Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-04-26
MEMORIAL.


the State Convention by the Yearly Meeting Of
Friends, on the subject of bearing arms -
At stated Mectin. for SuiFerngS representing
North Carolina Yearly Meeting Of Friends, held at
Deep RIve-, the l4th Of Fourth Month, 1862, the
subject of present sufferingS, account of
conscientious ScruplcS against bearing arms, claim
ing the deliberate consideration Of the Meeting and
believing it right to embrace privilege to petit
ton those in authority, We therefore adopt the fol-
lowing:
To the Convention of North Carolina,
in COnreHtiOn assembled:
Your petitioners respectfully shew that it is one
of our fundamental religious principles to bear
faithful testimony against all wars and fightings,
and that in consequence cannot aid in carrying
on any carnal war.
This is no new principle of our Society but one
which was adopted at its RISE the doctrine taught
by our Saviour and followed by his disciples for
more than two hundred years, and has ever been
and is now held as one Of fundamental and vital
principles, and one that We cannot yield compro-
mise in any degree whatever.
We would further Shew that the whole number
Of our members in the Confederate States is less
than Ten Thousand, while in the United States the
number probably exceeds Two Hundred Thousand
who bear the same testimony against all wars and
fightingS; and that in every nation and cline where
our Society exists, 1T is at this day. as heretofore,
maintaining this precious principle of Peace, anu
that every where in this respect speak the same
Language, and mind the same thing.
We may further shew, that according to the best
information we can obtain, until The present time,
Friends of North Carolina have not been called on
TO aid in the battle field military camp, but now
our peaceful principles are in measure dsregarded
and many of our members drafted to take part
in the conflicting armies, while we understand that
our brethren in the United States are not.
We have enlisted under the banner of the Cap
tam of our souls salvation Jesus Christ the Prince
of Peace; therefore, in obedience to his express
command we cannot fight, or aid directly or indi-
rectly in any carnal wars. But your petitioners
would represent to you that we believe it to be
moral and religious duty to submit to the govern
ment uuder which we "e and To the laws and powers
that be. or suffer patiently their penalties.
We love our homes and our country much but
at the same time we love our religious principles
more; therefore your petitioners would most re-
spectfully ask that you grant US the enjoyment Of
this important religious principle.
We own no God but the God of Love- Truth,
Peace, Mercy and Judgment whose blessings We
invoke and whose wisdom We imr lore to be with
you IN your Legislative deliberations.
Signed on behalf and by direction Of the meeting,
NATHAN +. SPENCER, Clerk.
The following extrIct from the Minutes of the
half yearly meeting of Friends, held in Richmond,
Va, the 10th of October last, was also adopted by
the Yearly meeting held at Deep River, April 14th,
1862:
" Being thus careful to abstain from war, and
every thing connected with war; we cannot con.
scientiously pay any fines that may be imposed
upon US, individually, for performance of militia
ry duty but rather quietly submit to have the value
Of the same distrained by the proper officer yet
do we pay all taxes imposed on us as citizens and
property holders, in common with other citizens,
remembering the injunction, "Tribute to whom
tribute is due, custom to whom custom )" believing
that upon the Government rests the responsibility
Of how they expend this tribute or custom nor
do our views prevent us from contributing our
mite toward the relief OF the sick and suffering (sol
diers as we'll as Others but on the contrary we
feel required ofus like the good Samaritan, to bind
up the wounds of any we may find by the way side,
to feed the hungry clothe the naked, and pray for
enemies even though they may have despitefully
used and prosecuted u.s."