Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-11-04

Surgeon General oil N. u.
W. W. HOLDEN, Esq, Editor of Standard, Raj
eigh, N @,
The sixth resolution adopted by the Governors,
has been seized upon as pretext for alarm. We
do not nowspeak of any criticisms by any portion
of the newspaper press upon this resolution, but
we have reference 10 the private expressions Of ap
prehension which have fallen in our hearing or
have been communicated to 1t is very clear to
that the resolution of these Executives of States
does not contemplate the recommendation of the em
poyment Of slaves armed soldiers in the service
If any such meaning were capable from the language
of the resolution, the Conservative gives assurance
from Gov Vance, that such an idea is not intended,
but that the resolution sImply favOrs the employ
ment of slaves by the consent of the owners for.
tI6cations, cooks teamsters, ambulance drivers,
6c 1t is to be presumed we say. that this assur-
ance is given by the "Organ from GOU. Vance but
unhappy, it is too often The case, that this paper
while considered to be the Governors organ so far
varies in its positions from those OtherUise under
stood opinions of his E1ceency, that one can hard
ly, in all things, regard IL organ, without de-
| tracing from the frankness and csndor which
known characteristics of the Governors political as
| well as personal intercourse.
| But on this point we do not need to be Instructed
by the Conservative. 1t could not be supposed that
four five Governors of States, met N common
sGltation would make a recommendation so indis
| tinct upon so grave and important question. 1t
is very plain that the Governors have not intended
to touch this question at all in their resolutions
and we have idea that either of them has commit
ted himself or is prepared to commit himself upon
it. as yet, to the public. If-the war continues, it
may, probably will, come up for discussion. In the
anticipation of its probable continuance, the State
| Legislatures and the National Congress will not
throw away time in study ofthe question, both as
to its propriety and expedency, and as to the ne
cessity of putting into practice.
! The subject Of arming slaves, to some extent,
under certain contingencies and conditions, is not
| to be disposed of as an "inadmissible dea" how
| ever at first thought it may shock our received
| opinions. 1t was question antedating the war
| anticipated by very many, who felt the apprehen-
| Sion that Northern aggression would ID ultimately
compel separation-when national existence might
| have to be fought for. And with some of those
who have consistently and nationally followed the
course of events, its possible eventuality has
| been lost sight Of
We do not mean to question the opinions of those
| who have slready formed and expressed them; nor
are we at all prepared to reach the issue in
| mind at this time The example Of mankind has
! long ago settled the fact that the employ Of
the negro race in the ranks soldiers has neither
| degradation nor dishonor in it Further than thIs
the most brave, loyal and independent nations have
used slaves soldiers, with great advantage. The
| fault Of the Yankee in his employment of the negro
is that his orefathers fastened the negro upon
| N,
| the operation and that present asSailants are
the legitimate descendants of their ancestors in the
| enjoyment of these fortunes. That for this and
other considerations both their ancestors and they
| while We were of a common government gave guar
| anteeS that we should be protected in the enjoy
| ment OF the right of property in the saves-which
guarantees for better security, were made part Of
| the system of our then common government New
ertheless they the present Yankee race, and their
less remote ancestors, shamelessly violated their
obligations of faith-annulled and broke the guar
antees, and wsged continual hostility on our rights
of property, until they forced to dissolve as
sociation with them, and to form new government
! of our own. That since then, they have by artfu
dssimulation, fraud and cheatery, well by
| force gotten possession Of numbers Of slaves
and have beguIled some and forced others into their
ranks as soldiers, and employed them to fight bat
ties in behalf of towards who afraid to fght the
war they advocate and urge.
And the worst of the Yankee criminality, the
| meanest and basest of their conduct is that they
| do not mean the negro to profit by his own labor
and exposure and sacrifice, but they are employing
by his side races of foreigners who have been
| the uncompromisng foe to the negro, and who have
always attacked him wherever they have come in
contact with him; which foreigners to be the
settlers upon our lands, if their vile invasion is
| successful in our overthrow.
These are the sins, crimes-and this the dishonor
! of the Yankee, that they steal and rob US of our
| property, which they convert into instruments Of
destruction against us without intending to benefit
the agents they employ.
/ But there was never q reproach of any sort in
the employment of the slaves or Heots of LacOnia-
On the contrary, when they were transferred from
| the harsh, severe and cruel servitude which they
underwent, into the military service, they were
elevated their condition was improved; they made
safe, faithful, subordinate and brave soldiers. As
light troops they formed the majority Of the Lace
| demonan forces. Among the Dardanians, where
it was not uncommon Cor } private individual to
possess thousand slaves, they ia time Of peace
cultivated the land, and in filled the ranks Of
| the army-their masters serving as officers.
We do not intend at this tine to enlarge on this
subject, nor to assume any position, untilwe are
more enlightened 1t is q subject worthy of serious
! investigation. At the proper time it will be thor
oughly ventilated. Nothing is more true than the
declaration of President Davis purposely made, that
this war is accepted by US, and the defence in it
maintained by US, for Independence. We must car
ry the purpose of achieving independence to the last
In this purpose, the nation is day by day becoming
| more united aId determined. Every element as il
presents ITSELF necessary to be enpleyed to effect
this purpose, will be employed; and to secure its
employment, the power Of the government will be
enlarged.
The late consultation Of the Governors Of the
States, resulting it has ia practical recommend
tons and in the firm and earnest renewal of mutual
obligations towards each cther, was most happy
event Before this action q euH Chief MagistratssS