Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-08-21
The Standard
ADDRESS
TO THE PEOPLE OF NORTH.CANOIiNA.

~ H4
70 THE PEOPLE OF NoRTH.CANOIdNA.
At conference of teachers and other friends OF
education, held in Raleigh OH the 9Th and 10th OF
this months, and representing large nun Der and all
classes of the schools of our State tn. following
offered by the Principal of Floral Col
lcge, were unanimously adopted:
Resolced, That in the opinion of this Assembly
large number ofthc colleges and SEMI
raries male and female, OF North Carolina, the con,
test now going OH for Southern Independence should
commend itself to the hearts and consciences OF all
the people Of the Confederate States.
Resosoea. That as this is struggle for national
existence and independence, it is to be maintained
issue, not only by legislative acts and by force OF
arms in the feld but also, in the school room, at
the iresidc, and by all those moral agencies which
preserye society, and which prepare people to be
free and self governing nationality; and that, con-
sidering our former dependence for books for teach
ers and for manufactures those who now seek our
subiugsticn, it is especially incumbent on us to en-,
courage and foster spirit of home enterprise and
selfreliance.
ResoSced, That the recent unexamp'ed progress
of our beloved State towards leading position
among her Southern sisters, is, under God, mainly
due to her great and noble educational system.
Resolred That in this time of peril and trial it is
of the first Importance that this SYSTEM constituting
the greatness of the present, and the hope oil the
future should be maintained with energy for the
sake both of its bcn6ccnt results to us and to our
posterity and an illustration to the world OF the
civilization Of the people of the Confederate States
and of their right and ability to assert and MAINTAIN
their freedom and independence.
Resokced, That we recognize in the Common
Schools of North Carolina the broad sure, and per-
mancnt foundation of her whole educational system,
and that We would respectfully and earnestly COM
mend to the authorities and people of the State the
primary necessity and the vital importance of pre-
venting even temporary suspension OF this nurse
~ of popular intelligence and patriotism, and OF
State independence
Resolred That committee of twelve OF whom
Rev. c. II. Wiley, Superintendent of Common
Schools, shall be chairman be appointed to prepare
an address to the people of North Carolina on the
subjects embodied in these resolutions.
These resolutions embody, in q brief form, scnt-
ments earnestly uttered by the members OF the Con-
ference and by large number Of teachers who were
unable to attend but who by letters cordially con-
mended the purposes of the meeting.
1t was felt to be duty to endeavor to impress on
the mind of the public these views of those who have
been aboring for the moral advancement othe State;
and in obedience t. this perious call we were ap-
pointed a committee to address you on the subject
We confess that VIC, and those whom we repre-
sent having an official connection with our Schools
resolved this course at the expense of considera
BILE delicacy of feeling; but in the Providence of
God, we are placed as watchers over an interest of
vital Importance to the welfare Of our beloved coun
try, and the plain and paramount obligations spring
ing cut of this relation override all other considera
lions.
solemn and the most important which can happen
in the political history of people.
The contest in which the Confederate States Of
America are engaged is not Il war growing out of
questions of commerce or political complications
it is struggle for national existence and indepen
dence and involving in the issue all that affect
the life of a civilized people.
1t requires therefore, for its successful prosecn-
ton, the enlistment of the mind and heart of all
ages of both sexes. of Every class of the people
and the continual aid in their proper places. of all
those energies and appliances, moral and physical
which, under God, constitute and preserve the Vi
tality and power of a nation.
We rejoice to believe that the valor and patriot
ism of our citizens, and that enthusiasm which
springs from firm conviction of the Justice of their
cause will render them invincibe in the open field;
but when we remember our former position with
respect to our adversaries, and the purposes and
feelings which actuate them, we have reason
to fear that the result of battles unless ovcrwhelm-
come, drive them from their deliberate and most
selfish aims.
These two hostile nations were formerly one po-
ltical community, living under common Consttu.
ton, which, IN words, guaranteed equal rights to
all and the people of the saveholdng States being
mostly engaged in agricultural pursuits and looking
upon their whole country as one in interest," and re-
posing confidence in the good faith and loyalty of
each member to the Federal Compact. were not
afraid to rely on the Northern section for many of
those things which, by little temporary sacrifice,
they could furnish among themselves.
They felt pride in the prosperity of every por-
tion Of their country, and justly believing that all
honest interests identified with each other they
had no desire to force their pursuits and customs on
Others and were willing to encourage in other States
useful arts and vacations not common to themselves
= The result was that the South became almost
wholly producing people, and the business of ex-
changing and manufacturing was left to the North.
From this it naturally followed that the CONNER
cia centres were in the Northern section and there
were printed the newspapers in most extensive cir
culation, and there books were generally manu-.
featured
Still fearing no evil, and feeling no inferority, we
were inclined to patronize the schools and the teach
ers of the Northern States-and in time we began
to look to the people of these States for supplies of
everything except the raw produce of the soil.
From this state Of things, those who now seek
our subjngaton by force of arms we're led to believe
that we were an inferior race and as they furnish.
cd to US teachers books and all the productions of
art they became more and more arrogant and exact
ing and at last assumed to themselves the exclusive
right to determine the political relation of the whole
country at the same time giving us distinctly to un-
derstand that they would do 1t in a way utterly
subversive Of our dearest rights and interests.
We had been almost wholly dependent on the
North for many Of our supplies, but conscious of
our political and intellectual equality We felt no
disgrace until it was solemnly asserted that what
we regarded as the natural interests of trade, in
volsed and ought to involve moral degradation
and the consequence is lnalterabe resolution on
the part of nearly all the holding States to Or
sanize themselves into new and separate nation
atty.
This step. successfully maintained, entails upon
the United States not merely the loss of large por
ton Of its territory and Of its people, but it implies
that those who constitute the new nationality must
it they become free people and separate and in
dependent power, assume to themselves functions
which will despoil their present enemies of impor-