Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-08-17

to some of these we would respectfully and ear
nestly call your attention. d.
In the present condition of things in this world,
wars are often necessary and justifable; and such
is the contest in which the people Of the Confederate
States are now engaged.
Nevertheless every warts attended with tempo
rary evils and 1t remains with those who conduct
il to din;aiSh or ReutralZe them by means and APP
planes which God puts wit hin their reach. NO
such struggle could be just il it entaied evils which
could not be prevented and which, IA aaorai sense
would overbalance the benefits; bat we are not OF
those who believe that for the defence of our
homes and for such insttut tOns, religious and po-
litical those with which we blessed is in IT.
self Of such character. les hazards 10 the moral
condition of things are undoubtedly great; but for
this very it ought to prove an advantage to
society, 10y giving vigorous and heathful exercise
to all the moral faculties of the community. If we
equal to this occasion, we will feel that there
devoived upon us the greatest responsible
ties which Christian pee pie are ever called upon to
discharge; and if we wilt be endowed with the SEN
timentS which ought to animate US, We will carry
on this war IN the pulpit in the scheo room, at the
Preside, and at every other point where we are
aSsailed by the great enemy of human progress
The minister, the parent, the teacher, and every
other labOrer in the moral vineyard will find this
foe encroachng upon the very grounds where he
has been stationed for defence; and in the minds
and hearts of our you ager children there is cita-
DEL whose possession, by good or bad principles, is
to be decisive of our future fate Upon this strong
hold the enemy will bring to bear all the subtle
devices Of his Internal genius and while our eyes
are wholly fixed on a distant field, an encampment
of evil principles may be fixed and fortified in the
very heart of hopes II cannot be expected that
the understandings of the very young will grasp
the great principles at stake ia our controversy
with the North; and while they are in the midst
Of the entertaining eXctementS Of war; and out
of view of its sterner realities there is great danger
that their minds will become disSipated, and that
they will acquire habits which it will be difficult to
eradicate, and which may unfit them for those great
and solemn trusts which will soon be devolved upon
IhcR.
Messy, without hesitation that all Che young men
who can serve their country in the field, and " no
are there needed should lie encouraged to'tste up
arms in defence of our common rights; bnt after
these have all lett schools there will still remain
= vast nambcr who old enough to learn, and %ill
lee learning something, whether we take pas to in
str,ict them in right ways or not.
We know that it is natural for the parent whose
heart is absorbed with the issues at~tsice in our
great contest for freedom ard independence, to i'm
agne that the reStesSness ofhi children originates
la feelings and thong hits kindred to his own; but
we would kindly ard respectfully submit, whether
the natural ndispoStion of the very young TO judi
ciouS restraints does not inStnctkey avail itself Of
thc confusion of the times and whether the excite
ruent Of this class fed by sights and sounds, only
exhilirating to them, can be long en- outraged with
serious injury to their fitcrewelfare and to the
and safety of the country of whose Ri hts
and liberties they are under God to be the guar
dams:
1t would be amcntsllc to think that the glorious
fruits by the valor, patriotism, and Christian
uianhood-by the toll endurance, and sacrifices OF
this generation, should be lost by being committed
20 the hands Of those who would have no conception
of the dignity and sUernnity of their trusts; and
permit to ASK IN all candor, if idenesS and ami
NAL excitement, Teigning unchecked among the very
young may not tend to such result?
1t is nJ sacrifice to children to release them from
moral restraints and from study and thus, if they
are to he free from proper educational influences
this day of trial and discipline to the parent will he
a day of jubilee and levity to his offspring; and
while the crisis will be developing the moral man.
hood Ct the former and fitting him for his task of
achieving, it will he facilitating and dwarfing the
mind and energies of the other, and rendering him
incapable Of the equally important task OF preserving
freedom.
Another consideration which we would, with de-
ference submit to the people of North Carolina is
the promising condition Of their educational system,
and the very intimate relations which it sustains
towards the material progress of the State.
Many Of the States Of the Southern COnfederacv
produce some leading agricultural staple in such
quantities as to insure to them wealth and power;
but the greatness of North Carolina consists her
diversified interests, and in the energy and skill ne
ceSsary to render them available. For the want Of
such energy and SKILL those interests were, for q
long time neglected, and our State was held back
and enfeeSed ~ the constant stream Of emigration;
but since educational influences have reached
the minds and hearts Of the masses, and our school
literature has been tincturcd with sentiments honor
able to NOrthC Carolina, the whole state of things
has been completely changed, and we have advanced
with more rapidity than any community on the con-
tinent. Behold, to-day the glorious generation Of
young men who have, with one heart and with many
thousands of strong arms, sprung into instant he
at the call OF their country and who, with the
chvalry of the world for generous rivals have in the
very outset Of this contest embazoned the name of
North Carolina high and iluStrouS above those OF
all her distinguished compeers.
How is the world, unfamiliar with what has been
going in the heart of society here, astonished at
the spectacle which we now present?
Let not forget the sources of this now healthy
and vigorous life in the body polite; let us wisely
remember that the schools and the school literature
of the State have been the great nurseries of the
popular energy and patriotism which now enable
her to take such proud position in the struggle for
Southern independence
The present war found this educational system,
in all its departments, from the University to the
Common Schools, just entering upon a prosperous
and most hopeful condition, becoming source Of
immediate pecunary profit to the State from foreign
patronage filling it with persons male and female,
prepared for usefulness in all the walks of life great
ly enhancing the amenities Of existence rapidly ele
waiting the tone of society among the ruling race,
creating and fostering love of home, and an inter-
est in its resources and institutions, and infusng
new life and energy into all the industrial pursuits
of the people: and now shall these lights that were
brightly burning from the Atlantic to the Allegha-
MES, throwing a cheerful radiance over the whole
face Of society, and exposing to our gaze the diver
sifed wealth and attractions of the goodly land
which God has given us, be suddenly extinguished
at the very time when darkness and consequent
confusion and mental depression will be our worst
enemies?
But again: it may be said that intellectual must
precede or sustain political independence-and We
certainly know that people who act on the thoughts
of others, not likely always to act for their own
interests.