Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-11-23

The Freedom Of the Press is one Of the
great bu!warks'of liberty and can never
be restrained hut by despotic govern
men's.-V Virginia Bill Of RigAts.
Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment Of rel sion, Or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof, or abridginy
the freedom OF speech, or OF the press :
or the right Of the people peaceablv to
assemble and petition the government for
redress OF grievances -Coustitmi0n
Of The Canfederute States.
HE message Of President Davis, which
we publish to-day, is the most remarkable
and extraordinary document which ever
emanated from the Chief Magistrate of a
nation. 1t seldom occurs in the history Of
nations that any Monarch, Despot, or Die
tator, has evinced such wantcn disregard
OF the rights Of person Or property, and it
has never occurred in the History of writ
ten Constitutions that tie Executive has
Pald so little respect to the instrument
winch was intended to be his guide and
WHICH he has sworn to support.
lie snms up, i'll hattering terms, our
victories in the past, and speaks with con-
hdence OF our SUCCESS in the future, and
upon tile heel of this summing ND. he roc.
ommends the adoption of the most de-ne-
rate measures If any man had uttered the
sentiments SIX months ago, which Mr.. Da-
Wis announces in his message, he would
have been sent 10 a lunatic asylum as q ma.
mac or arrested for disloyalty and cast in
"Castle Thunder"
e MIR. Davis, tire once fearless defender of
the pro-slavery party, and the proudlv %
knowledged champion ofSouthern P;abts
Is now paving the way to universal emau,
c'patlon and unlimited monarchy.
we have, in our previous articles. ex.
pressed our decided opposition to the pro-
lect OF enlisting slaves as soldiers, and giv-
ing. them their freedom as reward for
their services: Emancipation would not
be reward, bnt punishment.
MIR. Davis wishes all exemptions renea].
ed aud the fraudulent system of details
substituted 9, or in other words, he wants
t IN Whole matter placed in his own hands,
ne wants to grasp as much power az Dos.
slDle. This, in our opinion, is precisely
III the opposite Of what ought to be done.
The corrupt system of details ought to be
abolished, and more liberal system of
exemptions adopted. Congress acted un-
wisely when it gave the President power
10 make special exemptions and to grant
details. But the evil results which follow
ea the present exemption act, are due more
u the mal-administration OF an obstinate
Executive than to the imperfect legislation
OF Congress.
The President so far forgets himself as
10 recommend the repeal Of a long list of
exemptions which have never existed ex-
cept. by his own act and his favorite scheme
OF details. His recommendation aims
manly at teachers, physicians and the
conductors OF the Press. To conscribe ed
ltors and printers will be palpable viola.
tion OF the Confederate Constitution. for it
WIN De abridging the freedom of the Press
v, which that instrument expressly prohibits
Ihe Virginia Bill! of Rights also extends its
protection to the Press. Will anv sane
man contend that the CONSUMPTION Of edi.
tors and printers, will not be an abridoe.
meht OF the freedom of the Press2 If So.
he asserts that mere machinery, press
min'on and non.paril, can publish a paper
without the aid of human agency: If