Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-06-08
POLICY OF THE SQUADS.
For the Standard.

Mr.. EDITOR: As public journalist and patriotic
conservative man, l desire to submit to you the
question whether or not the issue that has given rise
to the present unhappy, and disastrous condition of
once happy and prosperous country is likely to
be settled, and how ? whether by negotiation or by
an appeal to arms? If so, why attempt to divert
the public mind from the momentous question by
the twaddle about minor matters? Let us raise
bread and meat and manufacture fire arms, powder
and balls for patriotic soldiers and end this
fortunate strife first ifneeds be- by appeal to arms.
This must be done first and then we may afford to
talk about matters of less moment.
We have an implacable enemy to repel from South
ern soil. The huge Anaconda of the North has
spread its ponderous folds the soil of Virginia.
Alexandria and many other points within the bor-
ders of that State in the possession of the federal
army. Why is this? Is it because the Attorney
General has decided that Alexandria rghtfully be-
longs to Mr.. Lincoln's government by virtue of the
deed of cesson made by Virginia to the general gov
eminent? If that be the excuse for submitting to
the ndgnity, then why not yield the issue at once,
for the same public functonary has decided that
State has right to secede from the federal govern
ment?
If those who have the destinies of the South in
hand are disposed to abide the decision of Mr.. Lin
coins Cabinet officers the people ought to know it
if not, let us awake from our lethargy We are now
in the coils of the hideous monster, and unless we
eject him from soil and that speedily the result
will be magnificent farce; conquest without resis-
lance or bloodshed. But say those who have the
direction of public affairs we are acting purely on
the defensive; we will not wage war ofaggresson
upon Northern brethren all we ask is to be let
alone in the exercise of our constitutional rights;
we have thrown ourselves back upon our reserved
rights; we stand there and intend to defend our
selves at all hazards This the talk ; have they
done it? If not, and men honest there is GER
tainly good reason for it. and that is what those
hav inhf fos Gpnu t-ho in hroo S,.l
fought fanaticsm and secessionism until they were
overwhelmed by the treachery and usurpation of
our constitutional rights by President Lincoln; who
buckled on the armor of war and staked their lives
their fortunes and their sacred honor in defence of
the rights of the South, their iresides their wives
and little ones who are ready at moments warn
ing to march either to victory or DEATH
If the views held and the representations made by
the precipitators be correct that Lincolns myrmi-
dons are q craven-hearted soul-less Remembering
and hell-deyng set of scape- graces in the name of
high heaven give us an honorable DEATH rather than
an unconditional surrender into the hands and at the
mercy OF such tiends in human shape. Why such
state of inactivity? Is it the result of fatal hal
lucnation of mind on the part of those who have
the direction of public affairs? If So the sooner the
destinies of the South transferred into the hands
OF more competent men the better. 1t will be not
only for her good but for the whole civilized world.
Such vascillating bragadocia, gasconading, twad-
uhhS course won 90. w e want men adequate TO-
the emergency. We want common sense, compe-
tent discreet energetic, patriotic men that know
their duty and dare do it and not the that have
been clamoring for war and bloodshed, but who now
very graciously refuse to shoulder the implements
of death and breast the raging pillows of civil war
but are seen skulking about high places, seeking
office at the hands of men who are making the ap-
pointing power political engine. In the language Of
the exotic Editor of the State Journal they ought
to be remembered" but in very different light
not as patriots but towards and traitors to the
best interests of the South. If the complexion
of the times is good index to the future the exotic
Editor not the only man in the South that believes
they ought to be remembered, not by the emolu-
mens of Office but by the execrations of our injur-
ed and indignant people. a
The freemen of North Carolina will not brook the
insults offered her most distinguished and patriotic
citizens and soldiers as has been done by those
high in authority and their agents and serfs whose
brainless heads and soulless bodies know no higher
aspirations than that of party prescription and par
ty promotion. MIDDLE CREEK.