Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-01-12
AROUSE THE PEOPLE.

1t is astonishing into what apathy and seeming
indifference the people of the South have fallen OF
late That enthusiasm and sublime devotion which
seized upon them in the earlier part of the struggle
appears almost wholly to have subsidized or died
out. What has been the cause of this p? Surely
none are doubtful Of our success willing to bow
and receive the yoke of the conqueror. No, it is
not this but it is foolish overweening confidence
of security and protection behind the strong of
our defenders 1t has come to be an accepted fact
that we have power enough N the field to defeat the
invader and guarantee security to our homes, and
those outs de OF the army have learned to consider
this as all that is necessary, and that we are
ceeding well so long as we hold our own. 1t is
high time that these injurious convictions were
banished from the minds of the people, and that
they were awakened from their criminal lethargy in
to sense of their danger, and made aware of the
Importance of the struggle and the necessity of ex
erting every possible influence towards its quick
termination. Although the President assures US
that our army was never so strong it is at this
time, there never has been since the beginning of
the war such critical state of affairs and such a
splendid opportunity for successful action. Could
the Southern people be made to feel the immensely
o. the stake for which they are battling and the
peril which threatens them now, they might rush
to arms and crush the invader at a single blow not
only delivering their nation and themselves, but
putting instant close to a contest which at the
present rate of progress must draw its slow length
eminent does not appear willing to sacrifice Mis-
sssippi for the sake Of Strengthening the forces in
Georgia, and driving back Grant, why cannot the
people themselves rise with the great OCCASION and
Alabama and Georgia respond to the necessities of
the hour by placing at the service of Hardee sixty
thousand stalwart heroes who would insure victory
to our arms and end the war? But all seems sell
fshuess, apathy and indifference, and unless the
people of these Confederate States can be aroused
and made to feel the importance of the OCCASION we
can have but little hope of the early termination of
the war.
From the popular impression and belief and the
tone OF the PRESIDENTS message, it appears quite
evident that thoSe men who have substitutes in the
army and are themselves able to perform military
duty will be called upon for their services at an
early day. There will be upwards of eighty thou.
sands of these recruits. Now would it not be a
magnificent display splendid record for the pages
OF history-if o:e half, nay fourth of this num-
Der, would now anticipate by few months the call
for their services, throw themselves into the army,
and rushing with the energy of heroic courage aud
determination upon the enemy. ensure at blow
the establishment of our independence and an early
if not speedy peacc2 Who has the patriotism the
energy, the spirit to step forward and head this
movement for the salvation Of the country and the
restoration of peaceP Here is an opportunity such
as occurs but once In ages to accomplish great and
sublime purpose, which will carve thesiIlustrious
name Of the leader in it upon the heart of his coun
trymen and make the world and history resound
with his praises. Is there among millions of men
whose fiery blood is of the SOUTH no great genius
who can. mount above the common throng and
arouse his countrymen with such electric elooueuce
as poured from the lips of Patrick Henry and called
a nation to arms, or uttered by Peter the Hermit
who narshaled an entire continent for the protec.
ton OF the tomb Of our Saviour ? Noble Re0stsr.