Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-06-19
Supreme Power-Military Despotism.

Supreme Power-Military DespOtism.
We have heard the remark made by the way, not
as charge against Gov Ellis, but to apologize for
him, and to explain certain gross violations of the
"bill ofrights" under his administration, that he
says that the last Legislature "clothed me with
supreme power" Now, if certain statements which
we have heard be true, it is very plain that in the
exercise Of military authority at least Gov. Ellis is
laboring under that hallucination
1t is known in this city, that some time ago, Mr.
Wilson, aprivate in the company Of Capt Erwin, of
the Randasburg Rifles, was guilty Of the high Of
fence of shooting bis Captain-that said Wilson
was tried by Court-martial and we are told was
condemned to six months hard labor at one of our
Forts. The punishment may be no greater than he
deserved, but Wilson was in the Volunteer service,
had not been in subscribed to the articles
of war, and hence was amenable only to the civil
Courts We are told he is suffering the award of
the Court-martial By what authority does the
Commanderin-C Chief keep that man under punish
ment not known to our laws?
Again, we have heard it stated, that, in or
more instances cargoes of corn shipped by peacea-
BILE citizens Of the Eastern counties, have been
seized by the State authorities and taken for the
use of the soldiers, without proper remuneration
In one it is said the cargo had been actually
sold at 80 cents per bushel and that it was SEIZED
and the owner was only allowed go cents by the
State.
Again, poor, but honest and Industrious me-
chanic IN this city, has been compelled by military
ordarc iSSund To q coynnopdor uho with fon col,
diers made the demand, to give up favorte piece
of property against his WILL for the of the State
although he demonstrated and begged to be allowed
to retain it. not being willing to sell it at any price,
He told them he would not willingly take. $500 for
it. but If the State compelled him to give it up he
would demand 5000. Under the stress of crcum-
stances he forced to give it up the authorities
promising to pay him $3.50.
Now, if these things be true, will the free people
of North Carolina submit to such despot;smg We
state them as they have been stated to US. Is it
possible that Gov Ellis, or the Military Board, can
for moment believe, that the legislature if it could
do 80, intended to convey any such power? A leg
slative body has no such authority and it is simply
absurd to suppose that any body or power can con-
Ter greater power upon any one man or dozen
men than it possesses ITSELF
The 18th article of the Declaration of Rights"
declares, "That no freeman ought to be taken, i'm
prisoned or ds-seized of his freehold liberties,
privileges, outlawed, exiled, in any manner
destroyed deprived ofhis life, liberty orproperty
sttution or law of the State rightly construed in
fringes the bill of rights.
Martial-law may be enforced, because great
public necessity compels it. by a commandingTGen-
eral, under circumstances of imminent hazard to
the State, and private property may be seized when
the public good and the public safety imperiously
demand it. but all such cases are exceedingly rare,
and should never be exercised, but with the great
est caution, and under the most solemn conviction
of its absolute necessity.
But can any one suppose that the condition Of
North Carolina up to this holr, has been so strait
ened and hazardous, from public or private enc.
N.Y. as to warrant the exercise of this fearful power
We think not
| The people of North Carolina are at war with
Lincoln, military despot, for the protection and
maintenance of these gerry rights We shall and
will resist him with all the force and the means
| God has given u.s. But the war will he fruitless
one indeed when We conquer, as we believe We
SHALL our Northern foes, if the Governors of NORTH
Carolina are to be invested with so arbitrary pow
err if they to be allowed to exercise it SO i'm
properly, through ignorance or imbecilitv. W.
warn the people of North Carolina to look closely
to your home interests-watch narrowly the con
| duct of your rulers.