Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-05-28
MILITARY Duty By Quakers.

military Duty BY Qaakers. 81
- subscriber requests MS to publish the yote BY
which was passed the ordinance 81. the Convention,
exempting members Of the Society Of Friends from
military duty on certain conditions The tsst vote
was on the amendment to Mr.. Badgers ordinance,
offered BY Mr. Schenck, providing that in lieu of
military service members Of the Society Of Friends
shall pay one hundred dollars as an equivalept-s
This amendment was adopted, yeas 81, nays 81.
This vote was not given in full at the time in the
STANDARD, but as soon as we can see the CLERK we
will obtain the names for and against, and publish
them
Mr.. Badgers ordinance very properly and justly
provided that Friends in good standing should be
exempted from military duty in the val, on the
ground that the members of this Society have al
ways held that to shed blood is against the Word of
God; and that it would be doing violence to their
conscences and denying the fundamental principles
of religious liberty to require them to take up arms
We agreed with Mr.. Badger in this view of the SUBJ
quent and able speeches were delivered by MIR. Bad
ger, Judge Ruffin, Mr. Gorrell, Mr.. Gilmer, Gov.
Graham, Mr.. Leak and others, in favor Of Mr.. Bad
gers ordinance as originally introduced; but ma
jority OF the Convention differed with them, and
thought proper to adopt Mr.. Schencks amendment
requiring one hundred dollars to be paid, as the
price of religious liberty. The ordinance, as finally
adopted, is as follows:
An Ordinance 70 Exempt Members Of the Society cf
FRIENDS from performing Military Duty, las
amended on the second reading)
BE 1t OrGGlnRG rec That horc If Uood
standing in the Society of Friends commonly call
ed "Quakers," who shall produce regular certif-
cate Of membership, shall be exempt from perfor-
ming militia duty and military service Provided,
That as an equivalent for such exemption, when
called for by the proper authorities they shall pay
the sum Of one hundred dollars, to be collected by
the SherifS of the several counties as other State
taxes are collected to be paid into the Treasury for
the general purposes thereof; and in case they be
unable to pay the same, the Governor shall have
power to detail them to assist in the manufacture
of Salt, or to attend the hospitals in the State.
We have not always been careful when speaking
of original secessionists, to make the necessary
distinction which We keep up constantly in mind
and feelings. One class preferred to destroy the
old government, some of them from motives of un-
holy ambition for position and place; and as a
class, they impetuous, airbrained reckless of
consequences to the country, their side is upper
most. They are essentially partizan and proscrip-
tire in their feelings and policy. The other class
became secessionists, because they honestly of
opinion that the old Union, after Lncolns election,
could no longer be source of good but Of evil
yet they did no: prefer dissolution, but abored to
prevent it for time, and have never sympathized
with the proscriptice or partizan faction.
We have no confidence in the discretion, rclabil-
ity sound judgment of those who preferred with
out adequate cause, or from bad motive, to break
up the old government. Such men cannot be trust
ed-they are destructices in form and in fact,-po-
tent to tear down-impotent to build up. Hence it
is, and for this sole reason, not wiling fan
honest effort can prevent it, that the destiny of this
State and Of the Confederate government shall be
committed solely to their management The histo.
ry of the past twelve MONTHS if evidence were
wanted Of their ncapacity, want of foresight, and
Of their reckessness, abundantly furnishes it.
For the latter class above-named, we have had no
other than feelings of friendship and confidence
We quarrel with no man about his opinions. 1t is
only when men become mad, and attempt to force
their opinions upon us and prescribe us, that we
break with them. Of this class is friend of ours
who has just written US private letter. which ex.
cites our sympathies and revves our recollection Of
former days. We hope he will pardon us for a
brief extract, which we have no doubt is the hon.
est outspoken sentiment of the heart Abiding
! to the bitter persecution with which We have me,
for the last eighteen months from proscriptioe and
partizan secessionsts and presses in North Carroll
ma, no says:
81 know how truly you have stood by the young
men Of the State, and how you have looked to arts
| tocratc family claims as nothing in comparison with
merit. | bear in mind the steadfast devotion with
which you have chung to the interests of North Car
olina, and the zeal and energy you have displayed
through the columns of your paper in directing tn.
attention of the government to the board defen
ces of the State | recolect when the proclamation
of Lincoln sounded like funeral bell to the South
! that you came forward at public meeting in Raj
eigh and offered series of resolutions, so sound
so stirring and so patriotic that party spirit
hushed in the cordial unanimity that greeted thc
passage was spectator at that meeting, and
thought that past differences had been buried in the
deep ocean of oblivion-that the olivebranch of re
Cancellation had been rendered and accepted, ant
that hereafter should stand together as band 0
brothers. Would to God that harmony could pre-
VAIL and that party despotlsm would relax its irol
DEGREES. As for myself, 1 have firmly resolved tt
know no party in the future, and to consult m!
own convictions as the only safe rule Of politica
conduct. The administration Of President Davi
has not been equal to the public exigencies. Hi
defensive policy has almost ruined the country, an
if unfortunately Richmond should fall, the inevits
bic result will be the surrender of the non-cotto
States to the enemy. An aggressive war can alon
restore peace, and give US the independence we S
earnestly desire. Place such a man as Sterlin
Price at the head Of the army-embarrass him wit
no Executive ORDERS and the day Of deliverance wi
speedily dawn in the horizon"
| For the Standard.
TO THE PEOPLE OF WAKE C0IINTY