Newbern weekly progress., 1862-01-28


Martial law has been proclaimed in New
bern. W wish it were the case iii Goldsbc-
ro' Wilmington and Raleigh 1t pokcs stick
in the hornets nest-thc little nest Of traitors,
for such are extortoners, false newsmongers
and the like.
1t is very strange that there sho2ld not be
in NeWbern, a town renowned for the most
ancient and honorable records of patriotism
and intelligence, should have none of the for
mcr corruScations Of its glory in exhibition at
this time; for such would be the case if the
wise and noble efforts, ma lie there at this time,
are done without a cause. Yes traitor, 'reliable
gentleman" what not, convince the people
that all these things useless, and you
steal the pillars Of allegiance from our holy
| cause.
We clip the foregoing paragraphs from tie
Goldsboro Tribune and confess they rather puZ-
zle u.s. We acknowledge that our head feels
a little dull and out of fix, and it may be that
our comprehension is too blunt for them. We
don't drink anything, but then we have not
| slept much for several days and not in
condition to understand difficult language-
What does it mean? Is martial law declared
! here ? Who declared it? The military authorl-
ties disclaim having done it, and we have seen
nothing to justify such conclusion. Everybody
| thinks what he pieases and is as much at lib
erty to say what he pleases here anywhere
in the State. 1t is true few individeals have
been prevented from leaving here by railroad
! that institution having been surrendered to
| the military, for the time being, for military
purposes.
If to restrain men, who are subject to militia
ry duty, and force them against their will to
render such duty, is, necessarily, the re-
suit of a declaration Of martial law, then
tial law is certainly in force here, for such res
traints and compulsions have happened in
| few instances and but few.
As to the second paragraph above quoted,
we give it up. The rhetorical and orthograph-
ical constructions are both too hard for us.
While upon this subject, however, we beg
leave very respectfully to enter protest
against certain restraints which have been ex
crcised here recently. We have reference to
the restraining of persons not subject to nlil-
tary duty. Of course it is right TO force all
men subject to duty to perform that duty, i!
force is necessary, but persons who are exempt
by law as we'll as by every principal of com-
mon justice, christianity and humanity, should
be as free now as at any other time.
There seems to be some difference of fopinlon
as to who is released. We neither a judge
nor expoundcr of law, but do claim to have
some idea Of the meaning of language, and, az
ter a careful reading Of the Militia Law Of the
State we conclude that if Ministers Of the
Gospel, and persons under eighteen and over
fifty years Of age, are not exempt that there
is no meaning IN language. And it is perfect
ly reasonable, right and proper, that they
should be, and we confess we would suspect
the intelligence of any Legislative body who
would enact laws to the Contrary.
Any law that would force the gray headed
sires of our beloved old State into the ranks,
who, with their stiff.ned joints and tottering
frames, are toplng over the brink Of tie grave
after long life Of usefulness to their country
r would present an outrage upon common
humanity, disgraceful and appalling TO human
sensibility To determine whether boys should
be forced into the service not we only have
to refer to the sentiments of JEFF. Davis himself
on that subject, "no wise husbandman vii
=, commit the rash act of grinding up his seed
+ corn"
i As to the clergy we hold without fear o
successful contradiction, that to force them IN
j to the service would be an act of gross injus
+ tic9 and fragrant outrage upon our holy re
= lieion. 1t would be unjust, because the laws
: of the State deny them the privilege Of legis
: lating If they cannot be trusted to sit in th'
legislative halls of the State, then the, should
Y not be forced TO bear arms, or, if to occupy
seats in Legislative bodies, would be degrading
to their high ministerial functions, their posi-
tions in the ranks of The soIdery of the count.
) ) would be much more degrading, SO that jus
tice will not sanction the measure in eli he
0 case.
l. 1t would he an insult to our Holy religion
d because all our hopes of future success, as
= nation, are based upon the maintenance of th
n principles of our commcn christianity. Th
e United States government, while it coaducte
the affairs Of the nation upon the principles {
o the Bible, and its rulers were God fearin
men, outstriped every other nation ea cart
Y in the dcyelopemeut OF ali lie importar