Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-01-01
The Test Oath.
COLUMBUS County, N. c., Dec. %, 1861.


". W. Holden, Esq
DEAR Sir: was born and raised in this State,
and have lived in Columbus County for many years
an humble farmer, and q small slaveowner, and
feel myself somewhat aggreved at the lawess con-
duct of some Of our county-ren. They are going
ahead of Convention, Legislature and everything
else here Our tax collector advertised for us all
70 attend on certain day to give in our list of taxa
bles to a man appointed to receive the lists Ac-
cordingly We met for the purpose of giving in our
lists as We thought When he swore us to our
lists he annexed the oath of allegiance to the Con-
iederae States of America. He was asked if he had
any law for such oath, and his reply was it made
no difference. ask now, if it does not make dit
ference? If there law for it. is there no law
against such an outrageous assault upon honest cit
liens of the County who born and raised in the
County and lived in it all their ves-some Of them
over fifty years? ask is there redress, and are
we bound quietly to submit to such outrage?-
We are law abiding people, and believe the peo-
pie of Columbus County generally, to be as loyal to
the State and the COnederacy as any in the State,
and all we ask is justice.
Such is the and substance in this case, and if
you think proper to publish it you will please put
1t IN proper form, as am not accustomed to write
for publication G..
Our correspondent is correct in saying that the
assessor had right to administer the oath of ale
glance Such conduct outrage on the good
people Of Columbus who had assembled to give in
their lists. The collectors themselves required
by law to take all oath to support and defend the
Constitution of the Confederate States but neither
they the assessors have the right to administer
such oath to the people. The people of this State
are true to the Confederate States and any attempt
to administer test oaths" &c them will be repealed
with indignation The collector or assessor who
did this thing in Columbus, was no doubt governed
by the example of few spirits in the State Conven-
ton, who so earnestly pressed that body to pass
ordinance to swear the people of this State. We
have no hesitation in saying that the collector
assessor referred to- who has thus overstepped the
law, no matter from what motive, should be prompt
" removed from Office
MANUFACToRIEs OF THE SoUTH.-The blockade is
producing fine influence upon the energy of our
people throughout the South North Carolina is
not behind other States in this work. Factories of
different kinds going up in various parts of the
State. Our wooden and cotton factories are doing
finely. Our wool factories producing splendid
gun factories in operation. Wilmington is doing
her part in the production Of sundry articles Tan
neres, shoe,making, hat making, &c. are going on
Should the blockade continue a year or two, orr
people will produce almost every article for which
we have been hitherto dependent upon the North
Gen. Scott, who went to Europe in the Arago
few weeks ago, after apendng few days in France
has returned to New York in the same steamer
Rumor has it that he teegraphed to the government