Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-11-11

way of rdd ng ourselves of it without ruin to the ne
gro. This they could have demonstrated by nu-
merous arguments not necessary to be repeated
here Such a course-Such q respect shown to
their opinions wnuld undoubtedly have averted
much of that indifference if not hatred, with which
we are now regarded by the great mass of the peo-
PIE ot Christian Europe. But so it is we are GER
talny not high in favor with any Of the great pow
ers OF Europe All that We have been able to ob.
tam at their hands thus far has been not too i'm.
partial neutrality. Adopt this fatal measure. and
1t Shy no means. certain that we can retain even
such neutrality as has thus far been observed be-
tween the two beligerents warning against each
other on this continent Nay, is it not almost Ger
tain that from neutrality their course will be
changed to hostility towards US?
We cannot Justify our course to them BY pointing
to the course of Mr.. Lincoln in using our slaves
against u.s. They See that transaction in very diff
1erent light from what we do. Their feelings being
all against the tituton of slavery and against as
for foOshy justyng it per Sc without necessity for
our dJing so, they probably regard with great COM
pacency, the course of Lincoln in liberating part
OF our slaves, and' using them as soldiers to fight
lor the liberation of the remainder. But that we
should use large part of slaves as soldiers-as
they U1H 6etiece-to perpetuate the slavery of the
remainder is an idea at which they will be horror
stricken, and which will most probably make them
change their course towards US on the grounds Of
what they may believe to be-humanitv
But SuppoSlng them not to be actuated by any
such motives, is it not highly probable, nay, almost
CERTAIN that they will regard the measure as afford
ing conclusive evidence that we are exhausted that
our cause is hopeless, and that is therefore, their
duty to interpose at once as mediators and say to
US, "lt is now self evident fact that you must fail
in this struggle, and in the name of humanity, of
civilization and Christianity, we feel it to be our
duty to nterpose to stop this unnecessary efIuSiOn
OF blocd. Return again to your farner allegiance
TO the Federal government of the United States
Having commenced this struggle to perpetuate the
institution of slavery, and having failed you are
now required 10 place it upon basis of ultimate,
If rot Immediate, extinction"
And if they should take this latter view of The
case, and of their duty therein what will there be
surprising abGut it Surely, those persons who
propose this measure, have no confidence in our
ability to succeed without the aid of the negro as
soldier. This conclusion is drawn from the fact
that no such proposition was made at a tire
when had sufficient number of soldiers to
make headway against the enemy; and from the
further fact that from the time when Mr. Lincoln
first commenced using them as soldiers we have
constantly rdicued the idea that the negro possess
sed any fighting qualities whatever or that it was
'sSible to make soldier out of him. If they ars
correct in their opinion that we cannot succeed
without the aid of the negro as sOLlier-and l
have no objection to using him for any othcrservce
then do not hesitate to say that our cause is
LOST and that should oper negotiations for
ofrestoraton as possible: ! cannot possibly
say anything else, for my whole argument is to
prove that this measure of arming the slaves would
ruin our cause, even if it were prosperous, and
cOnscientiously believe that am correct
If Congress does not take action in the matter
before that Time | hope the Legislature will speak
out in tones of thunder against this nettriOus pro-
position, for if it should be adopted then may God
have mercy upon the defenceless women and chill
dren of this devoted Confederacy.
VERITAS.