Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-02-26


script set"
In North Carolina the law has been rigdIy enforced
Our Governor has used ell the power at his command
tor its faithful execution 1t il reasonable under these
circumstances that sensity should prevail among
people in regard its suspension in other States
similarly situated unless satisfactory reasons should be
assigned.
trust that you will pardon the liberty take in re-
questing that yOn will whether this ate OF facts
still exist that the law has yet been PAT in force
in your State
/ Very respr ctfuly,
1Hos. d. MCDOWELL
JANUARY 81, 1863.
DEAR SIR {: will cheertuy respond to the inquiry
contained 10 your note tbs date touching the en-
t-rcement of the conscript law in Mississippi.
My published letter, which you have referred, was
explanatory OF the design and effect Of the exemption
law. The tact incidentally mentioned that the
late conscript act had not been enforced OF Gt date
and THAI consequently no practical results had attended
the measure which | was discussing.
Tee article in the MsSisSippian which, tcg Their with
my letter has been made the basis complaint against
the action OF the government, by newspapers S North
Carolina, the expression of indignant surprise that
delay had occurred IN the execution of gneral orders
No 81, dated November Sd, S62, issued from the ad
llant generals 0fice requiring { all male white resi-
dents IN The Confederate States between The ages of
eighteen AMI forty, not mpted by act Of Congress-
not already IN the service, to b" enrolled When he
attention OF the President called to this delay in
q1iry promptly instituted, and it explained in
the failure to the Older by the officer charged
with the duty Of enrolment.
be vigilance which has been displayed n the
attempt OF journalists prove that the President has
ght to tighten the burthens of his State at the
expense OF others, would have enabled them TO have
discovered ii the public prints of Mississippi order
OF the commandeut OF corscrips requiring all male
residents, between the of ghteen aud forty to
port Immediately at the camp of Instruction.
In this connection, it is proper state, that the Le
gslaure OF Mississippi responding to the views of the
President which sought during bis recent VISIT
passed law rigid and Imperative in it's terms to aid
act.
1t also passed law to bring into the military
vice those who are exempt by Confederate legislation
another, to authorize the impressment of slaves and to
leave unemployed for filing the thinned ranks
of the army with the entire available force of the State
1t repealed law, which had long been in existence. to
the proper control of slaves, forbiddng masters
employees to permit them to be quarered from the
residence OF white person, capable OF performing
patrol duty. These measures Of the Confederate and
State authorizes have been periodically sanctioned by
the people.
am, very respectfully etc,
+. BARKsDALE.
TO Hon 1hos D. Mcdowell, House of Representa-
Peaceabls Secession.
We believe the bill introduced into Congress bv Sen
ator johnson, providing amendment OF the Consti
tuition declaring the mode for the peaceabe secession of
any State from the Confederacy, will, if adopted by
Congress and the States prove of the best guaIan
tees for the pecmanency Of the Confederate Govern
ment instead of lOOsenng its bonds, imagine
The Confederate Government is organization to-day,
in vndicaton Of the ght of State which has yolun
tarlly entered into a compact OF Union with other
States, to withdraw thererom without moestation
when such State determines for itself that the compact
is violated to lis injury has failed to the ends
for which 1t made has proved detrimental to the
great interests and well being aud good order of its peo
ple But this vndca:ion has cost the country already
North and SOuth-three thousand millions of money,
which is total OF wealth to that amount, not to
speak of the loss of life and limb-inestimable to the
individual besides being frightul reduction of the
great element OF all wealth. SO costly experiment
ught certainly to provide against being undertaken
again.
The right of peaceahle secession the foundation of
our Government Why, then, should not this right be
clearly asserted and set forth in the Constitution? It
doubtless left out mainly from fear of the effect OF
such provision upon Europe just the slave trade pro-
vision was kept n. Our public anticipated that
should endeavor to get money from Europe to carry
the war; and feared that capitalists both abroad and
at home would be indisposed to lend money to gov
eminent invest in its bonds, when it had made pro-
vision in its organic law for sedestructon as the
ual observer might suppose We believe upon mature
reflection, however, it must be that the proposed
amendment would be the strongest bond OF union The
proposition IT, simply that If any State feel aggreved
by any act OF Congress, and by convention OF its peo
pie declare such unconstitutional in sssion-and
if not, the President shall Immediately convene itshal
forthwith call convention of all the States to discuss
the act complained of, which, unless affirmed by two
thirds of the States each allowed only single vote,
shall be pull and if affirmed ard no arrangement can
be mad with complainant by amendment otherwise,
then the State shall secede in peace assuming it's pro
rata Of the public debt and receiving it's rata of the
public property, to be determined by negotiation.
! Such an amendment OF the organic laws seems not
only just but would, undoubtedly prove salutary in
its action. For under it, it would be almost mpossi-
BILE that State could be brought to secession unless
it wully perverse than it is rational to sup
pose any State will become unless the other
States were anxious to be rid of her, or time should
prove that the system of confederation itself dele
terious or without benefit adequate to its cos. But
if after all dGue proposed in the amendment,
State should determine to secede, it would certainly
leave the Confederacy we'll the State, much more
able paw old debts than either would be, if compelled
to 20 to to vindicate the supremacy of the Cen
federacy on side, and the right of the State the
other We maintain then, that the proposition is just
and necessary consoDant with the theory of Gov
eminent end not in conflict with its supremacy, pre-
serve the right of the people, essential to the present
war; and waste, and debt SO destructive of the wrath
creating powers of any people and ought to be adopt
ed.-Augusta ConstitutOn0list.
| "REvENUE."-The steward of one of the European
steamers at Boston who wanted to take box ashore
unobserved, said to cusomhouse officer whom be knew
off was to put halfeage piece upon each of youl
eyes could you see !? The answer was "No; if I hae