Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-01-02
The CONSUMPTION.

The Richmond Enquirer and the DestructiYeS,
have abored to make the impression, that the OBJ
ect of the Conservatives in desiring pass the ten
regiment BILL was to break down and prevent the
execution of the last CONSUMPTION So far as we
know there is no foundation for this.
The position of the Conservatives of North Caro-
lima in regard to the CONSUMPTION, is simply this:
North Carolina acquieSced in the first conscrip-
ton bill as a necessity-a dernier resort to meet
pressing exigency which the foresight of the govern
ment had failed to provide against But North Ca
rolina has acquesced in the principle of con-
stitutional deSpotic and dangerous TO liberty. Nor
does she recognize the right or duty of Congress to
pass such law, except under oyerruling neces-
sity, such was said to exist when the first bill
was passed. Her people never have given their
sanction to the second CONSUMPTION BILL nor to the
bill of exemptions passed at the late session of
Congress- Those of her Senators and Representa-
tives who voted FOR those bills will be made to feel
at the proper time, at the hands Of their con-
stituens, their stern and unqualified disapproval of
those votes. Mark what we say.
But while We say thus much, we are opposed to
any factiOus opposition to, or any unlawful proce-
II l
the duty of good citizens to obey bad law,
until it can be legitimately repealed. But we hon
esty believe. that it would be unwise, unjust and
deeply injurious to North Carolina to enforce those
laws, especially in our Western Counties, where
there are comparatively no slaves, and where their
OVERLOOKING patriotism has nearly emptied them of
fighting or working men.
Believing this, We hoped that the Legislature at
an early day, without endorsing the principle of
cOnscrption, would respectfully urge upon the
President the prOpriet of suspending the execution
of the law in this State as he is authorized by the
act to do-at least, until an imperous necessity de-
manded it. and until all the other States had an
equal pro rata representation IN the Confederate
army with North Carolina
But the proposition to raise ten regiments of State
reserves was an independent one and had nothing
to do with the conscripton. II originated solely
in desire on the pa1t Of the COnserra ares to pro-
tect our dete7cGLess Eastern brethren from utter
ruin. The Destructivcs have never seemed to care
fig about the condition of our Eastern Counties
They, haze opposed erery State measure sOhich has
looked to their protection. The bill originated first
IN the cOnUictiOn and assurance that the Abolition
government oas determined TO 8uliu0ate North Car
ottha, If IL took 100000 men to do it. They had
almost positive evidence of this. Secondly in the
taet admission of the highest Confederate author
y of its inability to afford the amount of protection
which our authorities felt our Eastern people re-
quired. This is the gist of the whole matter
In view of the above facts, it will be apparent to
every one that the passage of the ten regiment bill
is still demanded by the necessities of the case.
The failure of Foster in his recent raid must not
be understood to mean an abandonment Of Lincoln's
design. A large hostile force is certainly concen-
trated on our Eastern border, and we know not the
hour when an advance of the enemy may be made
Forewarned let us be forearmed