Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-08-21

the enemy as soon as peace IS concluded to foodus
with his books at even half their usual cost and
thus it will then be almost impossible for us to
lsh and keep up our own publishing houses. 4
Now, there is a large class of text books which 4
every independent nation, if it would maintain its
independence, must have written and published oy I
its own citizens and the Southern States Of Amerl
Ca distinguished by peculiar social system, and
one obnoxious to the pharseeisln OF the world are
especially called on to think in such things tor
themselves, and to see that their children are In
structed out of their own writings
But,we 60 farther than this. Conscious that we
are not in any sense an inferior people, and firmly
convinced that our own position on the subject Of
slavery is the right one, contend that it is but
strict justice to ourselves think and write on some
subjects for other nations.
Truth is eternal and for all places and whenever
its conclusions are taught and enforced by our peo-
pie, whether in ply steal moral science We would
not crcumscribe its influence by the prefix of
name implying only sectional use or Importance.
The just defence ofour society implies condemna-
ton of that of many other nations and it is time
that we cease to occupy the attitude Of criminals
arraigned before the bar of civilization, and assume
our true position of teachers of the unalterable
truths of Revelation. H+
To explain what we mean, we would remark that
two opinions in regard to slavery generally Illus
trated in the habits of nations, and that in the
power holds offellow- creatures in subjec
ton, enjoying the fruits of their labor as renunera
ton for protection and the administration justice
among them. ..
The theory of our practice is that the superior
should adopt thcinferor member of his house
hold placing him under his own immediate super
vision, and that of his wife and children, where the
sympathies between man and man are brought into
active play where every want seen and felt for,
where every crime is discovered and punished, and
where the influences of religion and of constant
observation of the habits of higher civilization are
allowed to exert their educational and disciplinary
power
We hold, that if we are to have others in subjec-
ton to us at all, it must be in this way and that
system of personal servitude of this kind and for
whose origin We not responsible, is Unsuitable,
and the only kind Of permanent domination of race
over race that is justtiable by the light Of Gods
revealed Truth
In moral science we are to teach this doctrine
not merely for our own Defence but for the general
promotion of justice among men and as our politi-
cal and social system is put beyond the pale of its
sympathy by all modern literature, and can appeal
to nothing that is written but the infallible Word
Of God, SO would We have all institutions to dip
their roots in this Fountain of Living Waters.
1t is remarkable and anomalous fact that the
people Of the Confederate States are compelled to
cut loose from human teachings in defence of their
social condition. and are shut up to the Holy Scrip
lures; and in singular keeping with this state Of
things in the political world, is the present position
of our schools. We are now nearly out of text
books and are cut off from the publications of other
countries; and this We hail as mercifu Providence
for a miserably diluted morality, subtle semi
inlidelity had crept into almost every modern sys-
TEN of morals, and in fact ditfused its poison into
nearly all the teeming productions Of the press.
AS then, We have to begin to construct and defend
49, r. A.. ! r ~
us at once fill our schools with books which draw
all their ethical doctrines from this Divine source
and which make the incarnate Son OF God the centre
and sun of every moral system.
The want of books is immediate, practical
and pressing one; and to devise some means of
obviating this, was one of the objects of the Con-
ference which appointed US committee to prepare
this address,
At superficial glance this want would seem to
it is obvious to US, and must be to every rejecting
mind, that If We meet it with the proper spirit no.
thing could be more fortunate for US.
If We are ever cmancipated from thraldom to for
cgn influences, We must have our own authors and
our own publishers and when, We ask, could be a
better time to begin the experiment of independent
thought and action?
If our schools are kept up, they must be supplied
with books printed at the Southland thus, on the
existence of these schools depends the immediate
Enlistment of houses of publication. The first lit
erature that pays, in any country that for educa
tional purposes, this is prime necessity where
yer there are schools; and hence school system
is to be the patron which is to call into life new
and essential business at the South Bounties will
not stimulate healthy production; this always has
and always will depend on consumption.
In this respect our own beloved State enjoys
great and inestimable advantage; one hundred and
fifty thousand pupils attend her common schools
alone, and the works used in these schools arc ex-
actly such as the South in defence OF her rights and
honor, must produce for herself
II then this system be preserved unimpaired, here
is at market whose demands will call out en-
terprise and capital for the publication of books;
and the simple question in regard to textbooks with
teachers in our late Conference was, whether we
would encourage the reprnting OF books already in
use, encourage the production or original ones
1t was, after full debate, unanimously resolved to
pursue the latter course; that now, RIGHT NOW is
the time to begin the work of Southern independence
in fact as we'll as theory.
1t was determined to give the ordinance of seccs-
sion immediate and practical force by immediate
emancipation from actual dependence on the North;
and it was thought that there enough classical
books in the country to supply the schools for a
year more, and of English to last until 9TH
ers known to be on the way, were ready for use
It was felt by the teachers and we are authorized
to say for Them that if the people and authorities of
the State would endeavor to keep up its Schools the
teachers would answer for it, that before this is
concluded, unless it come to speedy termination,
the South will be writing and printing her own
books and to North Carolina will belong the honor
of taking the lead in this glorious work.
What field of future promise is here opened up
to our contemplation! Who cannot see at glance
that step now in the right direction, WILL by the
blessing of Providence, inevitably lead to the most
brilliant future for State whose name in the mast
has excited unjust taunts that have often and keen.
y stung the souls Of all her true and generous sons
There is tide now before us, which, taken at the
food will lead us on to fortune; and by this, and
the considerations before suggested, would most
earnestly appeal to you to make sacred and solemn
resolution to preserve and maintain at all hazards
those domestic springs on which so much of the
life of the present and future depends .as...-
We know that the pecuniary resources of the