Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-04-09
The Spirit of the Times.


less foe will have it So let the North be made to
taste the benefits of invasion and conquest. But
let the South scorn to initiate the reckless and law
less deSpotiSm and fanaticism of the North.
North Carolina and the South entered upon this
to res st the usurpations of Northern aggression
and tyranny; to preserve intact the right of the
people of these States to govern themselves and to
perpeuatc constitutional liberty to generations yet
unborn. If the leaders in this resolution had other
and Interior designs, they have deceived the people
If the progress of the has rendered necessary
TO ignore our cherished principles and to start
upon the uncXplorcd and untried sea of experiment.
we are to this hour oblivious of such necessity If
the cannot be successfully prosecuted by
scientious adherence to the principles Of the Con-
situations of the States and the Confederacy, and
proper regard to the rules of civilized warfare then
We have yet to learn why. If the pinch of the war
demands that all The personal rights of Southern
citizens shall be disregarded, and the rights Of the
States ignored, then have indeed fallen upon evil
times. If the time is past to talk about rights
and privileges" then when will the tlne ever re-
turn wh,n we shall have any rights Shall we
hold on to what rights have left and tigh: to the
death to maintain them, shall we like the reck-
less gambler throw up every thing to the uncertain
RISKS of the dice?
Every true hearted man in the South must depre-
cate deeply the morbid and infatuated spirit which
and anon developes itself in certain Quarters,
in the progress of this war. The blind phrenzy
which prompted the originators of this revolution
toplunge themselves headong into it without count
ing the cost or stopping to prepare for It, now that
their eyes opened to its vast dimensions, drives
them in their alarm to the desperate resolves of the
maniac.
The readiness with which they utter their anath-
emas upon the conservative men Of the South, who
really its chief reliance for ultimate success
their blatant blssphemies against Provdence-their
opea-mouthed nfdelity-their hot haste to over
ride all constitutional barriers-to trampe upon
laws the most conservative and benciical-to ignore
the rights Of the people notwithstanding their for
mer professionalism beat down all the bulwarkS of
social, commercial or political virtue which lie in
their way is really alarming Reckless of the prop
erty or the persons of the people, they will sacrifice
all to the madness of the hour, and, at some future
day. will mend the breach by falSehood and chicane
~ and rrPudidtiOp. Mark what we say.
1--WE are in the midst of revolution say they,
land must not stand upon punctilios, when the
Republic is in danger" Well, let "punctilios" be
given to the Winds but let the principles of jus
tice, and right, and constitutional liberty remain
intact forever. We care not Sroat for punctilioS,
but principles must he maintained, what life,
or property, or rights worth? What value are all
these if constitutions and laws the bulwarkS Of our
liberty, are erridden at the will of rulers or
! nj ha
States and people to surrender their rights for the
present, and force them through the purgatorsl fires
OF mobocracy and despotiSm, in order to secure
them in the end! But when, in the history of the
world, has nation recovered its independence,
: after yielding itself up TO be trodden down by
the heel of dcspotism? Who but Washington,
among the many revolutionary leaders, ever rOiun-
tdrily turned his back upon the Establishments OF
: power, when once in his possession? What is to
DC the future of the North-what the condition OF
! her people, even should she succeed in her wicked
designs upon the South? And what if she should
! fail, as We trust she will? Can she ever unloose
: tie fangs of the despot? Can she ever shake of
or rise above her PROSTATE anatcal and mobocratic
. condition except by the strong Of military
despotism which will uproot all the principles Of
! American liberty?
Strange that this fell spirit should lift its head in
! high places. In the Senate of the Confederate
/ States the other Gay, Mr.. Wigall said:
ut will not do to talk about the justice of our
Cause the favor of Providence, the aid Of foreign
! nations We must have heavy battalions. We
/ have to contend against powerful nation, which
i exhibits the desperation of gambler who stakes
all that he possesses. We are waiting here for
! Providence. foreign governments, to help us.
We lean upon broker. reed"
! Lower down. perhaps, We find the same spirit
/ more outSpokcn, but none the less real rabid.
\ Florida correspondent of the Petersburg ErprGss
of the same stripe, writes thus:
/ "If Davis would emulate Napoleon, instead Of
( fee5ly initiating Washington, would have more
hopes of him and more confidence IN his ability.
! fear, however he is not the man for the times.
He relies too much on proclamationS and too little
on actions. Praying is out Of date just now, and
! preaching an obsolete idea. GunpOwder and pluck
| we stand most in need Of The Christian virtues
may DE we'll enough, but in times like these cruelty
has become virtue, and unscrupulousness should
be ruling principle. We want devil at our head
| wish to God We had one"
What blasphemyl Napoleon with such people
is the beau ideal of the leader which they desire
The Republic, in their estimation, wants no such
WISE cool, virtuous pilot at the helm as Washing
ton. They afraid such man will safely steer
the ship between Scylla and Charbdis They want
a daring, reckless Goddess adventurer, who viii
dash the ship headlong upon the rocks at once
Thank Heaven, the masses Of our people are not o.
this way of thinking. Happy will it be for the
country if Mr.. Davis has chosen Washington fol
his great exemplar and will follow in his footsteps
Then we may be sure of speedy triumph Heavy
battalions" are at his command. Our people arr
aockins as one man to his standard. In that css'
he will not ignore the "Uhrstian virtues CEASE
to rest upon the arm of Providence.
The GALLANT MoRGAN.--Ths exploits OF Captain
1 Jack Morgan in Tennessee, will show what braVs