Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-02-06
Public sentiment.-The Wharf.-The Militia.

the people" may not be 1.-the voice of God" yet
the sober Judgment of the masses is seldom wrong
The history Of the country proves, that though the
people may be led into by willy politicians and
demagogdes yet the COOL sober second thought gen.
orally brings them back to sound principles and
correct action.
In all matters which concern the public interests
it is always best to consult public sentiment. 1t is
safe to disregard the voice of the people, when
that voice is Enthusiastically expressed. We do not
Say that public man should never oppose himself
to popular sentiment, for general rule, that man
is the best friend to the people who tells them the
TRUTH whether it be acceptable TO them not but
before opposing popular sentiment, public man
should be sure that that sentiment is wrong. If
wrong, the people themselves will see it at last and
do him justice. But rulers socaled of the people,
have no option. They have no right to stake them
selves against popular sentiment, for they are not
acting for themselves, but for Others They should
never, therefore, deliberately disregard or thwart
the knOaon wishes of the people.
Public sentiment in North. Carolina prior to the
proclamation of Lincoln which precipitated the war,
was as fixed as the eternal hills against the action
of our Southern sisters in breaking up the govern
ment What would have been the consequences
if the views and purposes Of few hot headed seces-
sonists in the State had prevailed to force her out
before that proclamation That they would have
been calamitous there can be no doubt But that
paper, by an electric flash, fused our whole peo
pie into body to resist the tyrant. Upwards Of
seventy thousand of our brave men volunteered to
maintain the rights of the South or perish in the
effort There be no question that the people of
the State have fully endorsed every measure for
raising troops by the volunteer system and the
cessary means for equipping and supporting them.
They acquieSccd in the first CONSUMPTION, though
firmly opposed to the principle or system of con-
scription itself But having contributed between
eighty and ninety thousand men to the common de-
fence embracing volunteers, cOnscrpts and recruits
our people are opposed to any further drain upon
our population until all the other States have done
as much for the common defence, in proportion to
population as she has done. If Mississippi can be
exempted by the President from the second con-
scrlption, why may not North Carolina, or portions
of North-Carolna, be exempted also? IfVhginia,
and South-Carolina, and Georgia can organize and
retain portion of their forces as reserves why may
not North Carolina do the same? If Florida can be
exempted from the CONSUMPTION on condition that
her men shall go into reserved corps for the de-
fence of that State-which has actually been done
why may not North Carolina enjoy the same priyi-
lege? Is it treason to ask these questions? Dove
"come in conflict with the Confederate government"
simply because we ask for our State the same privi
leges which are granted to others?
And now, after having contributed all these men
To he dafaDCp the S,nynr at Rich
mond it is understood doubling its ability to afford
adequate protection to the line of the Wilmington
and Weldon Road-all that it pledges itself to do
demands that the militia Of the State at least of
the Eastern Counties be called out From all parts
Of the State the inquiry comes to US, "why is ths?"
What good can unframed militia do? There is a
strong feeling of opposition among the people to
calling out the militia They believe first that
North Carolina has already furnished her full share
and more than her full share Of men; secondly, that
the militia would be Of but little service in meeting
and repelling the enemy, who are well trained and
provided with all the modern implements and means
of war; thirdly, that large body of the militia
would really embarrass our Generals in the field
more than they would benefit them in their opera
tons; and Jourthly, that to withdraw the great
bulk of our white laboring population from the
farms, even fo- a few weeks would tend greatly
to diminish next years crops and thus add to the
general scarcity of meat and bread. This war must
be, as it has been fought by regular troops To
place raw militia in the field against veterans, is to
expose them to panic and slaughter. In the very
nature of things it could not be otherwise. We
know the conscripts fought like heroes at Kinston,
but they had been in camp for months and were
thoroughly trained. They were not militia
From present Appearances, the probability is that
the militia will not be called into active SERVICE
We know that Governor Vance duly estimates the
Importance of having as many of our people at home
on their farms possible, and one will be more
gratied than he will be- if the services of the militia
should not be necessary 1t is proper also to state
that the recent call was the result of request
which emanated from the government at Richmond
A TEST FOR ExToRTIoNERs-Who exOrtioncrs has
been question difficult to The proper has
been last discovered One of Genrgas brightest Jewels