Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-09-09
CAROLINA STANDARD
For the Standard.
Tho Army Convention.

well calculated to excite the alarm Of every lover Of
civil liberty as the recent Convention of Army OH
GERS, held at Orange Courthouse, Va.
free peoplehave always been jealous of the pow.
er OF an army, and that jealousy has always been
increased into fearful apprehension when the army
began to interfere with the civil policy of the coun
try. History will show that such apprehensions
IA never been groundless 1tspeaks to us from
the ruins of former republics, and if we act wisely
We must listen to its eloquent warnings.
A large army formed by forcible enlistment and
CONSUMPTION, is always dangerous to republic,
and it is doubly so in the midst Of revolution. Its
organization necessarily makes it military despot
ism. No one has any freedom of opinion or of &C.
ton, except the officers; and even among the off,
GERS, prudence and desire Of promotion, often
make the subalterns silent unless they reflect the
opinions and wishes Of their superiors in command
private may not be put under arrest for any epin
ION which he may entertain and express, but he
knows full well that there are great many petty
tyrannies in reserve for him if he dares to thwart
the wishes of his officers. The private who acts
upon bis own free political opinion, will always
find it difficult to get furlough; and new hardshps
and privasions will beset his line Of duty. From
the very nature of the case a political army con.
vention will never express the free and unbiased
opinion of the great mass of the army.
When we remember how this revolution began
can put them on horseback increase the collar stare
and open up the bloody pathway of glory-it is but
natural that the people should oeg:n to feel that
army conventions are dangerous, and fear that if
they dictate public opinion, "poitical power will
soon steal from the many to the .tsu."
The Army Convention certainly entered upon a
bold coup dc man. 1t struck at once at two of the
great fundamental principles of American liberty
the right of tho people to cypress their opinions in
1neefinDs and of fbo in
enlighten public opinion.
Can the people, entertaining just sense of their
rights, submit quietly to such dictation, even if
they are in the midst of great revolution and tie
manifesto purpOrts to come from our noble and gal
LIANT armys honor greatly our glorious army
IL mas won an immortality of fame, and deserves
the gratitude and love of the whole country and
desire to pay due respect to its political action
have high admiration for every officer, no mat
ter what may be his political opinions, who by
bravery, fidelity to duty, and genius has won re-
noWn and confidence. hope that his life may be
spared, and that he may receive his just rewards;
but cannot conceded to him the right to denounce the
opinions and wishes of the people as treason, and to
counsel the violent suppression of free press. In
abundant charity believe that he has not been
influenced by partizan zeal, but that military en-.
thuslasm has tor the time, outstripped his better
Judgment Upon cool and calm reflection, 1 hope
that be may some day come back to the old doc
trines of free speech and free press" which once
he SO devoutly hoEored
While honor the good officer, love the noble
private He fights not for fame or fortune but on
~ for duty If he is SO fortunate as to escape the
perils of war; he will have none Of its trophies, but
its mutations and scars and the proud conscious
ness of having fulfilled his trust If he dies on the
bloody field, in camp or hospital his last resting
place will be an unknown grave, and soon he will
be forgotten by all the .oorld, save the broken
hearted ones at home. The private soldier but sell
dom knows any thing of the tricks of party" and
he has nothing to win in the struggle for political
honor and power The people look to his stout
arm and brave heart for defence against their foes
and they are willing to trust their liberties to his
free and unbiased action at the ballot-box. If the
Army Convention will allow the prioates to express
their opinions by secret ballot the people will hear
with great satisfaction and listen with respect to
the " voice from the army" They know that the
soldier will cast no insult or dishonor upon his
parents and kindred and in the ,oar Of liberty has
not forgotten the sacred principles which alone
make the struggle just, and right, and holy.
What IS there in the proceedings of the "public
meetings" to call down the anathsmas of the Army
Convention and that can give " aid and comfort y
to the enemys people who will tamey submit
to insult oppression and outrage can be easily con-
quered; but those who know their rights and fear.
essy assert them, will at every hazard dare main
tain them. The enemy know full well these truths
of history, and the action Of freemen can give him
no substantial comfort
In what resolution of the people turks there any
treason to the Confederate States! Can it be trea.
son for North Caroiinians to claim that North Car.
DINA is peer among her Southern sisters? Is it
because her treasures have been so freely expended
In the common defence, and the blood of her brave
sons has consecrated the soil of the other States,
while her own has been left to desolation, that she
is not worthy Of equal honor Can it be treason
in North Careliaians to insist that they have men
of capacity, intelligence and patriotism sufficient to
fill the offices in their State, and to lead their
own soldiers into battle? Must ability, integrity
and loyalty forever be imported from other States
Will not ninsty.fse thousand brave hearts, among
the living and the dead satisfy the administration
that North Carelinians can be trusted anu where
Can it be treason for "aw loving and law abiding
people to demand that the decisions of their high
est judicial tribunal shall not be annulled by the
hasty orders Of . mere Executive officer; and that
the majesty of their laws shall not be insuted by
every one who happens to have star on his collar
or straps on his shoulders ? North Carolina has
given every evidence Of her loyalty and devotion to
the South, and yet she is regarded as "nest Of
traitors" What other sacrifice must North Caro-
lima offer to make her an equal of the "Cotton
States " and the Old Dominion? In what Jordan
must she wash to free herself from the epro,s taint
Of having loved the old Union so ardently and so
long? The old State has given up her peace, her
happiness, her wealth, her children-but she will
never surrender her sovereignty, her liberty, and
her honor Upon all the points contained in the
foregoing inquiries, would be pleased if the people
derive full and satisfactory information from the
forthcoming address of the Army Convention.
l am opposed to some of the resolutions adopted
in few of the "public meetings." cannot sane.
ton that resolution which advises resistance to the
tithe los0. This Jewish law is extremely odious,
but still it is the law Of the land. The jew has
high seat in national sanhedrim, and generous
confidence in the government ought to induce our
people to submit TO the law while in force; and
punctually and faithfully pay their titles, even to
the last ephsh of barley, to the political priests
and Leuites. But the Mosaic dispensation has long
since passed away before a higher light, and our
people ought to demand repeal Of this odious law
even if it does give offence to the "powers that
be-" and the Army Convention.
cannot favor any resolution which at this time