Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-12-18


the least danger of such policy with our present
worthy Executive; for he has drawn his sword and
thrown away the scabbard. But we may not al
ways have 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 the opinion of the
Lincoln administration that there treason Turk
ing in our midst, and that the only way (the miser-
able rebels) the secessionists could keep it down.
was by the iron heel of power, detianty eXclaims,
"what do we care for what the enemy may think !?
Are our actions to be controlled by their thoughtsy
No sir; while in reality we care neither for them
or their thoughts still, sir, should SO act as not
to give efficiency to the inspriting effects OF their
delusion and our course should be to disabuse
their minds by letting them know that such tex
traordinary" legislation was not necessary to In
sure the fidelity of our people. Yes, Mr.. Speaker !;
effect; and 60 further and say, that its bare intro
ducton, disposed of it may be, will likewise to
some extent have a bad moral influence If you
pass it. the enemy will say-"look, North Caro-
lima finds it necessary-indspensaoly necessary
to resort to test oath to the loyalty of her
people. But for that they would flock TO Lincoln's
standard by the thousand. On the contrary, should
we reject it. they will say-"lOok, the Union men.
the sympathizers with Lncoln's administration,
are now so strong in the Convention of North Car
DINA, that they have actually had strength enough
to prevent it." And thus, sir, whether YOU pass or
reject it. its moral influence will be bad
The gentleman too, has said that our fathers in
the revolutionary war found it necessary to resort
to an oath like this; and what objection should
their sons have to taking a similar oath2
We nave not the slightest objection to the oath
itself; and if the causes calling it forth) ex
listed with us it did exist with Them zoe too would
60 for imposing it.
But sir, the causes are entirely dissimar For
in the times referred to respectable minority of the
then population, had but recently landed as stran-
gers upon our soil. They were 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
neltier mad they been long enough with fathers
to catch and feel the soulinspirng and liberty sus.
tanning sentiment, "this is my own, nv native
land They were, in the main, ignorant and I'M
informed as to the new obligations they had come
under. Many of them had even landed during the
first progress of the war, and wonder that many
| of them longed for the flesh pots of Egypt
| But is that so with US? Have we ever belonged
| to the Lincoln Government? Have we not always
had State Government, to which our primary al
| legiance was due? Were we ever "colony" o.
| the Government of the United States? If so, VIZ
have stutted ourselves by the secession ordinance
which has proclaimed to the world that we have
right to withdraw. For these reasons, there CAT b.
no similarity in the two cases; and the
ing the oath should be dispensed with. What car
be its necessity? With entire unanlmity we passed
the ordinance of secession, went home mixed witt
our people, told them what we had done, come back
and but the other day passed with entire unaniml
| ty the resolutions Of the senior delegate frou
Recommendations which do credit to his heat
and heart-in which again pledged our lives
our fortunes and our sacred honor, to the prosecu
ton of this Yet in the face Of all this SOM
doubling Thomas wants still stronger testimony
| Why, Mr.. President, not only have our entir
male population, with the exceptions referred 20
actually committed treason according to Lincoln'
definition; but our very wives and daughters
mothers and grandmothers, from the aged matro,
down to the daughter of ten years, all are guilty
and equally guilty of the like offencc-for almos
Cur entire female population have been giving ali
and comfort" to Lincoln's enemies by the thou
sands and tens of thousands Of their contributions t
render our soldiers comfortable in the field
| l say, in conclusion, that the ordinance in it
present shape shall never receive my vote-and tina
in my opinion, it is uncalled for ifolitic as vel
as violative of the principles Of civil liberty.