Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-04-24
I" We must Fight!o

The proclamation of Mr.. Lincoln has left to the
people Of the border States no alternative but re-
sstance unconditional submission. The South
ern man who would quietly submit to the doctrines
enunciated in that document is fit only for slave.
We do not go behind that document and it is not
our purpose to go behind it long this shall
last. We have labored for peace on honorable
terms,-we would hail it now, on honorable terms,
with profound satisfaction; but, much as We depre-
cate war, aoar must be encountered and must be
continued as long the foot of federal soldier
rests on soil.
1t is true, the odds appear to be against US. The
army and navy are in the hands of the old federal
government That government, too, has name
among the nations. 1t has the command of more
ready means for offensive purposes in the way of
money men and arms than the South has; and the
non-slaveholding States which uphold it have a
common head around which to rally in their onset
on the South. The latter section has but a small
army-indeed no regular army-and it has no navy.
1t has government of seven States unrecognized
among the nations, and eight separate State govern
ments making common cause with the former. But
though the odds are against u.s. they are not near
great as between England and the colonies The
slavehodng States bring into the field mil
lion of fighting men, brave as ever charged bay
onet or drew sword These men can be supported
by those who remain at home, and by the labor of
slaves. The South can support and lire .oithin
ITSELF 1t can furnish itself with every article ne
cessary for subsistence and it wants no uxuries at
time like this. In addition to this our people will
fight for Constitutional liberty against arbitrary pow
er-for their homes and hearthstones, and it may be-
for existence. Such people cannot be conquered.
They may be overrun-their country may be laid
waste, and their blood may flow like water but they
can no more be "subjugated" than the winds or
the sea.
People of North Carolina! call has been made
for volunteers. Virginia and Maryland are encoun-
tering the first burst of the Storm Their people
are reused and ready for action but they must have
aid. If we would keep the battle from our own
doors we must unite with Virginia, Maryland, Ken
lucky, and Tennessee in offensive operations A
united and vigorous demonstration may lead to an
honorable peace, but, failing in that, it will place
us in line with an adequate force to sustain our
sister States. The Confederate States will perform
their whole duty. The legions that conquered at
Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Contreras and Cheru-
busco will soon turn their faces norhward to unite
their efforts with their allies of the border States
The constituted authorities of the State have called;
let our citizen soldiery answer. They will! One
heretofore for peace and the Union comes forward
to say to you that this is ust and honorable 1t
is which could not have been avoided. 1t has
been forced upon us. We must fghtI Prove your
selves worthy of those who fought and fell at the
Alamance and Kings's Mountain, and of those who,
surviving, toiled and suffered through years
war. Fanaticism and unjust power are one
side" God and our native land" are on the other
And may He who rules in the armies of heaven,
and who disposes of men and nations, nerve every
arm for the battle and give victory to those who
are struggling for all they hold dear