Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-10-07

ruin. 1ne lntelngent people Vi VeoI ga?
already understand, and our enemy will
soon learn, that the independent express
sion of condemnation of the errors, to use
no stronger term, of the administration,
is one thing, and dsloyalty to our sacred
cause is another, and quite a different
thing. While the people of Georgia think
for themselves and will not blindly applaud
the Encouragement of our rulers, they
will never violate principle for expediency,
nor expect dishonor for reward.
The foundations of our government and
the liberties of the people, rest upon the
sovereignty of the States as their chief
corner stone. Destroy the sovereignty OF
the States, and the whole fabric falls to the
ground, and centralized power with mill
tary despotisn, takes the place Of consti-
tutional liberty.
When the passions of the people North
and South have sufficiently subsidized, we
may make peace by negotiation, but new
er by the sword.
It Mr. Lincoln would have peace and
prosperity re-established upon firm ba-
sis, let him stop the war, and planting
himself upon the principles of the Dec lar
alton of Independence of 1776, let him
recognize the sovereignty of the States,
and agree to leave each sovereign State
to determine for herself, by Convention
af her people, whoss- delegates shall be
,4irly chosen by the legal voters of the
State, without military interference or intim-
idation, what shall be her future connec-
tion-whether she will remain in, or if
ont, return to the old Union, or adhere to
the present league.
There may be doubts whether Kentucky,
Missouri, and probably other States desire
to continue their connection with the Uni
ted States, or to cast their lot with the
Confederate States. The only Just mode
of solving these doubts, is the one above
indicated. If these or any other of the
Southern States, should, in solemn Con-
vention, decide to go with the United
States, neither the Confederate govern
meut, nor the other States can object
We cannot govern Kentucky for instance
against her will, unless we can subiugate
her. This, we have no power to do with
the Northern States at her back; and if
we had the power, we have no right to
cOerce sovereign State into connection
which is not of her own choice. If this
were done, we must, in future, govern her
people by the bayonet, which would con-
vert our republication into the worst spe-
cies of military despotism. So it aust he
with the North if Mr.. Lincoln should sue
ceed in his policy of conQuering us.
If we were overrun and for time sub
dued, our territory is so vast Ill extent,
and our population SO large, that it would
take regular army of two hundred thOu
sand men TO govern and hold us in subju-
cation. The support Of such an army
would not only continue the country i'll
bankruptcy, but in the hands of the Exec
utive it would soon be used to subvert
even the form of the government and
change it from republic to a monarchy.
Thus to destroy our liberties must cost the
Northern people their own and the re-
publicanisIn of America must in future be
reproach and by-word among all ma
tons.
If President Lincoln and President Da-
Wis will agree to stop the war and transfer
the settlement of the ISSUES from the bat
tle-field to the ballot box, leaving each
sovereign State to determine for herself
what shall be her future connection, and
who her future allies, the present devasta
ton, bloodshed and carnage shall cease,
and peace and prosperity will he restored
to the whole country.
On the other hand if this is not done,
the war will last for years to come, till
both sides are exhausted and overwhelmed
with debt and taxation, when it may de-
generate into a guerrilla strife, the end Of
which may not be seen by the present
generation, and the hate engcndcred by
which will last through many future gen
eratiOns.
Neither General Sherman nor can con-
troll this, however much We may deplore it.
If those OH both sides who have ,he con-
stitutional power of negotiation, from OBJ
stinacy or ambition, refuse to recognize the
sovereignty of the States, and to leave the
settlement of the question to the States
when they cannot themselves agree, and
insist on continual effusiOn Of blood To
crafty their caprice, all the States North
and South in their sovereign capacity may
then be justifable in taking the matter in
to their own Lands and settling it as sover-
eigns in their own way.