The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1864-05-25

uihSiCW uCpoItHcHlS vi tHc Ctdtc oUFcTH-
ment. as enumerated by your body at its
late extra session. And.I now respectfully
ask ahat You indicate to me by resolution,
what persons you regard as proper subjects
for exemption.
! have taken the ground that exemption
OF State officers from conscriptiOn into the
Confederate service is net by favor of Con-
gress. but is matter right inherent in
sovereign State, and that for the same rea-
SON the State has an indisputable right to
the services of laborers and other persons
who are necessarily in her employ, though
they be not officers within the meaning Of The
act Of Congress. Should you again agree
with me in this opinion, would be happy TO
be sustained By a resolution 10 that effect.
Should you conclude to combine the
Home Guard and Militia organizations, |
recommend that the latter be preserved. /
should regret exceedingly to see the mill
tia abolished. and its organization destroy
ed. 1t is the ancient and time -honored
military institutipn Of the State. her main
dependence. in ordinary times. for the sup
preston Of rebellion and repelling of inya-
sion. and though shorn OF its strength by
the raising Of great armies. and despite its
many Shortcomings. it has been of great
service both to the State and Confederscy
during this war.
i Among the acts Of Congress referred to
that which has suspended the privilege Of
habeas corpus has most thoroughly aroused
public attention. Neither the losses incur
red by the radical and sudden changes in
the currency, nor the conscription OF the
principles of substitutes, nor the extension
Of il to such an age. and upon such terms
as 10 place the industrial pursuits of The
country at the feet of the President. mol
the heavy burthens Of taxation-none ol
these. not all of them together, have Sc
awakened the public feeling as the with,
, drawal Of this time e-honored and blood
! bought guard Of personal freedom from the
: people in times when ii is most needed foI
their protection. Il is true that our fore.
fathers assumed, and this generation has
conceded, that in cases OF rebellion ant
invasion. the public safety may sometimes
require its suspension; and. therefore, We
have conferred on Congress the power o.
safety may require it. Nor can it be doubt
ed that The power authorized to suspend
is the sole power entitled 10 Judge Of tht
necessity for the act. and if the late statut,
had merely prohibited out and out the USE
Of the wet for the time specified, there
could be no complains against its constl
tutionality, however ill-timed and unneces
sary may have been the exercise of RIGGS
SO great. But have been. as unable 4
! see, In the times. any necessity Tor deny
ing the writ, as am to recognize in tn,
law the constitutional exercise OF the favor
that is granted. Concurring in the doc
trine that the protection against the abuse
Of the Constitution of the Confederat,
States, either by usurpation Of powers OIL
|, oppressive use Of such as are granted, is tt
be found in the responsibility Of Congress
10 the people. ensured by their short tenur,
OF Office, and the reserved right OF each
State, to resume the powers delegated tC
the Confederate government, whenever il
her judgment they are perverted 10 the In
jury or oppression OF the people, deem /
i a duty deyolyed on the State, through ner
proper organs, TO make known TO that go.
vernment her complaints and to insist up.
on redress Of her grievances. Under this
idea Of duty, and in spirit Of regard for
the government Of our adoption, deem II
incumbent to present my objectionsagainst
the late act.
i II is declared 10 the preamble that " the
President has asked for the suspension,
and informed Congress Of conditions Of
u public danger which render suspension
4 Of the writ measure proper for the public
defence against invasion and insurrection." !"
Therefore il is exacied that the writ shall
be suspended as 20 !" the cases Of persons
arrested or detained by order Of the Presi-
dent, Secretary Of War, or the General
Officer commanding the Trans. Mississippi