Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-12-14

er than that, the Thought Of which had
thrown MS into such conf siop. AndMheA
we consider the amOuntySf otherproperty
thus seized, we.may vigil rsndestrate at
the serious Elimination 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 far
to increase the discredit Of the securities OF
the State. Hthe Confederate government
had paid "just compensation " only to the
owners Of horses and mules for 80 much Of
that property as it has impressed. there
would have been more than a suficiency
of additional means among ns 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-
lions which | have introduced. Whilst
indignant upon this subject Of impress.
ment, I thought it proper occasion for
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
| would specify particularly the suspen.
sion of the writ of habeas corpus; the cry
for details, instead Of. exemptions; and
the scheme Of placing armed slavss 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. Isubmit that we will
not act prematurely in censnring projects
which have already received the approba-
ton, at least contingent and qualified, of
the head of the government. understand
that large armies frequently make their
advances upon the position of the enemy
by degrees. One corps moves forward
and takes its position, apd then another
makes corresponding movement, and
the movement of the whole is an aggre-
gate Of the movements OF each depart
ment. 1t seems enough to me to detect a
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
ether departments of the government be-
coming gradually educated to the Presi-
dents standard, it appears correct enough
even now to stiglnatize the steps taken by
him as inchoate steps of the administra-
ton. -.- .,-.--
There are other acts of the 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 our sense, that,
having been always free onrselves-hav-
ing sprung from free generations i'll other
lands, and from generations whose free
dom North Carolina has nurtured during
a century upon this soil-we reflect upon
them with profound agitationi 81
The third resolution utters truth which
is apparent to every one. 1t ID not only
in regard to impressments, but it is in
many other respects, that the expert
ments of the Confederate government
upon the temper of North Caroline haue
increased, 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 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. I have endeavored to
make my private and public conduct and
counsel conform to this standard; but l
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 aDhste
man cannot obtain independence in the
employment of constitutional methods of
vindicating that independence, it is be-
cause Heaven has denied to him the boon.
I'm reply to Mr. Shepherd, who had remarked
upon the application of the words rob and oppress
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 our
President and the Confederate States our govern
nent Mr. Phillips saidl
Mr.. Speaker: 1.-THE action of the Confed-
crate States has produced the result which I
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. / have no
hesitation in repeating that any such uncon-
stitntional action of tire government in
Selling private property, as has been de-
scribed, is most grievous oppression and
robbery; and I can entertain no scruples
about dealing with such action with gloves
off !! It is no time to nince words. -
admit that Mr.. Davis is my President,
and that the Confederate States is ney
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 Car 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 I would assign for