Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-10-28
To t. Freemen of the Eighth Congressional
District, composed of the Counties Rowan,
Cabarrus, Union, Meckienburg, Castor, Lin.
coin, CataWba and Cleaveland:

coin. Catawba and Cleaveiand:
FELLowC CITIZENS Having, at length after much uu'
avoidable delay and with much dfdence acceded to the
wishes Of my friends to become candidate far Congress-
hasten to the fact and take this method Of
publishing synopsis of my views on the most prominent
subjects of public interest.
abored for its preservation with the most unring ZEAL
until cite logic of events" aud the famous proclamation
Of Abraham Lincoln left no alternative in my opinion
but to take up with the seeded States for the de-
fence of common rights. Consequently, acquesced
in The separation of North Carolina from the Northern
States and holding their people enemies in war;
defensive the best avenue to national indepen.
deuce, and an honorable peace.
A Christian people, however should not be too sens-
tive the subject of honor when principle is not nYo
ved anda brave people shOnd carry the olive branch OF
peace in hand and the sword the other And mas
much. Mr. Lincoln has recently announced that any
compromise shall not be rejected proposed BY any
M those controlling the army think it advisable that the
President should instruct those having this power to open
negotiations for peace. subject however to the supervs
ion Of the reamakng power of the government or the
decision of the people When armies are Victorious
they propositions for peace on the ct our
national independence may be made and received with
the least prejudice to interests and honor but does
to that those in power, canuot be entirely ncqut
ted Of permitting opportunities of this sort to pass BY with.
The necessity a ged for the enactment of the conscrpt
laws indeed it existed the result of waRt Of
forecast the part of those who managed public affairs
regarding those laws of doubtful eonsttuonaiity and
and expedency, could not have voted for them bad
been in Congress But not their repes and ad
wise prompt and cheerful aequeseence in Their s
the continue much longer it will be necessary to mod
ify, if not entirely abolish the Exemption acts:
Neither the Tthe the Funding. nor the lmpressment
laws are necessary in my opinion in any other sense than
the result Of improvident legislation The :" tax in
knd portion of the 1.-THE law, should be modified as to
operate particularly those products necessary
the support of animal life upon the farmer The
plus should be taken; those who have none should not
be forced to give what they cannot while those who
have should give ALL if necessary. Let the currency bs
placed upon footing and the Tithe law will be no
longer necessary.
Ifthe impressnent law is not repealed it will be neces
sary provide with certainty that the provision OF
the Constitution which declares that private property
shall not be taken public without just comPense"
ton shall not be violated 1t admits OF grave doubt
whether property be taken for ption under
Constitution which limits its taking to the us" of that
property.
writ fha6eas eo,pa is limited but agree to its
cxercse-the privilege of the writ is too invaluable to free
Much less would clothe the President with this
power The personal liberty of the people should not b
in the keeping Of any however pure exalted
Mr. Jefferson in favor of "the eternal and unremittng
force Of dbs corpus laws aud history has not yet prov
liberty in order to obtain more that way we may some
day. lose what We have can political power vested in
and derived from the people only and their right to the
arms to assemble together to consult for their common
good and not to be deprived of life liberty, property,
without due process of lwal these and more con-
~
turn with almost idoatrous devotion-nor they bs
suspended abolished by free people, or their represen-
There are those-I hope they are few-who desire
strong gov ernmentwho advocate the closing of our Leg
sative halls and Courts of Jusicethe overriding of all
other laws BY Military lawhe concentration Of the whole
force of the people the hands of military Chief and the
reduction Of the army near posi- be 10 perfect ma
chne-n word, they want Dictator, aud would obtain
Military desposm. Whether in out of Congress- such
views shall receive aid comfrt from me. Military
law should, and does apply to the army only Civil law
coptrois civilians and soldiers aso but Martial law. which
the abolition of all civil laws. cannot exist in tho
Coniederacy Let the laws Civil and Military be enforced
within heir respective spheres and their majesty vndica
ted against all offenders whether Of citizens soldiers
especially let see to it, that republican liberty suffers
detriment.
The habit Of in secret incompatible; t s;. With
suents which Of the very essence Of free government
and nothing but the most memorable necessity affecting
the sal vation of the country can justify its contnu-
ance. ..
The organization of the Confederate governmee shou
be completed as possible, by nstituing upon
a proper basis a Supreme Court. This, in my opinion
has been too long delayed Until is done, complaint
should be made that the State interpret the
The wages Of tho soldier are utterly inadequate to hi.
wants. and those of his family, especially in these
times Of speculation and e1tortion, and am in favor
their increases but could the currency be reduced and M
necessaes Of life increased this would not be so neces
sary. Speculation and exorton, ALSO would in gres
measure abate.
The rights Of the States should be guarded with unit
ring GLANCE while the powers delegated 10 the Confed
crate government should be duly observed Hence de
uand for the legislative. judicial aad Executive decisions
ct North Caroline, full faith. credit and respect and re
gurdng soldiers in the field. equally brave and patr
oic with any in the world and her people, at home, bot
patriotic and competent, insist that they be apponte
n fill the Offices within the State. -.
The administration of the government shall receive fror
me- if elected oil proper and due assistance and sba
not fail urge all neejful reforms and hold the admiu
traon mp To the condemnation of the people, shou it
my opinion deserve it, To the army, shalt give ever
constitutional encouragement, comfsrt and succor-to th
penpe every possible prot in their ancient bertie
fassaea; and shall all lawful and honorable effort
to bring sbnu the h,oyon days and heavenly blessings
I Esoce with Independence.
Iudulging the hope that some would become can
didato who would these views and feelin
almost nsuperable dfidence to undertake even th
partial of the interests at stake in these
rang times Of strife and carnage have too long d
oyed becoming candidate to the whole district
partial canvass even If desirable may be prevented
pressoaaI dutes and obLgaton Under these disadval
ageous circumstances must appeal to hosA who endor
those views to it that they idely dssemiu
ted as possible, both at home and in the army.
Electors at home vote on the 4th Of November iu Il
army the 10Th Of October, making returns within
days. Most respectfully,
Oct. Ia, 1868.