Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-12-04
Tithes and Imnrassmants.

to North Carolina as to. Georgia. The tithing law
ought never to have been passed. and the sooner it
is repealed the better it will be for the people and
the country. As some evidence of the waste going
in this quarter Of the country we copy the fol-
lowing from the Petersburg Register:
"GovERNMENT TrTuE OF PoTAToEs.-A gentleman
who is frequent traveller along the line of railroads
particularly the Raleigh & CASTOR and Petersburg
railroads. says, as general thing the farmers have
promptly delivered the tthe of sweet potatoes and
that the government stores at the several depots
well stocked with this wholesome succulent But
great delay has taken place in forwarding them to
the several camps-where they would be most
welcome addition to our gallant soldiers daily fare
In some instances the potatoes rottening and if
more promptness and energy not infused into
the transportation agents. the entire tthe of these
vegetables will be total loss to the government
The agents are awaiting bags to forward them,
and say that, without bags, there would be con-
siderable loss by waste and theft. We doubt this
if they were forwarded in close cars with careful
officer In charge; but even Supposng onefourth IS
so lost is it not better that hreeourthss should reach
our troops than the uhOte quantity should perish
in the government stores, without beneftting any
body?
We fear there is little too much "red tapeism"
among the commissary agents An officer of en-
ergy, if he could not really procure bags would not
tempt to forward it those who are in so much want
of provisions. a
We notice this circumstance that our brave de-
tenders in camp may learn that the country people
have done their duty, and if our soldiers do not
ceiVe an ample supply Of this wholesome vegetable
the fault lies in the transportation agent the rail
way companies. This matter deserves, and ought
to have, an immediate enquiry, and prompt rem
edy applied"
But it seems the people are required to bear the
tithing law and impressments at the same time
1t was promised when the tithing law was passed
that impressments should cease; indeed, one of the
arguments for the law was that impreSsments
would then be. unnecessary, and would be discon-
tinued, as tenth of all the produce would be am
Pile for the government. But this promise, like
many Others has been broken, and the impress
ment law is not only in full force, but is being
cuted by thoughtesS and overbearing subordinates
under orders from commanding Generals, in such
manner as to excite the most indignant feeling
among our people. We learn that notices are be-
ing regularly served on the farmers east of this
place to the effect that they not to sell any of
their produce, after they shall have paid their
titheS, but that all they may have to spare must
be reserved for the government! In the name of
God and humanity, if this order is enforced Ohat is
to become Of the poor? They will starVel The
crops east of this, and generally throughout the
State, are shorter than they have ever been be-
FORE Thousands of poor families are dependent on
the small surplus which the farmers will have after
paying their tithes; but if this surplus is to be
impressed, whether properly used or portion of it
wasted, as is to be expected and those who have
not made enough to do them are thus deprived of
the privilege of buying, or if the Counties are not
to be allowed to purchase for them, we shall have
actual and absolute starvation in this State before
the first of March, Are our people going to sub
nit to this Will the LegiSlature-wl the Gov
ernor submit to it? Self preservation is the first
law of nature. 1t is the duty of the State govern
ment to protect the weak against the strong; and
if such protection is not afforded and that prompt
ly, the negroes on our plantations will fare better
during the present winter than the great mass of
INDECENT 1ohite people, for the master is allowed by
the Confederate law to retain enough meat and
bread for his slaves. If the lac makes no pro-
vision for the poor, let not that law take with un-
feeling hand all that the farmer has made, and
thus deprive him of the privilege of supplying the
wants of his poor neighbors.
The following extract from communication in a
recent number of the Columbia South Carolinian,
will afford readers idea of the evils of i'm
pressment in South Carolina We may look for
the same evils in every portion of our State, if
prompt steps not taken to~prevent them:
But to the facts In several large, wealthy and
patriotic districts of this State, the following con-
diton Of things exists: An agent is appointed for
tier of districts, who reports TO headquarters at
Charleston He appoints half dozen sub agents
in each district whose duty it is in the first place
to ride around and notify all the principal farmers
that the government needs all their surplus crop of
wheat, and that they must not sell to any else.
In the second place, they must exercise constant
| vigilance in preventing any breach or evasion of
these orders. If attempts to ship barrel of -four
to friend in Columbia, or in the next district who
has appealed from the oppressive prices, from
scant market a failing CROP it must be seized on
the railroad If starts to market with wagon
load of flour, (made of his own wheatO to supply
the urgent necessities of the starving city, and to
obtain his own supply of iron or salt, he must be
arrested and turned back home Or if he would go
to the factory to barter -four for thread or CLOTH
that, too, is contrary to orders, and must be pre-
| vented. These measures, and this set Of agents,
necessary TO supply the present or prospective
necessities of the army of Charleston although the
tithe has yet been collected in these same dis
| trictS.
Then there is another set of agents, who operate
in similar manner upon the corn crops, and for
the benefit of Lees army, in Virginia. They per-
nit however the sale of corn at taoO dollars per
buShe but seize all that has been sold at the higher
figure, and the whole surplus crop of the farmer
who has sold, or ofertd to sell, at higher price
The consequence is that there is corn for sale,
the farmer preferring take the chances of seizure
rather than sell at price much out proportion
md tha lot
So that in effect the whole crop of the region both
of wheat and corn, is already seized for the of
| the Government Let me give you few instances
Of the operation of this system of oppression and
espionage. A gentleman residing in neighborIng
! village writes to friend in one of the above Dis
trcts to send him a couple of bags Of fur for the
immediate necessities of his family. The flour is