Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-12-23

apprehension, gloom, and hurrying to and fro Of
large population. seeking homes further west
West Of that line is greatly increased population
OF slaves and non-producers, consuming the small
surplus of provisions on hand while theinexorabe
conscript law calls for more men to meet the enemy
at distant points 1t was under, or rather in view
OF these circumstances that Gov. Vance, who was
pledged to the measure during the campaign that
resulted in his election, recommended to the Legs-
lature the raising of ten thousand State troops
We quote as follows from his message on this sub
ject:
subject OF first importance is the prosecution of the
war; and the means of defending our State against the
vason OF the enemy The Legislature by
PROVIDED that in case the Confederate Government
ai or neglect to provide for the defence of North
Carona the Governor should be authorized raise
number Of troops for that purpose and made appro
OF money for their support Impressed with the
deenceess condition of Eastern counties when came
into Office had fully determined to avail myself Of this
authority and would have proceeded to do So but
for the Intervention of insurmountable difficulties The
ncPa OF these the conscrpt law passed by the Con-
referred TO- By this law extended in its provs-
ions short time before the adjournment Of Congress all
oodied men, between the ages of eighteen aud forty
nVe years became liable to enrolment soldiers of the
confederate States To raise an adequate force for State
defence from our citizens beyond the age of foryye and
submit to this vast drain besides thought entirely i'm
ptacncaoe hoped. too that by aiding and assisting in
the execution of the CONSUMPTION law would be eectr
my providing for State defence. This reasonable hope
To say been dsappointed and although North
has greater extent of seacoast than any other
State she has had fewer troops given her for its defence
Is not necessary gentlemen that should call your
attention to the Astounding wealth Of this threatened Sec
ZION OF our Statehed with everything necessary for the
comfort of army and our peope-or to the Suffering
and ruin of its loyal patriotic inhabitants You are suf
nclentY informed in regard thereto. It is for you there
fore 70 say whether you will suffer defences hereto
70 remain exclusively in the hands Of the Confederate
autnortes or take steps to carry the will of the last
legislature and raise troops enough State authority
ur coast.
unhesitatingy recommend the raising of at least ten
ments OF reserves, to be accepted for three four
onths and dismissed in time to pitch their crops in the
pring.
This force auxiliary to the Confederate troops would
probably be able to an advance of the enemy into
ne INTERIOR and while subsisng the abundant supplies
n our Eastern counties could benefit whole State by
aing IN Withdrawing vast quantitiesof provisions from
The Governor made this recommendation at the
'arliest moment at which he could do it. We know
ne was anxious that the State Convention should be
e-assembled in October, in order that that body
night consider the measure, and adopt it, if it
( aould think proper to do so but, failing in this
easonable expectation he looked to the Council of
tate to concur with him in converting the Legisla-
ure two weeks in advance of the regular period so
hat ne might submit to that body this much cher-
she'd measure. But ono Of the Council, who be-
longs to the Enquirers faction, and whose presence
was necessary to constitute quorum, failed to at
tend, Enough be might have done SOL for reasons
best known to himself; and here again the Cover
nor was thwared and disappointed in his efforts to
raise State troops.
We now call upon the Enquirer and the public
to read carefully the extracts we have made from
Gov. Vance's message and then say if the views of
the Conservatives in the Legislature and our views
on this question, are not in exact accordance with
his
But the Enquirer not only lectures our Legis,a-
ture, but it charges that plot exists in Raleigh to
"break the unity of the Confederacy and point the
path to anarchy and subjugation" 1t tells the
LEADERS of this plot that in such event the brand
of Cain would be nothing to theirs" 1t very kind
ly admits that most of those members of the Legis-
lature who voted for the ten regiment bill, &C. are
governed by good motives"-but there are 9TH
ers" it says, in the back ground plotting and
schemng, who if their hearts were known, would
not improbably be torn to pieces by the patriotic
masses of North. Carolina"
Such language, used by the organ of the Pres-
dent towards considerable portion of the Legsla-
ture of sovereign State, is without example in the
history of this country. We hurl it back with the
utmost scorn and indignation. One Of the leaders
of this plot"-Capt Grissom-shed his blood near
Richmond, at the head of his gallant comrades,
keeping the battle from the door of the Enquirer ;
and those who voted with him in the Legislature are
as true to the South as he is They are too intei-
gent to need the apologyof the Enquirer that they
were mised by others. THE brand of Cain!" That
man is truest to the Confederacy who contributes
his blood and substance to the cause, and who in
ssts a strict observance of the Constitution
adopted by the sovereign States; and that man is
traitor and deserves the brand of CAIN who prosti-
tutes the common government to party, and who
violates that Constitution, excuses its violation
Tried by this test the Conservatives of this State
occupy higher and better position than the En-
guirer and those for whom it speaks The Enquirer
charges the Editor of this paper and his friends with
being parties to 'plot" to 'subjugate" the South,
and threatens them with mob by whom they will
be storm to pieces" We should deprecate mob law
as the very incarnation of anarchy; but if North
Carolina should be thus unspeakably disgraced,
that law would not harm u.s. The masses" to
whom the Enquirer appeals, are friends. Let
those persons in Raleigh, who are stimulating the
Enquirer to the use of such language, beware |
Danton and Robespierre both met the doom which
they had so often pronounced on Others
We will continue our reply to the Enquirer.
Paroled Prisoners.