Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-03-10
REMARKS OF HON. J. r.. MCLEAN,

Delirered in the House of Representatives. Of the
Confederate States, February 18th, 1868.
Mr.. Mclean asked the indulgence Of the House
whilst he submitted few remarks. When these
resolutions were introduced, he did not intend to
have uttered single word, but after the most ex-
traOrdinary speech Of his colleague (Mr. GaitherD
he felt called upon to say few words
The resolutions fully and completely endorse the
Loyalty of the people of North Carolina to the Con
federacy, and in that he most cheerfully and cor
daily concurred. The unanimity with which her
Convention had passed the ordinance OF secession
the large number Of troops which she had raised
both by volunteering and conScrption-the Sacri-
fees they had made and the bravery and heroism
which they had displayed every battle field since
the commencement Of the War, moro amply vndica-
ted the State from any slanderous charges of dis
loyalty, than any legislative resolves could posi-
bly, do. When portion of the Legislature, doubt
less acting under the BELIEF that their State had been
neglected, had attemptcdtc pass what is known as
1.-THE Ten Regiment Bill" it had been made the
subject of severe criticism and comment both in and
out Of the State. Its progress in our legislative
halls had been watched with the most intense anX-
icty from all parts Of the republic. 1t was believed
by many, that the passage Of such a law would be
practical notification Of IAN act Of Congress, and
was calculated to bring about collision between the
Confederate and State authorities Its defeat, how
ever, by the Senate, after it had become apparent
that the whole power Of the COnlederacy would be
welded if necessary for the defence Of North-Car
dina had been everywhere hailed with the livelicSt
qualification. He did no. iInpugn the motives Of
the authors and advocates Of that measure, and
gratilied that they had indicated themselves from
what they conceived to be Slanderous charges
against their State.
But why his colleague, mr.. t;aithcr,) should have
introduced into this discussion the subjects Of the
right OF secession and conscripton, he at loss
to imagine. He hoped that his colleague did not
desire fan the flames Of party now to an injurious
extent existing in good ole State.
Whatever may have formerly been the opinion Of
her people to the abstract right of state to Sc
cede, her Convention had exercised that right in
common with all her sister States of the South
lie could see no good but much harm to arise from
this attempt to revive former political animosities,
which he fondy hoped had been buried forever.
He had voted for the conScript law, entertaining
the honest belief that it was both constitutional and
necessary. lie did not intend now to discuss that
measure Our patriotic Governor, a statesman and
soldier in his inaugural address, had declared it as
his opinion that the passage Of the conscEpt law had
been tho salvation of the country, and had invoked
the aid of all patriotic citizens of the State
in its faithful execution. Every intelligent per-
son must know that it is the only mode by
which the ranks Of our gallant army can be filled
The necessity for keeping those ranks well flied, IS
as great as ever heretofore. lie deprscate ed for
these reasons the attempt OF his colleague to array
the preiudices Of the people against the only law by
which our armies can be filled up. At proper
time he was prepared to discuss fully its constltu-
tionality and necessity, and he believed that III that
opinion he would be sustained by an overwhelming
majority Of the people of North-Carolina.