Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-12-21
The Test Oath.

A correspondent of the Washington Dispatch from
this city. gives the following account of Mr. Biggs'
Test Oath Ordinance. The manner fn which the
Convention disposed Of that matter will doubtless be
satisfactory to the people. In the sequel so odious
had the ordinance become, but few fire eating
secessionists would soil their fingers with it.
Judge Bggs' bantling was choked to DEATH and he
retired from the The Dispatch correspondent
says:
Judge BiggS, of Martin introduced into the Con-
venton the other day an ordinance defining "Sedi-
ton, and providing for the punishment thereof and
also requiring every male citizen in the State over
sixteen years of age to 20 before a magistrate and
take and subscribe oath of fidelity to North Car
DINA and the Confederate Government The meas
ure is justly regarded here the most abomindble
Of all the denominations that have ever existed in the
Southern Contcderacy 1t is certainly calculated to
do irTemediable mischief 1.-THE land; it would pro-
duce irreconcilabe divisions among our people, and
end in civil strife here at home. We are now all
united in one determination to maintain the Southern
Confederacy, to repel the invading foe and drive him
from our SOIL We have proved that union and
determination by sending over thirty.1iUe thousand
brave soldiers to the field and we have ffty thou
sand more ready to go whenever needed Fathers
have given up their sons wives have given up their
husbands, sisters have imprinted farewell kiss upon
their brothers, they have bid them 60 the bat
tle-ield and ALL all have contributed most patrioti-
cay of their to sustain our cause and provide
for the destitute families of those who have gone.
Hundreds Of fathers have been seen standing over
the graves of their departed sons, vino fell amidst
the clash of arms, or by disease from exposure in
camp, and there wept almost tears of blood for the
loss of their beloved sons yet these fathers can't
be trusted! their FIDELITY is questioned; they must
be sworn; the magistrate goes to them with the
book and the oath in one hand and the writ of ex-
patriaon and coniscation in the other, and says to
them, take this oath, or leave this country. Sir, a
feeling of desperation would rise up in the breast of
these aged fathers that would speak from man to
man, until whole communities would be engulphed
in flame that nothing but blood could quench.
am glad to inform you, Mr.. Editor that the measure
meets with no favor from the conservative members
of the Convention; it is only the re-eating Secs
sionists" that advocate it and it is but dim FORE
shadowing of what that class would do if they were
only in full power. Their reckless, partizan policy
and prOscrpire practices fast calling down upon
them the just indignation of the honest conservative
men Of the State, who believe that in this hour Of
severe trial to our country there should be party
feeling and division, and distrust, and suspicion
among our people, but that mutual good will and
harmonious action should characterize our efforts in
the present struggle and that conservative senti-
ment Mr.. Editor, is spreading and will continue to
spread until the illibera minded policy and
practices of those in authority shall have been
changed to a more just and generous system.
Whether such change can be expected without a
change OF men, remains to be seen. ..' -'''