Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-12-31

Remarks of Messrs. Amis, Garter and McAden.
The resolutions in relation to the political prl-
soners of this State, confined by the Confederate
authorities at Salisbury, being under consideration
Messrs Amis, Carter and McAden addressed the
House, in substance, as follows:
Mr. Amis said
The gentleman from Rowan, Mr. Fleming has
said that he believes these prisoners are well cared
for. If he is not mistaken there is need for this
provso, inasmuch as, in that event. action is au-
thorized by the resolution. But if he be mistaken,
then these men are in suffering condition, and it
is the dictate of humanity to relieve them, even
though the fact of guilt had been properly ascer-
tanned. Let it be remembered that they are citi-
of North Carolina, some of them at least, oyal
and that being arrested and held as prisoners under
Confederate authority, there is no law authorizing
the Governor to supply their wants. Then the ne
cessity of this resolution is apparent. On this point
no question will be made But the gentleman from
Lincoln, Mr.. Costner proposes to postpone this hu
name act until all our soldiers shall be first prov
ded with all they need, and so long as, by posi-
bility, soldier may have need of anything the
Governor is forbidden to do aught for the relief of
these citizens of North Carolina some of whom are
as true as the gentleman myself 1t is plain sir
that this course would entirely defeat the purpose
CT the resolution The gentleman must remember
that the resolution only authorizes that which could
not otherwise be done, and does not require the
Governor to prefer these men to our soldiers. And
/ only say what all know, when say that Governor
Vance does not stand in need of laws to compel him
to care for the wants of the soldier. for one am
willing to trust him. The truth is, that think the
gentleman will, himself, see upon reflection, that
this proposition is distinguished more by its spirit
of hostility to those prisoners than for frendness
| 20 the soldier Why, sir, shall we condemn clti-
| of Nov Norn 1ia DIM nd
fer from cold and hunger and want-suffer them to
| perish by degrees, when it is our habitto arraign
our enemies for inhumanity and barbarty for pur-
suing similar course towards those of our soldiers
who unfortunate enough to fallin their hands
Yea, sir, shall we deny to our own people whatwe
accord daily to those who have come among us Tor
| our subiugaton and destruction? We do not stop
to inquire whether Confederate soldier is hungry
before we allow rations TO Yankee prisoners. And
am not willing to put Yankees before own
citizens especially those citizens, whatever their Of
fence may be, who have been denied those rights
and privileges which distinguish our Constitution
from the despotc governments Of the world.
70 adopt the amendment was equivalent to de-
nying any aid to the prisoners now confined at
Salisbury, and that too, when it was known that
| they in most destitute condition, without
bedding and nearly naked He had been credibly
informed that some Of them had no other bedding
than few leaves to protect them from the severity
of this winter weather. lie asked if gentlemen did
not know that there had been in the nature Of
the case, there never could be, an hour since our
army was called into the field that some Of sne men
were in need OF clothing?
The careessness OF some men, and the waste and
loss incident to long and forced marches, with an
inadequate transportation would always render it
impossible for every one to be at all times well sup
loI do hc,ro h,cp hon
be barrier to the discharge of plain duty to these
unfortunate prisoners.
But the gentleman from northampton CIr
Peebles) had, doubt, placed it upon the grounds
that :tuatcd the opposition to the original resou
ton. lie asked how members were going to stand
before their constituents if they voted against this
amendment? Then it seems that the gentleman
was looking forward to an appeal for seat this
floor again. Or for something else in the power OF
the people to give hun. He thought such motive
ought not to Influence any one Oh the floor of the
House against any measure that ri ht and just
in itself; and BESIDES he thought that the gentle
man had quite moderated the intelligence, patriot
| ism and magnanimity of any portion of people
if he thought they would sustain hir>in any such
0Sitior For himself he could tell the gentleman
that he wanted the vote OF no n:an vino would cast
it from such considerations.
MIR. C. spoke at length upon the subject, and con-
clued by saying that quite number OF the prison.
| domestic aud neighborhocd ieuciS-the'r enemies
having taken advantage of the circumstances
rounding them to wreak vengeance by raising sus
piciol:s that were unjust and had no foundation in
truth lie named an instance that came within his
own knowledge, and stated the facts connected with
the case.
Mr. McAden said
lie opposed the amendment on the ground that
it defeated the object OF the resolution which was
for the Governor, if on examination he found the
prisoners at Salisbury North Carol'nians destitute
in food clothing to furnish them with the same.
These men have been arrested, not by civil pro-
cess-a process that all men should re arrested IN
der if arrested at all, but By military authority
and the right Of habeas corpus the great Magma
Charta of our liberties denicl them; they have
been arrested without charge Of guilt but upon sus-
picion and denied hearing trial; they have
been thrown into prison without clothing and are
now, know from information given to us by
the Governor, suffering from the want of clothing
and food. 1t is but common humanity, humanity
pract ced in all common jaS, that prisoners ar
rested by proper authority, and for proper charges,
should be humancy treated during their confine-
ment 1t is practice, and required by our Revised
Code that even slaves confined are required to be
treated humanely. Even our enemies when cap
: tured, though captured whilst invading our homes,
are treated humanely -and should fail to treat
even them hunanely we would be disgraced in the
, eyes of all civilized nations
This being so, the question resolves itself into
this Shall we deny to these unfortunate persons,
North Carolinlans, now confined in the military
prison at Salisbury persons arrested as have be-
fore said, not on charges but on suspicion and a
trial by a jury denied them-arrested and confined
in defiance of the great ri1ht granted to every one