Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-04-09
The Spirit of the Times.

anu men 10 drive the enemy from our soil, and to
carry the war into Africa, if need be. If our ruth
less foe will have it so, let the North be made to
taste the benefits of invasion and conquest But
let the South scorn to initiate the reckless and law
less despotism and fanaticism of the North
North Carolina and the South entered upon this
to resist the usurpatons of Northern aggression
and tyranny to preserve intact the right of the
people of these States to govern themselves and to
peraetuate constitutional liberty to generations yet
unborn. If the leaders in this revolution had other
and Interior designs they have deceived the people,
If the progress of the has rendered it necessary
to ignore cherished principles and to start out
upon the UNEMPLOYED and untried sea of experiment.
are to this hour obvious of such necessity. If
the war cannot be successfully prosecuted by con-
scientious adherence to the principles Of the Con-
situations of the States and the Confederacy, and
proper regard to the rules of civilized warfare then
we have yet to learn why. If the pinch of the war
demands that all the personal rights of Southern
citizens shall be disregarded, and the rights of the
States ignored then We have indeed fallen upon evil
times. If the time is past, to "talk about rights
and privileges" then when will the time ever re-
turn wh,n we shall have any rights? Shall we
held to what rights We have left and fgh: to the
death to maintain them, shall we like the reck-
less gambler throw up every thing to the uncertain
RISKS Of the. dice?
Every true hearted man in the South must depre-
cate deeply the morbid and Infatuated spirit which
ever and anon developes itself in certain quarters,
in the progress of this war. Tho blind phrenzy
which prompted the originators of this revolution
toplunge themselves headong into it without count
ing the cost stopping to prepare for it, now that
their eyes opened to its vast dimensions, drives
them in their alarm to the desperate resolves of the
maniac.
The readiness with which they utter their anath-
emas upon the conservative men of the South, who
are really its chief reliance for ultimate success
their blatant blasphenies against Provdence-their
ope2-mouthed infdelity-their hot haste to over
ride all constitutional barriers-to trampe upon
laws the most conservative and benefcial-o ignore
the rights of the people, notwithstanding their for
mer professoss-to beat down all the bulwarkS of
social. commercial or political virtue which lie in
their way, is really alarming Reckless of the prop
crty or the persons OF the people, they will sacrifice
all TO the madness Of the hour, and at some future
day. will mend the breach by falsehood and chicane
ry and population. Mark what We say
ave are in the midst of revolution say they,
"and we must not stand upon punctilios, when the
Republic is in danger" Well, let ''punctilios be
given to the Winds but let the principles of JUS
tice and right, and constitutional liberty remain
intact forever. We care not great for punctilios,
but principles must be maintained, what are life,
or property, or rights worth? What value are all
these, if constitutions and laws the bulwalks Of
liberty, are over-ridden at the will of rulers or
people? These fiery mad caps would urge the
States and people to surrender their rights for the
present. and force them through the purgatoral fires
of l4obocracy' and despotism, in order to secure
them in the end! But when, in the history OF the
world, has a nation recovered its independence,
after yielding itself up to be trodden down by
the heel of despotism? Who, but Washington,
among the many revolutionary leaders, ever rotun-
tarily turned his back upon the Establishments of
power, when once in his possession? What is to
5e the future of the North-what the condition Of
her people, even should she succeed in her wicked
designs upon the South? And what if she should
fail, as we trust she will? Can she ever unloose
: the fangs Of the despot? Can she ever shake Oft
or rise above her prostrate anatical and mobocyatc
condition except by the strong arm of a military
despotism which will uproot all the principles of
American liberty?
Strange that this fell spirit should lift its head in
high places. In the Senate of the Confederate
States the other day. Mr.. Wigfall said:
at will not do to talk about the justice Of our
cause the favor of Providence, the aid of foreign
nations. We must have heavy battalions. We
have to contend against powerful nation, which
exhibits the desperation of gambler who stakes
all that he possesses. We waiting here for
Providence, foreign governments, to help US.
We lean upon broken reed. '"
Lower down, perhaps, we find the same spirit
| more outspoken but none the less real or rabid.
Florida correspondent of the Petersburg Express
| Of the same stripe, writes thus:
eff Davis would emulate Napoleon instead Of
| feebly initiating Washington, l would have more
| hopes of him and more confidence in his ability.
fear, however, he is not the man for the times
Herelies too much on proclamations and too little
on actions. Praying is out Of date just now, and
| preaching an obsolete idea. Gunpowder and pluck
| we stand most in need Of The Christian virtues
may De we'll enough, but in times like these cruelty
! has become virtue, and unscrupulousness should
| be ruling principle We want devil at our head
l wish to God we had one"
What blasphemyl Napoleon with such people
is the beau ideal Of the leader which they desire
The Republic, in their estimation, wants no such
wise, cool, virtuous pilot at the helm as Washing
ton. They afraid such a man will safely steer
the ship between Scylla and Charibds. They want
| daring, reckless, Goddess adyenturer, who will
dash the ship headlong upon the rocks at once.
| Thank Heaven the masses Of our people are not OF
this way of thinking Happy will it be for the
country if Mr.. Davis has chosen Washington for
his great exemplar, and will follow in his footsteps.
Then we may be sure of speedy triumph Heavy
| battalions" are at his command Our people are
1ocking as one man to his standard In that case
he will not ignore the christian virtues" cease
| to rest upon the arm Of Providence.
4 THr GALLANT MoRaAN.-The exploits Of Captain
Jack Morgan in Tennessee, will show what . brave