Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-12-16
5eni-4Deeklq gtanharh.
For the Standard
TO THE PEOPLE OF NoRTH-CARoLINA

Pitt, Fox, Wilkes, Barre and others stood
up in their places in the Parliament of
Great Britain and openly denounced the
corruption of their rulers and their at
tempts to usurp unauthorized powers
These were bold men, but the people like
bold leaders, and will stand by them -
These meuAvere backed by the people,
and the tyrants whose corruptions they ex-
posed, and whose exercise of unconstitu-
t!onal powers they opposed, dared not lay
their hands upon them; and a despotic
ministry was at last levelled before their
sturdy blows, and the great principles Of
English liberty were restored in all their
strength and vigor.
Have we in the Southern Confederacy
men of sufficient boldncss toOssail the corr
ruptions of our rulers, and of capacities
sufficient to expose them ito denounce
the exercise of unauthorized, unconsttu-
tional and dangerous powers on their
part, and to lay bare their insdious Ell
croachments upon the rights and liberties
of the people? If so, in the name of that
liberty baptized in the blood of our ances
tors and bequeathed to us, let them ap-
pear. Let not threats intimidate them,
nor persecution tnrn them aside from their
purpose but let the stern rebakes and
bod denunciatiOns of patriotism be heard
in tones deep, determined and unmistake
able. By such men the people will stand,
and shield them from all Vaccinations for
their destruction. 1t will be the voice of
liberty crying against oppression, and the
people will fly to the rescue.
lEotr liberties are to pass from us-if
freedom is to become thing that was, but
is motif orr Constitution is to continue
All lndia-rubber string or sheet of hrirle
glass, to be stretched or broken at the will
of those sworn to support it, and to whose
hands we have entrusted its safe keeping,
let rs not, as people, have it said of us
by the world that we deserve our fate,
which would be true, for tamely, basely,
and INCREASINGLY submitting to it. If we
are to be subiugated, let it not be by those
we have chosen to lead rs to independence.
If we are to be ensaved, let it not be by
those who have undertaken to be our de-
iverers. If we are to be conquered, let it
be only when our arms are nerveless; and
let us not INCREASINGLY yield, one by one,
and step by step, the great inheritance be-
queathed HIS by our sires. To wear the
yoke Of despot is CALLING enough, even
when compelled by brute force to bear it !;
but it is worse, thousand times worse, to
submit abiectly to the burden. In the
former case we should have the SYM
patty of the world, as have the brave but
crushed people of Poland and Hungary :;
but in the latter we should have, as we
should deserve, the scorn of all mankind,
added to our self-reproaches and our own
sense of merited degradation.
The time for candid reflection, and for
bold and candid discussion, has arrived
1t is time for us to consider whether we
are not fighting for change only of des-
potisms Shall we rebel against one tyran-
ny but yield to more oppressive one p
While striving for deliverance from one
yoke shall we meekly bow our necks to
receive another? Is it only change of
masters we desire? Are we willing to be
, erslaved? And are we fighting only for
our choice whom we will serve? l say it
is time for the people to ask themselves
these questions, and calm y, seriously pom
der them.
am aware that there are Castle Thun-
ders and other Bastlles for the reception
of those who dare to exercise common
sense in their reflections, and to express
tiuns. / am aware that it is accounted
treason in certain quarters for one to speak
or act as Judgment and common sense die
tate. l am aware that an expression of
opposition to any course of conduct on the
part of our authorities is tortured into OPP
position to the government itself, and made
the foundation for an accusation of disloy-
atty. But though Castle Thunders and
other similar institutions may contine the
body until its proud spirit 'even frets its
life away, they cannot contine the mind
nor stife the voice ofliberty. Even from
their gloomy recesses that voice will 90
forth in thunder tones to arouse the peo-
pie to action against oppression.
The writ of ha6eas corpus, the great
hulwark OF English liberty, we are credi-
bly, informed, is about to be suspended
again. We have once submitted. to its
suspension for a short period, and in my
opinion we therein not onl y erred, but sin
ned against liberty. We are not even in
formed upon what pretext the suspension
is asked for, and we are not to know by
whose votes it is done. In the dark and
damning depths of secret sessions this vile
deed must be consummated, and the peo-
pie must only know and feel oppression
without being able to point out those who
have lent their aid to thus outrage their
rights. Let such measure be ATTEMPTED
in Great Britain, with no more cause for
it than exists here, and those who attempt
it will pay the forfeit that freedom should
ever demand from tyrants.
Has war so demoralized MS that we have
ceosed to love liberty, and lost all DISPOSE.
ton to resist wrong and oppression except
: when attempted to be exercised upon MS
by Yankees? Have we submitted to
nf an. rinhtn a..