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

just consider yourself under arrest SIR" and the
terrlole representative OF an offended Government
turns upon his heel from the astonished farmer
another gentleman is waited upon while on q sick
oed, and inquired of in reference to his CROP He
mas no surplus. The agent answers that he knows
better and sits down and writes an order for one
hunhred bushels aid then goes to the brother of
the SICK man and makes seizure Of four hundred
oushels, leaving him to purchase supply for bis
own family where he may. Another, on being
uotlhed that the government will take his CROP
reples that after his tithe is paid, he ought to be
aole to dispose of the remainder as he pleased and
IS informed by the agent that he will have him i'm
prsoned 1t he sells bushel. Parties from the cities
OF from districts and places where there is short
crop are told that any -four or wheat they may pur
chase will be seized as soon as attempted to be
moved As for corn, if any can be found which has
not already been put under seizure by simple
notice that the government needs it. (even though
1t is still standing in the eld) buyers are informed
that II they can purchase for two dollars the agent
VIII not interfere; but otherwise no shipment will
be allowed. The agents attend all sales snd if corn
Is sold above two dollars il is seized at once Aud
even beef cattle, after being purchased and paid for
IN presence the agent, is impressed government
rates.
Now in view of this state of things several ques
tons arise In the first place. does the army really
need the whole crop of the country after the i'm
mediate producer is suppled? II So the towns and
cities and all non producers of grain are condemned
to starvation. If the 1.-THE Is not sufficient why
did not Congress take fifth or q half And how
has it been acertained that the the is not sufficient
when 1t has not been collected? And suppose the
whole Is needed what is the policy of collecting
Immediately, in its green state, just from the field
10 be heaped up in depots and storehouSes to waste
and rot? No farmer would sell out his whole crop
, OF corn, for example, as gathered, and put
it in heaps. He would as soon throw it in the
street If this system is pursued little longer,
both army and people will be starved in the midst
of plenty.
Thus have stated few facts out of many such
that were reported to me- where they occurred in
some instances, by the parties concerned Ii it is
answered that these are isolated and rare instances
reply they are not, but are examples of common
practice but II they were so, what be said of
system of procedure which admits, in rare in
stances, of such outrageous abuses, but that it is
false and ruinous? Ii asked why people do not
avail themselves of their remedy at law who will
take his chances there, where slow. paced Justice
even in better times, reqrires three four years to
overtake the offender? But beyond this, it must
be said that our people have submitted to these
evils in spirit of self sacrifice and patriotism be.
yOnd all praise, rather than eOen seem to put them.
selves in opposition to their government"
While on this subject we copy below the follow
ing general order, for the information of all con-
cerned:
&C. S. of America War Department, Adiutant
and Inspector Generals Office Richmond, Va, Nov.
6, 1858. General Orders No. l44
To relieve prevalent misconceptions in regard to
the policy and practice of this Department on the
subject Of impressment the following being extracts
OF General Order of March 2O;h, is reprinted:
Adjutant and Inspector Generals Office Rich
mond, Va, March 10, 1868. General Orders, No.
81. In consequence of numerous applications made
by various persons to the War Department it is ob
vouS that some miSc0nccptloa in regard to the in
strucouS of the Secretary of War in relation the
impreSsment Of supplies, must exist on the part of
the people, or that the agents Of the government
have violated their instructions: Now, therefore,
for the purpose of removing such misconception,
and to prevent any violation of those instructions,
it is hereby ordered:
l. That no officer of the government shall, under
any circumstances whatever, impress the supplies
which party has for his own consumption, or that
of his family employees, or slaves.
III. That no officer shall at any time, unless spe-
cially ordered SO to do by General commanding
in case ofexigency, impress supplies which are on
their way to market for sale on arrival
I'LL These orders were included in. the inStruc-
tionS originally issued in relation to impresSment
by the Secretary of War; and the officers exercising
such authority are again notified that any one ac-
ting without or beyond" the authority given in
those instructions will be held strictly responsible
In conformity with the foregoing, to prevent any
inconsderate action on the part OF officers or agents
charged with the duty of lmpreSsment, they are en-
joined until further ORDERS (Which will not b. given
unless under imperative exrgencies for tine supply
of the army) not to impress any neceSSariss of sub
sstence to man, owned by producers in transitu to
market, or after arrival at market unless retained
an unreasonable time from sale to consumers.
By order.
(Signed) S. COOPER,
Adj't. and Insp. General.
What most nand in tho adD Of nuh.
lie affairs at this time is the most rigid economy
and if leaders really properly in earnest,
if they equal to the crisis. we should have