Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-12-14

and feedand jmpfjsOnea if ,hedld There is not
fhe least danger q such policy with present
worldly Executive; for be has dawn his sword and
thrown away the scabbardszRut We may not al
sMaysshavs Jefferson Davis and thank God that
we now have such man at our head.
The gentleman from Martin, anticipating most
potent argument that would be urged against this
ordinance-that it. would confirm Upinion OF the
Lincoln administration that there was treason Turk
ing in midst and that the only way the InJser-
able rebels) the secessionsts could keep It down,
was by the iron heel Of power, dehantly exclaIms,
what do we care for what the enemy may think
Are actions to be controlled by their thoughts!
No sir; while in reality we care neither Tor them
or their thoughts, STILL sir, should act as not
to give efficiency to the inspirting effects OF thelr
delusion and our course should be to 'disabuse
their minds by letting them know that such Eek
traordinary" legislation was not necessary 70 IN
sure the fidelity of our people. Yes, Mr.. Speaker
the passage of this ordinance oiU hdre bad moral
effect; and go further and say, that its bare intro
ductiOn, disposed of it may be, will likewise TO
some extent have bad moral influence. ii you
pass it. the enemy will say" look, North Caro-
lima finds it necessary-indispensaoly necessary
to resort TO test OATH TO secure the loyalty OF her
peoplr. But for that they would flock to Lincoln $
standard by the thousand. On the contrary, should
reject it, they will say" look, the Union men,
the sympathizers with Lincoln's administration,
DINA, that they have actually bad strength enough
to prevent it." And thus, sir, whether you pass or
reject it. its moral influence will be bad. y 4
The gentleman too, has said that our fathers in
the revolutionary war found it necessary 10 resort
to an oath like this; and what objection should
their sons have to taking a similar oath? -
We nave not the slightest objection to the oath
itself; and if the calling tforth( ex-
listed with it did exist with them, oe too would
go for imposing 1t. ..rt
But sir, the causes are entirely dissmilar. For
in the times referred to respectable minority OF the
then population, had but recently landed as stran-
gers upon our soil. They British subjects, and
had sworn allegiance to the British crown, upon
their landing This was then colony of Great
Britain. The oath was fresh on their recollection.
They had never belonged to any other government
neither had they been long enough with fathers
to catch and feel the soul-inspirng and liberty sus
tanning sentiment, "his is my own, my native
land" They were, in the main, ignorant and uR
informed as to the obligations they had come
under. Many of them had even landed during the
first progress of the war; and no wonder that many
of them lOnged for the flesh pots of Egypt .'s
But is that with US? Have ever belonged
to the Lincoln Government? Have we not always
had State Government, u which our primary al
legiance was due? Were we ever colony" oil
the Government of the United States? If so, We
have stutted ourselves by the secession ordinance,
which has proclaimed to the world that we have d
right to withdraw. For these reasons there car be
no similarity in the two cases. and the reason ceas
ing, the oath should be dispensed with. What can
be ITS necessity? With entire unanimity we passed
| the ordinance Of secession, went home, mixed with
our people, told them what we had done, come back,
and but the other DAY passed with entire unanmi.
ty the resolutions Of the senior delegate from
| Recommendations which do credit to his head
and heart-n which We again pledged our lives
our fortunes and our sacred honor, to the prosecu
ton of this Yet in the face Of all this, some
| doubling Thomas wants still stronger testimony.
Why. Mr.. President, rot only have entire
male population, with the exceptions referred TO-
actually committed treason according to LincOln's
definition; but our very wives and daughters
mothers and grand-mothers, from the aged matron
down to the daughter of ten years, all are guilty
and equally guilty of the like offencc-for almost
Cur entire female population have been giving aid
and comfort to Lincoln's enemies by the thou
sands and tens of thousands Of their contributions to
! render our soldiers comfortable in the field.
| say, in conclusion, that the ordinance in its
present shape shall receive my vote-and that
in my opinion, it is uncaed for, impolitic, as vel
as viOlative of the principles of civil liberty.