Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-02-11
RA LEIGH. N. G.. WEDNEs DN. FEB H.. 1868.
Public sen,imeat--The war--TAe Militia.

Public Sentiment.-The Wharf.-The Militia.
All republics are governed by public opinion, and
30 are limited monarehies. Though the "voice Of
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 beled into error by willy politicians and
demagogues yet the COOL sober second thought gen.
orally brings them back to soand principles and
correct action.
In all matters which concern the public interests
it is always best to consult public sentiment 1t is
never safe to disregard the voice Of the people, when
that voice is unnistakably expressed. We do not
say that public man should never oppose himself
to popular sentiment for as general rule; that man
is the best friend to the people who tells them the
truth, whether it be acceptable to them or not but
before opposing popular sentiment a public man
should be sure that that sentiment is wrong. II
wrong, the people themselves will see it at last and
do him justice But rulers SO called 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 knopn 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 hotheaded seces-
sionsts in the State had prevailed to force her out
before that proclamation! That they would have
been calamitous there can be no ooubt But that
paper, as by an electric fash, fused our whole peo-
pie into one 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 can be question that the people OF
the State have fully endorsed every measure for
raising troops by the volunteer system, and the ne
cessary means for eqnipping and supporting them.
They acquiescel in the first conscrption, though
firmly opposed to the principle or system Of con-
scription itself Blu: 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-
scr,ption why may not North Carolina, or portions
of North Carolina, be exempted also! If Hfirginla,
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 conscription 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 privi-
lege? Is it treason to ask these questions Do we
.'come in conflict with the Confederate government"
simply because ask for our State the same Privi-
leges which are granted to others?
And now, after having contributed all these men
to the common defence, the government 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 ths!"
What good can unframed militia do? There ia
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 he of but little service in meeting
and repellng the enemy, who are well trained and
provided with all the modern implements and means
of war; thirdly, that large body Of the militia
wonld really embarrass our Generals in the field
more than they would benefit them in their opera
bulk of our white laboring population from the
farms, even 70. 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 no one will be more
graicd 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
TEST FOR ExroRrioNERs Who are extortoners has
been question difficult to The proper test has
who has scaled his devotion his country By his blond
said, private conversation: The man who is richer
at the end Of this than at the beginning il extor
ti0ccr" This is the true test. Every true patriot wtll
Eve bis talents and money the of onih.rn indie
pendece This is no time for making money especially
when it is made by Specializing upon the necessities Of the
people and that is the only manner in which it be
done now.-Athens Wdtchp,d1. .sa.ls
Yes this ID true test. God have mercy ON the man
who grows rch richer during this war II he escapes
hell it will be by the skin Of bis teeth. Sdes6orough
Ar0ss.