Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-03-05

U" the ord;nones to prohibit for a limited tims,
tho naan9taeture Of -iSpiritaous L;quors
&. Mk PsEsnEr:-I cannot 10 justice to my own
.ssa.ngs and IN justice to humanity and human lib
wy, aiow this subject to pass off without making
soue remarks, and hope therefore, that The Con.
sent,on VIII indulge me while do So The amend
en. onered oy the delegate from Guilford, proposes
~ 'evy TAX on distilleries. To this am opposed,
because am opposed to every temporizine policy'
believing such policy does more barn thsn enod
Every mountain man knows that wounded besr Is
the most dangerous Of bears. The only sale rethed
to deal with bear is either to allow him to 20 free
and unwounded, or cut his head off. This Is what
we propose to do with John Barleycorn." he has
shown good deal of the disposition of the bear.
ana the only safe treatment is to let him 60 tree or
chop his head of.
But sir, there is another. view Of this subject
which demands special attention. and It seems tom
ought to commend itself to every patriotic heart
understand patriotism to be love of country, and
patriotic conduct to be that which produces the
greatest amount of good to the whole and especially
to the helpless. And now, sir, undertake to say,
that the real issue before US, is an issue between
bread and whiskey. 1t is, indeed, life and death
struggle ST. Let US apply this to the case in hand.
The present signs all indicate that most of our rc.
corn lands in the neghborhood of our coast cannot
90 cultivated by our people during the coming SUM
mer Yes sir, and but utter the prevailing senti.
ment OF this Convention when say, that from pres
ent appearances the slaves in our counties border
ing on the coast, must either leave there before
planting time, or be captured by the enemy. Where
then shall they 60: To the interior, of course
When brought to the midland counties, how are
they to be provided for if the corn be distilled into
whiskey? And, again sir, if those productive lands
upon the coast be cut off from our next years pro-
ducts pray tell me where supplies for our white
ana save population are to come from for the next
year? These are questions which desire gentlemen
to answer. The enemy is now invading our territory
upon the coast Our eastern brethren are in distress
We have all agreed by act of secession and 9th.
erwise to aid them in this desperate struggle against
the invading foe-to maintain their rights of person
and property, and defend their homes. Then sir,
when driven from their homes, they come with their
families and slaves amongst their brethren of the
interior, hungry and faint If the corn be all dis
titled, what will you say to them? Will you say,
We have corn, no bread, but here is whiskey,
drink and live? This sir, would be mockery of
humanity. These, Mr.. President are the reasons
why am in favor Of this measure. Let everything
be done that be done to husband our resources,
and strengthen US for the great struggle and let
struggle on until We shall gain complete emanci-
patton from the Lincoln tyranny.
Mr.. President, If there is any one subject that
touches my heart with supreme power in the
midst of this struggle, it is the wants and suferngs
of the widow and orphan-the wives and children
of our brave soldiers III the field. Whatever mill.
tates against them I am opposed to. Widows and
orphans are being daily increased amongst us from
the disease incident to camplfe and BY death in the
battle field 1t is to provide for these, that desire
to prevent the dstillation of our breadstus Shall
We take the bread from these and convert it into
whskcy? Is this, sir, the way in which we arc
going to prosecute the under our second declar.
alton of independence? No sir, let the friends Of
the soldier who has left his wife and helpless chill
dren in order that he may drive back the foe, to
it. that the corn of the country be not converted
into whiskey instead of being furnished to these
helpless for bread. feel that every sacrifice
ought to be made for these noble men, their wives
and children-their widows and orphans, and for
our independence and national liberty, that can be
made. Whatever can husband our resources, and
strengthen in the present crisis, l am ready to
adopt and this should be the measure of patriot
ISM Sir, where is the heart that can stand the ap
peals of suffering innocence for bread-the eloquent
pleading Of tears for the life Of suffering, perishine
| children! The original ordinance which provides
for prohibition, pleads the cause of humanity, th'
soldier, the widow and orphan, the breadless ant
helpless, and as such constitutes an element o
strength in this struggle for independence 1t i!
with this view of it that I shall SUPPORT the ordi
J nance as presented by the delegate from Orange
and cannot see why every true patriot may not
cheerfully support it as war measure-a measure in
which our power to resist the enemy and our sue
cess are deeply involved.