Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-12-25
The Test Oath.

A correspondent of the Washington Dispatch from
this CITY, gives the following account Of Mr. Biggs'
Test Oath Ordinance. The manner I'm which the
Convention disposed of that matter will doubtless be
satisfactory the people. In the sequel, so odious
had the ordinance become but few "fire eating
secessionists would soil their fingers with it.
Judge Biggs' bantling was choked to DEATH and he
retired from the scene The Dispatch correspondent
says:
Judge Biggs Of Martin, introduced into the Con-
venton the other day an ordinance defining Scdi-
tion" and providing for the punishment thereof and
also requiring every male citizen in the State, over
sixteen years Of age, to 80 before a magistrate and
take and subscribe an oath of fidelity to North Car
DINA and the Confederate Government The meas
ure is justly regarded here the most abominaLle
of all the denominations that have existed in the
Southern Confederacy. 1t is certainly calculated to
do irremediabe mischief in the land it would pro.
duce rreconcilable divisions among our people, and
end in civil strife here at home. We are now all
united in one determination to maintain the Southern
Conederacy, to repel the invading foe and drive him
from cur soil. We have proved that union and
determination by sending over thirty.,fce thousand
brave soldiers to the field, and we have .ftty thou
sand more ready to 60 whenever needed. Fathers
have given up their sons, wives have given up their
their brothers, as they have bid them 60 to the bat
tlefeld, and ALL all have contributed most patrioti-
cally of their means to sustain 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
camI, 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-
patration and conscation in the other and says to
Them take This oath, or leave this country. Sir,
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 cngulphed
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 "ire.eating Seces.
sionists" that advocate it, and it is but dim FORE
shadowng Of what that class would do if they were
only in full power. Their reckless, partizan policy
and proscrtioe practices fast calling down upon
them the just indignation of the honest conservative
men Of the State, who believe that in this hour Of
trial to country there should be no party
feeling, and division, and dstrust 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 win continue to
spread until the illibera narrow minded policy and
changed to q more just and generous system
Whether such change can be expected, without q
change Of men, remains to be seen.