The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-01-12
SENSIBLE QUESTIONS.
From the Wadesboro Argus

Should exemption be granted to "members OF
the Society of Friends p
In republican and democratic government
where all are allowed the same privileges; where
there respect paid more to one than to anoth-
er where freedom Of speech is what all glory 10,
and where should take as much interest
in the welfare of his country another why, when
that countrys very hfes blood is at stake, should
not one have much TO contend for as another!
Why in var as we'll as in peace. should not every
one put forth his most strenuous efforts to promuE
gate the happiness and prosperity OF that country
his native Iand-thc shrine al which he should
bow, in cheerful obedience to whatever behests
she may decree, aud at whose altar he should be
willing, ard anxious, to offer as sacrifice his most
powerful endeavors. and if necessary his very
hearts blood. =
And why, when, in troublesome times such as
the existing state OF affairs now upon us, when the
face of nature is yelled with mnurniny and the
sunlight OF prosperity seems taken from us ana
obscur,d b. impe netrable and nminous clouds Of
coming wIath-~hen dark death hovers around us
ito meet our gaze every side, and destruction 10
every spectral form sares in our faces and ap
proachcs almost within our zach, as if to over
whe.m US, why is it expected Of me, that shout
der my uskct AID march with the embattled hosts
OF my country to meet bastard foe, and leave be-
hind nan who has as much to defend but has
CQnsc,entius scrurles against bearing arms, mere
iy because he is afraid of the whistlng of the bull
let aud the buzz;rg Of sthe bombshcl? Perhaps
it will put suspicious thoughts into the heads of
some of the readers of this article when they are
told of the astonishing increase in the numbers OF
these privileged gentlemen since the passage O: the
act exempting them upon payment OF soOo tax !;
whereas it is we'll known fact, that, before the
war their numbers were fast decreasing, Il speak
of the Church in my own State, in North Carolina
Buf, II urged 10y some, that the decrease IN the
number before fLe owing to the emgra
t.ou iron. tbs State TO Iu,liana which all know,
is rGotfls-5 nov K1t | will ask one question
"o.ct IL u'tapSn cradle. e, why is the increase
!. Ghc i:aue 41rt,u ut the Church much larger
TIA. IN tie icmaIc Ant / ask this question: not
nIcreI, tor the sake OF argument, but because
know il to be true.
And why is it thar, in some parts OF our State,
members Of all other denominations daily leav-
ing their Churches aud joining the Quakers
Call you this conscientious scrupicS against Dear
ing arms Constitutional couar3ice? Most as
suredly it is the latter, and of the people,
aud contendng for ri ghts, | must speak
against this thing Of coHntenancing man who
clothes deceit with the cloak of religion Again.
it is generally known that Quakers are violently
opposed to The institution OF slavery; in fact they
have nothing to do with man who is slave
owner but in the last Congressional election the
almost unanimous vote of the Quakers in the 7th
District given for Christias. who they knew
was large sIave-owner. Here is an evidence of
the nValidity of their faith, to say nothing of the
natural propensity that the leading members Of
their churches have for harboring deserters, there
by encouraging this most disgracetul of all acts,
and, it must be admitted by all prolonging the
| do not wish to be at varianc with the adj
mnistration. do | wish that there be dis
senting voice to the acts OF Congress, but,
of the people, must say, f"t j"stf'u-for if they
are allowed to and to enjoy the same prvi
leses as other men, and are equally protected by
the law, why should they not he made equally ~
Responsible for the security Of that law aud to give
their assistance in bearing the heat and bu,dea ui
the day in fighting for their country's rights.
when powerful foo is frying to trampIe us in the
dust : Surely, then, if they are not made to fight
they should not be allowed to vote.