Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-12-13

We cOnSlQer the amount III OtllSi PiOPSJ
thus seized, we may we'll demonstrate at
the serious diminution which has been &C.
casioned in the means of the people to sup
port their State government. This very
action of the Confederate States goes lar
to increase the discredit Of the securities or
the State. 1.-THE Confederate government
had paid "just compensation only to the
owners of horses and mules for so much OF
that property as it has impressed, there
would have been more than suthclency
of additional means among MS to pay the
demands upon the State treasury during
the next year.
shall detain the House very briefly in
discussing the merits of the other resolu-
tions which | have introduced. Whilst
indignant upon this subject of impress
ment, l thought it a proper occasion tor
the State to show itself not unobservant OF,
and not satisfied with the general course of
legislation in Congress upon other matters
connected with our liberty. Among these
l would specify particularly the suspen-
sion of the writ of hdbeGs corpus +; the cry
for details, instead of exemptions; and
the scheme of placing arnoed SJ00es in our
army. 1t may be said that the Confeder-
ate States ought not to be censured in the
two latter respects, as it has not yet adopt
ed either policy. | submit that we will
not act prematurely in censuring projects
which have already received the approba'
ton, at least contingent and qualified, OF
the head of the government. l understand
that large armies frequently make their
advances upon the position of the enemy
by degrees. One corps moves forward
and takes its position, and then another
makes a corresponding movement, and
the movement of the whole is an aggrc-
gate of the movements of each depart
ment. 1t seems enough to Inc to detect
movement against our rights by one part
of the government. That is the proper
time for objection and opposition to the
direction and character of the movement;
and Judging by our past experience OF
other departments of the government be-
coming gradually educated to the Presi-
dents standards it appears correct enough
even now to stigmatize the steps taken by
him as inchoate steps Of the administra-
ton
There are other acts of tho Confeder-
ate government to which reference is
made in this resolution. Of all such acts,
whether specified here or not, ] submit
to this House that such is orr sense, that,
having been always free ourselves-hav-
ing sprung from free generations in other
lands, and from generations whose free
dom North Carolina has nurtured during
a century upon this SOLVE reflect upon
them with profound agitation!
The third resolution utters truth which
is apparent to every one. 1t Is not only
in regard to impressments, but it is i'll
many other respects, that the expert
ments of the Confederate government
upon the temper of North Caroline haze
increGSed, and are increasing! The ap-
prehensions of all thinking men are thor
oughly aroused upon this subject. If such
experiments have Increased and are in
'creasing, then most aSsuredly they ought
to be diminished, and indeed come speed
lily to a full end.
1t has always been my desire that the
government of the Confederates States
should enjoy literally every power that
is expressly or implicitly vested in it by
the Constitution, especially in this time
of pressing war. have endeavOred to
make my private and public conduct and
counsel conform to this standard but
cannot believe that it is to the advantage
of rulers or people that it should be in
dulged in unconstitutional and oppressive
courses of action. If the Southern aUhite
man cannot obtain independence in the
employment of constitutional methods of
vindicating that independence, it is be-
canSe Heaven has denied to him the boom
In lu 70 NJ rhn hol IL
upon the application of the ords rob and Cypress
to the action of the Confederate States in reference
to impressments; and who had protested against
the general tone of the Resolutions and the fore
going speech, on the ground that Mr.. Davis is
President and the Confederate States our govern
ment Mr.. Phillips said
Mr.. Speaker: 1.-THE action of the Confed-
crate States has produced the result which l
have attributed to it and if that action has
been repeated and deliberate, then it in
wolves necessarily the very idea contained
in the words which have used. l have no
hesitation in repeating that any such uncon-
stitntional action of the government in
Selling private property, as has been de-
scribed, is most grievous oppression and
robbery; and | can entertain no scruples
about dealing with such action with gloves
off! 1t is no time to mince words
i admit that Mr.. Davis is may President,
and~ that the Confederate States is my
government; and that is precisely my rea-
son for speaking of them, and for wishing
the Legislature to address them in terms of
rebuke. have no interest in discussing
the conduct of the Gar of Russia, or of the
President of the United States. The rea-
son given by the gentleman from Cumber-
land for excepting the Confederate States,
is precisely the reason l would assign for
including it. How should we be interest
ed in the domestic concerns of govern
ment that is not ours? l should regard it