Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-12-17

Mr.. Grissem said he ceuM not determine in his
mind whether the amendment to his bill offered BY
the gentleman from Northampton, Mr.. Stancil, was
bona tide or in Jest WIGS
Mr. Stancil stated that it offered in good faith
and that his bill spoke for ITSELF
Mr. Grissom replied, SO it did, and as it spoke so
loudly against ITSELF he would not waste the time of
the House in considering it The bill proposed by
the majority of the committee however he said con-
tanned principles and propositions of serious import
and great magnitude; 1t proposed to raise a corps
for State defence, BY transcription upon conscrp-
ton: He said that it was conceded that North Car
DINA had furnished mere troops, in proportion to
population, for the general service than any other
State in the Confederaey. Whether this be strictly
true or not she had properly responded to all calls
, upon her patriotism for the common defence; that
she had poured out her population in volunteering
and conscription until many sections of the State
were so nearly depopuated that ruin and starvation
stared them in face; scarcely sufficient reserve
had been left at home many places for the police
regulations and support of the defenceless. But
ruinous as this policy had been to every public and
private interest we had submitted to twith prompt
ness and he did not now propose to resist by con-
flict. He proposed to enlist this corps auxiliary
in the common cause. The general government al
lows and receives forces for special service and local
cial service in the defence of North Carolina such
being the case, he asked why there should be con-
ct of State and Confederate authority; it certainly
did not violate the spirit if it did not agree with the
exact letter Of the conscript law.
He said that the defence of Eastern North Caro-.
lima and the great thoroughare through its section
was a matter of national Importance. The defence
of Richmond, the safety Of our army and the fate
Of Virginia depended upon it. He said that he had
too much confidence in the liberaty of the Confed-
crate Government to suppose that they would make
an issue either in act or feeling.
He feared that the additional CONSUMPTION pro-
posed by the sill of the majority would disorganize
us as State and people.
The majority bill he said was Objectionable in
many of its details it did not exempt those officers
necessary to carry on the State Government He
said that ifa Military Dictator should arise, he would
like to know to whom the Governor would look Tor
aid in supporting the State sovereignty, with no
Legislature and no Executive officers to stand by
him to maintain civil liberty Would we be prepared
to surrender these guarantees and go into Anarchy
He said again that he had no fear of conflict either
with the government the general officers appoint
ed by the two governments.
He contended that volunteering was more in &C.
cordance with the spirit and genius of insttu-
tons, and thought if the people would not volunteer
in their own detence-their own affairs and resides
then was our fate sealed and our liberties gone.
The question was then put and Mr.. Stancils SUBJ
StItute was lost
MT. feISoh Teplieu 10 Mr. u s. REMARKS ana mace |
an extended argument against Mr.. G's bill and in ia
vor of the original bill.
Mr. Fowle replied to Mr.. Person He was for
carrying out the conscript law in its general fea-
lures, but could not why North Carolina should
be denied the privilege of raising reserve corps,
when other States in the Confederacy had done so
and had not thereby been brought in conflict with
the Confederate government He said, too, to en-
force the conscrpt law literally in this State would
not only greatly inure the State, but would mate
rally affect the common cause by taking out that
portion of the producing classes that was necessary
to remain to sustain both people ct home and the |
army in the field Mr.. F. spoke at length
Mr.. Person replied to the remarks of Mr.. Fowe. |
On motion of Mr.. Burgin, the bill reported by the
minority was ordered to be printed and the same
made the special order for - o'clock, Wednesday.
Mr.. Ams from the committee of conference on
the bill to prohibit the dlstlation of grain, &C.,
made report which was concurred in by the House.
On motion the House adjourned until 10 o'clock,
Wednesday.