Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-12-02
THE NORTH
Troops from North.caroIin ,,..

The figures will show that since the beginning of
the war, this State has sent EIGHTY THOUSAND
men to the field. Twenty thousand of these have
died, from wounds or disease, five thousand
are disabled for life, and five thousand are I'M
fit for duty-leaying about fifty thousand now in
service, and ready to meet the enemy From the
very first this State has been among the most for
ward and active in the war. Her blood and her
resources of all kinds have been poured out like
water in the cause, and for the most part, on the
soil of other States She has sent more volunteers
and more conscripts to the field, in proportion to
her population than any other State Those who
remain are not able to take care of the FARMS and,
on an average, not more than half crop can be
made next year. If the conscripts between So and
40 should be taken, we shall not only be destitute,
in great degree, of men to defend our seacoast,
but not more than one-third of crop will be made
next year. Good, full crops as essential 20 our
defence as men and munitions of war. If the peo-
pie at home are reduced starvation it will not be
in their power to aid the soldiers IN the field by
contributions of clothing, shoes, and the like; and
if the great mass of our people should be thus
reduced the wives and children of our soldiers will
suffer in common with them. And what is more,
if starvation should be imminent, great and
general suffering for food and raiment the people
will rise up and stop the war, let the consequences
be what they may. "He that hath ears to hear, let
him hear"
What, them is the remedy? We know of but
one, and that is to suspend the execution of the
CONSUMPTION law in this State, on persons between
35 and 40. Gov. Vance has no discretion in this
matter, If the General Assembly is SILENT or
fuses to act, he cannot disregard his obligation to
enforce the law, when called upon to do so by the
President; and even if he could and if he were to
do So the enrolling and collecting of the conscrpts
would devolve on Confederate officers, which might
lead to resistance and bloodshed. North Carolina
is a sovereign State. She has Frustrated herself
long enough at the footstoo Of Confederate power.
Let her demand what she has heretofore asked, and
she will get it. Let her insist that other States
shall do their duty before she is called upon to do
more; and especially, before she is required to sub
nit to act of Congress which provides for nearly
every class Of her people except the small farmers
and which establishes an odious oligarchic uncon-
stitutional, and most dangerous distinction between
the non-slaveholder and stakeholder, and between
the large and the small STAKEHOLDER.
We are not at all in doubt to what the people
wish and expect on this subject If President
Davis defends Richmond as we take it for granted
he WILL he can spare considerable body of troops
to defend our seacoast. He will protect Weldon,
for Weldon is the key t. P, .ersburg and Richmond;
but Weldon is but one locality of many liz the State
which are threatened If the whole of that part of
the State which lies east of the Wilmington and
Weldon Road should be overrun and desolated by
the enemy, as they have overrun and desolated
Chowan, and Gates, and Tyrrell and Hyde, and
Craven It will not make much difference what is
the destiny of the State thereafter. There eight
to ten thousand men in this State between So and
40 Let them be taken, and from what source will
the bulk of the State troops talked Of, be raised?
We most respectfully and earnestly call the atten-
ton of the General Assembly to these things. And
if our readers and the people of the State generally
do not approve of the views announced in this arti
ce let them assemble in public meeting and say
This journal is organ and servant of the people.
1t does not assume to make to mould public opn-
ion but contents itself simply with announcing that
opinion and whenever it is in error, or misnform-
ed it is thankful to its readers and to the people gen.
orally for information and correction.