Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-01-15
For The standard.


Public Meeting In Johnston County.
On Thursday, the 7th inst, q public meeting was
held at the Court house in Smithfeld, and, on mo-
ton Of Maj. W. A. Smith, Simon Goodwin, Esq,
was called to the Chair, and Col. B A Woodall and
Capt O. Lassiter, were requested to act Is Secre-
taries.
On motion of Maj. W. A. Smith, l. R WaddeI
j. R Coats BENZ. Goodwin, Thos. D. Sneed, and
Sam,l Woody, ESQ rs, were appointed . committee
TO draft resolutions for the actioB'of the meeting.
DUring the absence Of the committee the meeting
addressed in spirited and patriotic addresses bys
DIR. J. T. Leach and Maj w. A. Smith.
The committee returned and through their chair
man, L. r Waddel, Esq, reported the following
preamble and resolstions, viz:
WHEREAS, The alarming and fearful tendency Of
the Confederate government towards military des-
potism by the enactment Of unjust and oppressive
laws to her citizens is just cause OF complaints and
whereas earnest desire part as citizens Of
sovereign and independent State to restore JUSTICE
secure domestic tranquility, and perpetuate the
blessings of civil and religious liberty to ourselves
and our posterty, is just cause for assembling to-
gether, consulting for our common good, nstructing
our representatives and petioning the Legislature
Tor redress ot grievances; therefore be It.
ResOlusd, AS all political power is vested in and
derived from the people only, and that any egisla
ton by the Confederate Congress decision OF the
Judiciary denying or abridgIng their rights, would
be unconstitutional, unjust and oppre ssiEe, and
ought to be resisted by all constitutional and legal
means.
Peselued That clear and strict subordination Of
the military to the civil Law is one of the pillars OF
republican liberty and any attempt to suspend the
writ of habsas corpus or to supercede the civil law
upon the plea of military necessity, or To- institute
a"supreme law power" would be revolutionary
and despotic
ResOEred, That the late act Of Congress conscript
ing those who had put substitutes in the army was
gross violation of plighted faith between the gov
erntent and her citizens and is well calculated to
destroy the confidence of the people in the stability
Of the government the wisdom and honesty of Con-
gress and the administration.
Resol0ed That North Carolina as . sovereign and
Independent State has the right to consult the pre-
sent good and future happiness Of her citizens and
when she is forced to decide between military des-
potism and her sovereignty for the good of her Peo
pie, she will choose the latter through ConVen-
ton Of her citizens .-. :
ResolUSd That the prompt and decided course Of
Gov. Vance in maintaining the rights of the people
and the supremacy of the civil over the military
law, meets our unqualified appreciation, andwe EN-.
brace the present fit occasion to assurehim that
the people will sustain him in the protection Of
their rights and the discharge of his duties as the
Executive of North Carolina and that we most re-
spectully and earnestly request him te convene the
Legislature, at an early day, if in his judgment the
interest of the people and the maintenance of our
| i1ShIS 1S sOtSLO'6h onu n1oePShoonS oSoSS -
/ quire it -
| Resolred That we are opposed to the conscrip-
ton of any men in the State of North Carolina
until'all persons residing among usSwho claim no
allegiance are either conscrpted or sent out of the
country.
Resolped, That we are opposed to the impress.
ment law as it now exists, and wedo hereby request
our members in Congress to use their inhuencein in
modifying it and do further request them to urge
the authorities to permit the people in North Caro-
lima to retain the grain grown in the State for the
sustenance of her citizens
ResOIced, That We regard this as favorable op-
portunity to reassure brave soldiers in the field
that no effort will be spared to provide for their
wives and children, and that We exhort them not to
desert their comrades in arms but to stand by their
rights, hoping that speedy peace may be the fruit
| of their toll and danger.
| Reso10Sd, That copy of these resolutions be sent
to the Raleigh Standard for publication, and that
other papers in the State favorable to peace be re-
quested to copy.
The foregoing resolutions were separately read
and unanimously adopted
After the adoption of the resolutions, l. r. Wad-
dell being called upon made brief speech in sup
| port of the resolutions.
On motion, the meeting adjourned
sl4ON GOODWIN, Chm.
B B. A.1a1ocD 4; WooDAtI' Secretaries. =.