Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-05-24
The Conecrinfion Act.

Anxious inquirers" on the subject can see for
themselves who are and who not exempts.
Gov. Brown, of Georgia, has announced it as his
opinion that the CONSUMPTION Act is not only sub
Versive of the rights and sovereignty Of the States
but is papable violaton of the Constitution of the
Confederate States and to that extent void and of
no binding force upon the officers of the militia of
Georgia" In general order issued by him, he
says:
1.-THE language of the CONSUMPTION Act lately
passed by Congress is general and embraces the
Officers of the Militia of the States as we'll as the
priUGtes. But the States having by the 10th para
graph Of the 9Th Section of the LIST Article of the
Constitution of the Confederate States expressly
Teserred to themselves not only the appointment Of
the Officers OF the Militia aohen enlploved in the
service Of the Confederate States but each State
having also reserved to herself the authority of
training her own militia according to the discipline
prescribed by CongresS-which cannot be done
without oficers-and there being no vacancy that
can be filled Sy another in case an officer of the
Militia is carried out of the State as "Conscript"
without his consent which if done generally, would
entirely destroy the Military organization of the
State and prevent her from exercising her reserved
authority OF training her militia at time when
the safety of her people absolutely requires that
this should be done to prevent internal insurrec-
tons, that may occur at any moment without strict
manderi2C Chief after careful consideration of this
question: holds, that the Consumption Law, so far
as it nterferes with the officers of the militia in the
discharge of their duties by attempting to reduce
them to the ranks, and place them under officers in
Confederate service 10y which Major General of the
militia Tor instance, might be forcbly taken from
his command and placed under the lowest subalern
appointed by the President under the penalty Of
death if he refuses to serve is not only subverSive
OF the rights and sovereignty of the States, but is
papable violation of the Constitution of the Confed
crate States and to that extent void and of bind
ing force upon the officers of the militia of Georgia
de therefore commands every militia officer in
commission in this State to report, BY written COM
munication, directed to Henry c. Wayne Adu
tant and Inspector General at Milledgeville" spec
fying in his report his rank, the number of his Dis
trict the date of his commission, the county of his
residence; and his postoffice. Those who thus re-
port are directed not to enroll themselves as "con
scripts" but to continue actively in the vigilant
discharge of their respective duties officers Of the
militia. Those who report as herein directed, and
only those will be protected by the State against
the operation of the Consumption law"
The Governor of Georgia, it is seen, interposes
and practically nuifes the law so far as is necessa-
ry to retain the militia officers of the State and the
existing organization of the militia. He has also
refused to have anything to do with enrolling the
conscripts, but leaves this business in the hands of
the Confederate government That he will be sus-
tanned in this by a vast majority of the peo-
pie of Georgia, we entertain no doubt.
The Georgia Telegraph is much excited against
the Governor for the course he has thought proper
to pursue and very plainly intimates that the Con-
federate Government has the pOUer TO coerce GeOr-
gid but says it would be better to leave "the whole
matter of notification, insurrection and insubordi
nation to the Confederate Government, to the cor
rectng hand OF time and public opinion" That
paper says:
"What but endless confusion and trouble can
come Of such proceedings this? Suppose the
Confederaey should insist upon indicating its con-
temned authority-eXercSed in pursuance Of our
own sanction and consent through our own repre-
sentatiyes? Why. then we should have two wars
upon our hands before the month is outi
But if she winks at the contempt, then she is
equally bound to wink at all contempt ofher author
| ity; and tohat in that uiU she be toOrth
! government? "A government is worth nothing for
protection, unless she first protect herself
| But you say the Confederacy will not attempt to
| protect herself against Georgia at time when she
up to her elbows in blood against common enc.
| my! That is extremely probable; but it does not
console generous mind that such time should
have been selected to snub and insult the govern
ment"
!
nothing more nor less than the Lincoln doctrine !!
What will the federal government abe worth as a
government" says Mr. Lincoln, "unless it can pro-
tect itself against rebellion and INSTRUMENTATION
And this from an original secessionst this from
one of the champions of State rights and State SOW
eroignty The Telegraph forgets, or, if it remem-
bers, it abjures the doctrine that under our form
of government the States absolutely independ-
ent and can nullify or secede at pleasure. What
power exists that can say to Georgia that Georgia
shall not do as she peases?
The want of forecast which it is said rendered
this act necessary is without example in the histo
ries of nations struggling for independence. The
dullest man that ever pitched a crop looks to
the fnture and makes better provision for it in his
particular VOCATION than appears to have been done
by our common government IN a matter gravey,
and perhaps vitality affecting our success.
This unconstitutional and oppressive conscrip
ton act passed in secret session. and the people
do not vet know how their representatives voted on
it. Let us hare the yeas and nays. State secrets
on subject which nearly and vitality concerns every
man, woman, and child in the Confederate States
cannot be maintained consistently with the spirit OF
the principles of liberty. If the people are not per-
United to know how their representatives vote or
questions submitted and passed upon, they cannot
hold them, it is their right and duty to do to ar
accountability for their conduct; and if the repre-
sentative is not accountable to his constituents fol
what he does or Omts to do, then our system of 6
free government Is a failure.
Lincoln has announced by proclamation that or
the LIST of June next the ports of Beaufort, n c.
Port Royal, S. c., and New Orleans viii be open tc
the commerce of the world What amount of com.