Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-04-19
For the Standard.
LET THE PEOPLE BEWAREl


Mr. EprroR: Il cannot he disguised, it would be
the height Of folly and madness to attempt to dis
euise the fact-that we are rapidly tending TO mill
tary despotism. The pretnonitory symptoms are al
ready upon u.s. and if the people DO not rouse them
selves to the exercise of that vigilance and hrmness
which are the safeguards of liberty, all the barriers
Of constitutional freedom will be broken down. and
the death struggle in which they are now engaged
to rid themselves Of an odous tyranny from abroad
will end in nothing less than the most Calling des
potism at home. If things continue as they now
are- the people yield to the increasing demands OF
power, they will become so familiar with the exer-
else Of despotic principles that it will be difficult to
themselves to action when the fatal hour for
their cnsayement bursts upon them. How absurd,
how insulting to the intelligence and virtue Of our
countrymen to tell them, that to achieve and secure
free government they must submit to all the de-
mands of despotic powcr-that they must array
themselves in all the most odious badges Of military
tyranny to prepare themselves to wear with ease
and dignity the habments Of freedom; | am no
alarmist. | am ready and willing to concede every
thing that may be necessary to achieve our indie
pentence. But is it not evident that those in power
are sporting reckleSsly with the great principles OF
Constitutional government Is 1t their object to
test the orbearance of the people under the pretext
Of necessity that they may the better know when
and where to strike the final blow? Necessity has
been the tyrants plea and there are petty ty-
rants, throughout the South, who have raised this
outcry to advance their own selfish ends. Let the
people look the danger full in the face and prepare
for the crisis, when these home tyrants will attempt
a full imitation of their prototypes from abroad
There is the system of CONSUMPTION. | regard it
palpable violation Of the Constitution, direct
assault on the rights Of the States, most cruel
system Of military Impressment-a system unknown
to free governments, and the very lever by which
the most bloody military dcSpotiSms have been able
to maintain themselves. IL the system by
,vbi parfa huf mn hmm md Iyar-
shadowing tyranny,-in the exercise Of which his
own country was filled with widows and orphans,
and Europe deluged in blood In the name Of lib
eIty protest a. ainst it, In the name Of the Con-
stituton appeal to the people to place their
demnation upon it The plea Of necessity, urged
for its adoption, IS fasiied by the enthusiasm with
which volunteers rushing in every State to the
standard Of the country.
Again: Does not every man see that the great
bIrthright of every treeman-the writ OF Hd6eds
COrpUs-has become the sport and football Of those
in power to be kicked about at pleasure, to crafty
the passions and prcudices Of petty neighborhood
tyrantSI Martial law-the suspension Of all civil
process-the establishment Of military rulers to try
convict and punish, without presentment or indict.
mcnt by Grand Jury, without trial by ones
peers without the right to appeal TO higher court
for revision the Executive Of his State for mercy
are becoming the order of the day. Whole Sec
tons are thus put under the ban, and required
to come and 60 like the slaves and serf Of Europe
under the pass Of some hotbrained partizan, who
measures the necessities Of the State and the value
Of all patriotism, by his own personal malignity
IL this be not the rery essence of tyranny, then
what is3 We saw this illustrated a few weeks
since in the attempt which was made to fix on the
people Of Raleigh aud Its vicinity, for ten miles
around, this odous system Of martial law, when
there was more real necessity for it than there
was for its establishment on the top of the Pilot
mountain.
Again: The Constitution secures to every private
citizen freedom from having soldiers even in time
of war, quartered upon him. His DIV cling is his
castle and, as was elOquenty said Of the sacred
ness Of that castle, though but howell in England
1.-THE winds of heaven may whistle through il, but
the king Of England with all his power, dare not
enter IT against the will of its owner" learn that
there have been instances OF the most gross viola.
ton Of this great right Of personal security: and
that even some of female schools are threatened
with expulsion from their buildings, to make room
for the demands of a pretended military necessity
| trust that those in power will pause and reflect
before committing such an act Of unparalleled I'M
necessary wanton injustice and wrong. The plea
of necessity cannot avail them. II the Confederate
Government is able to pay for the swarm Of unne.
ccSSary Office holders now at its beck and call it
has ample means TO erect comfortable quarters for
its soldiers, without ejecting women and children
from their homes, and breaking up our seminaries
of education.
Again: ask arc We TO run the gauntlet OF deS-
potism from our own rulers to reach the goal of
freedom from foreign rule! appeal to the Consti-
tuition for protection
But the end is not yet Under the Constitution,
the people have the right to bear arms-yet Mr.,
AShe tells :hem, il they do not surrender readily
every weapon they have to defend themselves and
families against robbers aud aSsRsSnS against the
instruction and characterization Of daring and
boOdthirsty slaves instigated by secret enemies to
rapne and violence, he cW seise thnSe eedpoRs 6y
orce! cannot believe that such is the purpose Of
my man clothed in little brief authority" IL
It is, then has the clovcn foot Of military despotism
been exhibited much earlier than was expected.
SeireS. No other p0scr can sore them,
lNnEpENDENCE