Let those fire-eaters who are thinking of such a
course, beware If they shall dare to begin the
olution in North Carolina by trampling the Con-
stitution of the State the consequences be their
own heads But if Convention shall be called, we
shall insist that the action of the Convention shall
be submitted to the people at the 6alotbOr for their
approval or rejection. We repeat we rely on the
people, provided fair play is shown by the polti-
clans; and if fair play is not shown, it will be de-
manded and had at all hazards These are stormy
times. We are in the midst of these times, and we
prepared to bear our part in them. We are here
pith Others to guard the interests Of the masses
against the schemes Of disunionists and demdgogues
We intend to do it The people of this State shall
not be committed to any step, if we can prevent it
without being allowed themselves to take that step.
If the State is to stay in the Union and to give Mr.
Lincoln trial, let them say so; if the State must
go out let them say But let us have no consul
tations-secret consultations it may be-with other
States before our State is consulted; and let
have no attempt to call Convention by bare ma
jorlty of the Legislature.