Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-11-24

Of North Carolina, arrested for alleged po
litical offences. How long they are to re-
main incarcerated no one cap say but those
who apprehended them. What their guilt
really consists in | do not know, but this
much it becomes both you and me to know,
in view of the oaths we take upon entering
into Office, that they were not arrested by
lawful process, and as citizens of North C,ro-
: lima they are entitled under the Constitution
to a speedy trial by a jury of their peers,
and to be confronted with their accuSers. |
: have laid their cases before his Excellency
the President Of the Confederate States, and
when his reply is received you will be in
formed thereof. Should there exist any
! grave State reasons WHY they are denied =
trial, it is due at least that we should be
informed Of them. have not seen an official
/, copy of the art, but learn from the newspapers
that Congress has conferred upon the Presi-
dent the power to suspend the writ of hab6as
corpus in all cases of arrests made by Con-
iederate authority. If this be once admitted,
i. no man IS safe from The power of one indi-
vfdual. lie could at pleasure, seize any cit
izen of the State with or without excuse,
throw him into prison and permit him tn
langaish there without relief-a power that
| am unwilling 10 see entrusted to any liviog
man. TO submit to its exercise would in
my opinion be establishing a precedent dan
gerous and pernicious in the extreme
Among a people so united and faithful to
their cause as ours, where diSloyalty is the
rare and solitary exception to the general
rule, [ see but little good, but a vast tide
! o~finfowing evil from these inordiRate stretch
, es of military power which are fast disgrace
/ ing US equally with our Northern enemies
A free Republic that must needs cast off it's
E III ~ uon &,~a = g -1,Iin v-1n aann
cast it off forever. Freedom cannot be en-
braced to-day and spurned to morrow: a
steadfaSt and constant worship can alone Sc
! cure US her countless blessings. Her chosen
instruments-the Constitution and the laws
were made the sure covenant of her ~everlast
ing residence among US our delight in times
of peace and prosperity, and our guide and
shield in the day OF trouble and calamity
Now, is the time if ever when we should
abide strictly by their stern DEGREES, and
walk u~prightly in the narrow path they have
marked out for our footsteps. We should
least Of all, forsake the helm and the com.
pass when the vessel is driven by the tenn
pest, and clouds and darkness obscure the
way.
Deeply impressed as I have been with the
importance of this subject, I have been anx-
ious at the same time to avoid any unneces-
ID tAIli I IL Tx Y dulIlOI 4
ties. | have, therefore, waited patiently for
your assembling, confident that you would
take proper steps to maintain the laws anC
preserve the rights of our people.
1t becomes my duty also, to call your at
~tention to the subject Of offering our troops
in the field-some conflict Of opinion existing
in regard thereto.
The right of the State authorities to com.
mission the officers Of the regiments original
ly raised for the war, is not doubted. 1t il
conceded by the Act Of Congress of Apri
10th, 1862, known as the Conscript Law
But the Confederate authorities claim tn
right to commission the regiments of lively
months men, continued in service by thi
law, and also all regiments whatsoever, raise
since it went into operation. And in bot
: cases, they have claimed to commission an
appoint all regimental staff officers, eve
: when they conceded to the Executive of th
7 State the appointment of the officers of th
3 line. Again, while appointing and commits
: sioning field officers, the Secretary of Wa
f has declined to appoint the company officers
: 10 remedy, if possible, this confusion and
: avoid conflict, | called in person to see tt
: President, who promised to take the opinio
0 OF his Attorney General on the subject
length. l have not yet had the pleasure
seeing that opinion, and now lay the mat
: er before you, and recommend you to tax
e such steps as will preserve the rights an
Il honor OF the State. 1t may well be doubte
: if the offering of the whole of our troo,
q does not belong exclusively to State author
ty, as by strict reference to the Constitute
d they may be found to be in point of la,
l. militia. 1t is notifying to find entire bri
l. AIDES Of North Carolina soldiers in the te
d commanded by strangers, and, in many c,
q seS, or own brave and war worn Colone
ID are made t. give place TO Colonels from d
tant States, who are promoted to the cor
IL mand OF North Carolina troops over the
IS helds to vacant Brigadierships. Some
= these promotions are CHARGED to North Cal
Dc lima, which enables the authorities 70 S
rs that We have had so many appointment
We when in fact we have not, the appointees 4
s. being citizens Of our State. This is Fl
ly breaking down the pride and patience of O
I'd, officers, many Of whom are reporting to
d, their intention to resign, alleging that t
ns road to honorable promotion is almost Gle
or ed to our citizens. This is not right, a
rs forms a just cause of complaint both in c
ch army ana with our people at home. \
it are willing that our soldiers should foll
'or any General capable OF leading them, but
ry contsnd that as a matter of sheer Justice, {
soldiers are entitled to receive their fair D
of portion of the honors won by their gallan
Ipe and endurance.
ch would also recommend that the exist
he prohibition against the distillation of spi
+ ON all kinds of grain be continued dur
ere he war. There is no grain to spare for 8,
me =, rposes and all the medical needs of
ITS country and army can be abundantly supp
IS : by the liquors made from the fruit G,
Shoald even the supply for the army e.