Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-11-27
Aiming linz, the Stare \ ).

We took ground in january last in favor of arm.
ing the State. Wewere in favor Of converting the
Legislature soon after the John Brown raid that the
State might be put in posture of defence We de-
clared then that "the surest way to avert dissou
ton Of the Union was to prepare for it" In our
issue of January H. 1850 we asked, SIS our militia
system at all efficient? And if efficient, which no
one asserts, have We arms for our militia? Have
we ball and powder? Are the various Captains
districts in the State under vigant patrop Are we
ready now to encounter unjust aggression and to
demand that the forms of the Constitution shall not
be used to destroy usP Are we prepared to meet
these aggressions and to make this demand on war
footing with arms in our hands. Alas, mol" And
we went on to say that the mere election of black
Republican President would most probably affect
State and Bank stocks and indeed every species of
property. IfSeward should be elected BY sectional
votes it will be no easy matter to raise money in
November, 1860, on the best paper. Does any one
doubt that? Without money could neither pro-
cure arms nor support troops"
Nearly twelve months ago, therefore, we warned
the people and the Governor of the State of the
crisis that is now upon u.s. We foresaw and pre-
dicted the condition of things which must exist if a
black Republican should be elected President Our
warning was dsregarded and we have reason to be-
heve that the views announced at that time were
not acceptable to the Governor. He assembled his
Council, but the most he would recommend to that
body was to pass few resolves. The Legislature
was not convened, and no action was taken. State
bonds to any amount could then have been Sold
arms could have been purchased the militia could
hoe, Al
companies could have been encouraged and the State
could have been placed on a war footing But the
motto then was tdlk and icdit. And now in what
condition do find ourselves? Why, the Cover
nor waking up at last to the Importance of putting
the State in posture of Defence calls for ten thou
sand volunteers, and asks for money to arm and
equip them To arm and equip this number, and
to place them on war footing will require mil
lion five hundred thousand dollars How is this
money to be raised? Not by taxation, for the Coz
ernOr emphatically recommends a reduction OF the
tares Shall raise it by the sale of State bonds?
If we do we will have to pay dollar and twenty
five cents for every dollar called for for State bonds
are twenty-five cents below par. Shall we borrow
from the Banks? The Banks have suspended, and
every dollar which they issue will be needed by
the people to prevent distress and bankruptcy
What then, are we to do? We must do the best
under the circumstances that surround us.
If the Legislature had been convened in January
last and If North Carolina had then placed herself
on war footing, such action by so conservative
State would have gone very far towards defeating
the black Republicans. But that golden opportuni-
ty has been lost-!ost by Governor who slumbers
in January, and who rouses up and proposes to dis
solve and fight in November of the same year.
We say, let the militia De organized. Let yolun-
teer companies be encouraged. Let every dollar
which can be spared from the Treasury, or which
can be raised without increasing the present bur-
dens on the people, be used in purchasing arms and
in equippng volunteers. The surest way to prevent
war is to prepare for it. The surest way to pre-
serve the Union is to insist upon the Constitution.
If Mr.. Lincoln should violate the Constitution,
or should attempt to violate it. let us be ready
to defend our rights and to deal with him with
arms in hands. Fearing the success of the black
| Republicans this was advice in January last.
But our Governor, who is wise above what is writ.
ten talked and waited and hence our present condi-