Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-12-06
Fur the Standard.
A Letter from Hon. j. I. Leach.
KessrS Snead, Smith and BanGs:


the Legislature Of North-Carolina, and the repre-
sentativeS of my native county in that body, are
sufficient reasons for speedy compliance with your
request on my part
The expression Of your continued confidence in
my judgment and zeal in the cause of civil AND re-
hgious liberty, is properly appreciated trust
that may not only enjoy your confidence, but that
| may continue to merit it, by prompt and faith
full discharge OF the onerous duties imposed on me,
the representative of the people of the third Con-
gresSional district of North Carolina.
In your letter you expressed the wish that
might give you my views the state of the coun-
try. 1t is subject of such vast magnitude, and in
wolves 50 many contingencies, that fear Shall not
be able to do justice to it in the small compass of
letter; and in complying with that wish, | shah
necessarily con6ne myself to the bloody war now
desOating our country.
1t is subject OF paramount importance, in COM
pariSon with which all others dwndle into insg-
nihcnnce. 1t is the pivot upon which not only our
future happiness or misery turns, but our very
existence in which | feel the deepest So
licitude, and if there is any thing earth in
which desire to bear humble part, it is the
bringing this bloody strife to an honorable termina-
ton. No sacrifice is too great for me to make, not
Incompatible with sense OF honor, my duty to my
constituents and my God
The condition of our country, like all others sim
ilarly situated is deplorable indeed. That we have
arrived at an important and fearful crisis in the his
thinking man and the recent election of Mr.. Lin
coin to the Presidency Of the United States is well
calculated TO intensity the feeling and add interest
to the subject on our part. His re election is en-
dors ment of his past policy the part OF majority
OF the Northern people and whether he pursues in
the future the same policy that has marked his past
course, is for him 10 determine. Upon that policy
we must shape course. Though among the
Northeh people there may be intestine feudS and
differences yet III opposition to they unit
That fact alone should admonish us to husband our
resources and bring TO bear full strength in de-
fence OF our inalienable rights as freemen If Mr..
Lincoln is still memorable to the demands of Justice
and the cries of suffering humanity, the fearful re-
SponSbility rests upon him and not upon US. When
the alternative OF death, or subjugation without
terms is presented, freemen will not hesitate to en-
brace the former, and abide its consequences be
they so fearful We trust in God that that al
tentative may never be forced upon u.s. These two
peoples have bled long enough their past sacrifices
ought to suffice If unfortunately Mr.. Lincoln
should be memorable on the subject Of peace, not
withstandng our disparity in numbers and their
superiority IN the appliances Of war, the instincts
OF nature ard our nights as freGmen demand that
we should prepare for the worst; that we should
bring 10 bear all our resources and confront his
hosts with an "unfaltering trust" strong arms aud
uubrOken front
The past history Of this war on our part shows
many shortcomings indScretOns and abuses of
power that well calculated to create disrust in
the ability Of our authorities and dissatisfaction
among the people, A disposition to usurp power
on the part OF the federal government is, regret
to say, one of the most prominent and whether it
be from patriotic or wicked motives is for them not
Inc to say. | will do them the Justice to say that
up to this time the disposition seems greater to &C
qure unwarranted powers than TO exercise them
We should watch with Vigilant care the landmarks
of civil liberty, and rebuke promptly any attempt
10 oversride the laws either by the civil or military
authorities. The strong arm Of civil law is omnip-
oent against crime if placed in the hands of honest
men. Sad indeed would be our condition if at the
close of this ,trr, we should find ourselves under
the heel OF military despOtSm, without independence
or civil liberty.
While it is cur mperiOus duty to h lsband our
resources and bring to bear the energies of the
whole country in defence of our rights at the same
time deem 1t equally important that we should
attempt to open the door for peace by initiating
negotiations with the federal government Oojec-
tons are raised to negotiations by the anointed be-
cause Mr.. Lincoln has refused in advance to nego-
tate with the Confederate authorities Admitting
the truth of their objections is that any reason why
we should not endeavOr to find other door, by
which the federal authorities might be approached
on the subject of peace? Surely not
Heretofore we nave tried various nostrums for
peace that neither common nor the experience
OF nations has sanctioned Let US profit by the ex-
periences of the past Let us not despair of the
republic before trying remedies, in my Judgment
more likely to succeed, than those that have been
tried and failed. The most successful plan is that
of State action based on.State sovereignty and indie
pendence; and the sooner the States move in the
matter the better it will be for the country and the
termination of the war; l do not wish to be under
stood as recommending separate State action, with
out our first consulting with sister States | think
there should be concert Of action. 1t would be a
movement Of such magnitude and Importance that
the maturest deliberatIon should precede action
would Oe the last man on earth, who would know
lngiy add anything to the horrors o. this war.
None but madmen and monarchists could object
to the action Of the States in this important crisis
where so much is to be done and so little has been
done towards bringing cruel and fratricidal strife
to an honorable Termination. / base my argument
Tor State action upon the fact that the relations Of
the States to the Confederate government are very
different from what those relations were in the fed
eral government Under the federal compact the
States surrendered part of their sovereignty for the
purpose of forming moro perfect union than ex-
listed under the articles of the Confederation I'm.
der the Confederate league the States surrendered
neither their Sovereignty nor independence, but ex-
ercsed both in the formation Of that government
| Hence the government has no right to exercise any
powers, that the States in their sovereign and indie
pendent capacity have not the right to exercise
On the other hand am clearly of opinion that the
States have the right to exercise any powers that
they delegated 10 the Confederate government that
their common agent refuses or negects to exercise
for the common good. The Confederate govern
iAent was not created for the purpose of exercising
any extra legislative judicial powers, but
fur the more convenient execution of the laws and
administration Of justice
regard it as an fortunate thing that the Legisla-
ture of NOrtt-Carolina meets at so early a day.
That body has ali important duty to perform IN this
bloody drama. hope it will come promptly to the
full! measure of its duty. trust some member will
bring prominently before that body the subject of
States rights and State action in behalf of peace
feel confident that the peoples representatives will
use all constitutional and lawful means to arrest the