Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-04-16

arm directly over the barrier of State sovereignty
into the local Jurisdictions and gather her forces
and her means without the intervention of the State
governments, then let US at once abandon all no.
tons Of State Rights Let us abolish the State
governments and consolidate. 1t is vain to hold to
q theory and abandon the practice To my mind it
is clear, if the General Government has power to
raise and support armies the States have the right
to prescribe the manner in which this is TO be done
The armies must be raised through the medium of
the State governments, and not directly by the
Confederate Government 70 raise them otherwise,
if constitutional, (Which dsny) is not expedient
r. But Of all the questionable (not to say unwar-
rantcd) stretches Of authority to which have al
uded seems to me to deserve such serious at
tenton as that of forcbly taking private arms for
public use. Such acts are not only palpably un-
constitutional, but they are exceedingly dangerous
Dangerous, because they not only evince total
disregard OF one of the dearest and most ancient
rights of the citizen, but because such policy it
rigidly enforced, leaves the people totally unpre
pared to ward off whatever dangers may threaten
them at their own homes depriveS them of the
means of protecting their own families and hea: tn
stones, and leaves them open to the assaults and in
suits Of any reckless and lawess set Of men of
whatever character who may feel disposed to take
advantage Of their defenceess condition.
These things should not be so, nor does the pub
lie safety require it. On.the contrary the pu lie
safety requires that in times of war; as we'll as IN
times OF peace, all the ancient landmarks and con-
stitutonal guarantees Of liberty should be OBJ
| served We should be cautious that, in striving
for the casket wherein our jewel of liberty is con-
tained we do not lose the jewel itself All history
proves that people are more IN danger of losing
their liberty while struggling to maintain it, than
they are when their liberty is not threatened from
without. Necessity is the plea of tyrants; and a
people invaded and threatened by foreign foe, are
easily led to abandon their individual rights, under
the persuasion that only thus can the safety of the
whole te secured
great calamity is upon u.s. A willy and vndic-
tive foe turks upon borders, watching every on.
portunity, and avaing himself of every means to
ruin and ssbdue US. Our very existence as an in
| dependent people is in danger. We must use every
legitimate means, and make every proper sacrifice
| to avert the impending calamity. No mere forms
Of right should be suffered to impede our efforts
No necessary hardshIps and privatons should be
avoided No spirit OF discomfort should be allowed
to come in our way. All our strength, all our re-
sources, all We have left but liberty itself should be
cheer!ufiy brought forward and offered upon our
country's altar. But while battling for liberty in
'front.' we must not neglect to guard and protect her
rear; lest when we think we have obtained her SUBJ
stance we find but her shadow. Then let US emu
late the conduct OF the skilful mariner at sea- who
does not neglect the teachings of his art because he
may he overtsken by storm. On the contrary, he
feels more than usually solictous to bring to his aid
all the advantages Of his skill and experience. Let
| US, therefore, be more than usually solictous in
these times Of trial, to preserve intact all those
rights and privileges, without which liberty itself
ceases to be enjoyed, and independence will be use
less Let US uatch as well as fight; for efforts
in behalf of our distressed country will benz the
less effective because they are directed by an en-.
lightened regard for the rights of the people and
the rights of the States 1t is to awaken this spir
it of watchulnesS and to caution and not to excite
! undue jealousy or distrust that these lines are
written SEKTO.
! Roxboro', April 10th, 1852