Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-04-16
For The standard.
WATCH, AS WELL AS FIGHT.

MR EDITOR The Sklu mariner when at sea be-
set by storms and driven by fierce winds, not only
avais himself of all his skill and tact to guide his
vessel safely through the pillows that threaten her,
and bring her safely to port, but he carefully
watches the effect Of the measures taken to secure
the desired end, in order to discover whether he
has acted amiss, or left anything undone. 1t is
thus that experienced statesmen, in times Of danger
watch the effect of measures enacted for the benefit
Of the State in order TO discover whether the
ures taken the best that could have been devils
ed-whether something has not been done which
ought TO have been lett undone or something omit
ted which essential to the safe guidance of the
ship Of State through the tempeStuous that sur
rounds her.
With view to suggest this spirit of enquiry and
watchiulneSS, allow me 10 ask what is the present
tendency OF some OF the measures OF Our COnted-
crate Government, and under the guidance of the
pilots at the helm how We drifting? Is our
helm aport, or tossed in the rough troughs
far GU; at sea? Are we laboring with skill and en-
ergy to the vessel and her cargo, We al
ready casting overheard all the valuable lives and
treasures have aboard with the vain hope Of
bringing only the empty hull into haven of safctye
very much fear that, to steer clear Of the rock in
the distance, we are in danger Of running upon the
qnIckSandS, just at our Prov. While we are Straih
ing every to meet and avert the dangers ola
foreign INVASION should We not guard against unrIe-
ceSSary and dangerous usurpation at home? While
IL Is 10 use al our OeSI ellfT-
gies to overcome outward foe let US not be sub
dued by an inward foe. If we are to give up the
substance of liberty at home in order to Her
sembance abroad, We had better never have cneaG-
cd in this grea, struggle.
But what measures of government referred
to? In this article shall take the liberty of call
ing attention TO but three. | aude to the frequeit
and extensive prOClamatiOnS Of marital law aud
consequent suspension Of all civil authority, 10 the
proposed CONSUMPTION, and to the orders for mprcsS
ipg private arms
That the existence OF martial law in time of wal
par tcular districts may sometimes be necesssl
~ to the public good is admitted but that it ought
never to be reSored to- unless the evils to be remd
died are greater than the evils entacd by its ntrd
ducon, is equally clear: The existence OF martial Law
not only suSpendS the writ Of Hd6eGs Corpus, which
Mr.. Jefferson thought ought never to be suspended
for any cause and right to which is justly esteem
cd the greatest safeguard against tyranny and OBJ
preston but it Suspends all civil writS, and the a
thority of all civil magistrates whatever. Under
martial law any citizen of the Confedcracy where it
exists may be arrested and indefinitely imprisoned
upon any cause, no cause, without bail or ain
prise aud may be tried and punished either capi
tally or otherwise without law and with no author
ity but court martial, and no rule but the con-
science of its members 1t is manifest that such
great evils Ought not TO be introduced into cohn-
try unless under circumstances of the most ure nt
necessity.
will not say that the necessity has existed no
where in the Conlederacy for the establishment Of
martial law but has the necessity been extern Five
as the establishment? Were the evils to be Tdlne-
died greater than those introduced and liza BILE ID be
introduced by the remedy? Ii cities and to WINS
chiefly occupied by the military, and which III was
necessary to put in state If military defence re-
ourcd the introduction Of this arbitrary specFs Of
government, did the same reasons exist for extend
ing it over whole districts and sections of the Slate
Because it is found necessary TO enforce suchIrgid
discipline upon the army and those connected with
it. in its immediate vicinity, does it FOLLOW that
peaceful and quiet citizens engaged in farming and
other useful occupations should be subjected TO the
same rigid discplineP Made continually liable to
arrests without warrant and only at the distation
Of irresponsible, and often incompetent and rash
military leaders 3? Is not such q course cald ulated
to cripple the energies and industry of the very
people upon whom depends, in great degree, the
maintenance of the army? | do not say that under
the semblance of military necessity very great
abuses have been naugurated, but l ask ii there
not danger that there will be? If the coarse OF
events remains unchecked by wholesome legislation,
is it not probable that Sy gradual and impcrcePube
degrees, the whole civil authority will becomelpow-
eress and the people OF this Confederacy will Know
no rule of conduct or safety but the temporary and
uncertain edictS which emanate from military bad
.ers and drum-head courts-martial?
Now, as to the proposed conscription, it is DER
haps sufficient to say, that it g at utter variahce
with the genius of our government and the spritkof
our people. 1t contains the germ of European dds
potsm 1t proposes to coerce the people to do that
which they are ready to do willingly. 1t is an unS
warranted to the arbitrary power Of the goy
ernment-not from necessity, bat from choice. Il
know Mr.. Wigfall says the system of volunteering
is failure but this is not the only instance where
in Mr.. Wigall is not sustained in his premises by
the proof Wherein is volunteering failure and
when did it faY Is not voluntary service better
than involuntary service? Is not free will offer
/ ing upon the altar of ones country preferable to
forced sacrifices? What State has refused its quota
of Confederate troops! / know of none; but if
there DO any. no argument is afforded thereby for
general system of CONSUMPTION in those States which
do no: refuse.
II general system of transcription By the Con-
federate Government is to prevail, then what Is to
become Of the boosted doctrine OF States Rights
1.-THE General Government is to reach its gigantic