Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-05-31
To the vile dust, from whence he sprung,
Uuwept, unaunored aud unSuug."

A never fitting ever accusing sense ofjustice will
continually whisper To their guilty conscIences:
Is there not some chosen curse,
Some hidden vengeance in Heavens arsenal,
Red with uncommon wrath, to blast the men,
WhO oSa tl.ir greatness to their counirys run?"
In reply to the argument of "Rtcessity" the
country asks when ard where is this encroach-
ment upon Suites rights to end In the inaugura-
ton Of this great struggle there were not want
ing those gallant defenders and champions of these
great principles every whete candidates for office
and candidates for renOwn, who were loud in their
dennnciatonS of the general government for its en-
croachments upon States Rights and anxious to
preciptate a conflict for their mlintainance, who
now tame and willing and quiet submisSionSts
We are engaged in great and patriotic struggle
for independence and freedom. Shall we sacrifice
these principles among ourselves while CALAMITY
defending them against invasion by others? Is our
devotion to these great landmarks less now thanat
the commencement of the war? Their unnecesSa-
ry suspension is but the entering wedge TO military
dcspotsm and contrary to the genius of free gov
eminent. The tendency Of power is always to
steal from the hands of the many to the few. It's
march Is steaithy and clandeStime-always under
false garo, most generally that of the tyrant's
plea, "neceSStty" If it can be made reconciliable
to the feelings and interests OF the country to ac-
quleSce IN this measure now, do you think We shall
ieel the same lively repugnance to it hereafter? 1t
has been truly SAID that no man ever became per-
fectly wicked at once, and it may be affirmed with
equal propTiety that nation never becomes en-
Shaved at once. Men must be initiated oy degrees
and their repugnance gradually overcome. These
laws form in the estimation of many great and good
men complete tyranny tyranny OF the most
OdOuS kind, because established under the mark of
liberty. WaSthe tyranny of RobespieEe less in
tolera5le oppressive otOus because inflicted in
the name of the people, than like tyranny in Tur-
key under the Grand Seignior? Why should we
for
principles? Is 1t not fresh within the recollection
OF gentlemen with what feelings of opposition and
indignation the very first advances of tyranny and
oppression were met in this State? Who has for
gotten what feelings were ELECTED by an official an
nOuncement of a politician in this State in 1861 or
1852, clothed with authority from the Secretary of
War, calling upon our citizens to surrender I'D
their private arms and weapons ofdomestic defence,
under the penalty Of seizure and confiscaton p
And how the public heart reoIced when Gov
Clark forbade its execution and protected the rights
OF individuals by solemn proclamation
But is this al? This very hall was the theatre
ola scene, which will be recorded upon the bright
est pages of history. And whatever may be the
fate OF civil freedom in this country will 90 down
to posterity, theme of admiration, long after the
names or the authors sympathizers Of the at
tempted mischief shall have been deSpised or for
gotten. allude to the attempt to fasten a lest
oath of loyalty upon the public.
We IeHeunUeT HOW puOHc mlnQ was
shocked at even these attempts Constitutional and
individual rights. But who can picture with what
storm of indignation and Sstance, violation OF
the most sacred and consecrated rights of freedom
and citizenship contained in the privileges of
hGdeds corpus and the pursuit of industrial occupa
tons without military restraints, would have been
Tetby that patriotic body? They would have
sad that North Carolina had given up her peace
her Nealth and her children but could not surren-
der hT soVeignty, her liberty and her honor.
For more than six hundred years since the stur-
DIV Bar'1s of England, wrested from King John at
Runny the great Charter of liberty, there have
beer guaIsntees in British Jurisprudence, perva-
ding the vasy spirit Of English laws and English
customs, ~ne'er'n they have gone, which have led
SO tirmB to tie esnHishment Of the great .princi-
ilicipal law OF the Anglo.saA.l commnnitv Wv
Without attempting an arguEo - ;,nn1 Tho nm
eonstitutoua}ity Of the suspension Ok IN VI
which ! thin,l IS clearly demonstrated s'1 ACT
Brown, Vice president Stephens and Gov. WV,
in his late adm rable message, it is to be deprecated
as matter Of d Dlitical policy. 1t is plain to me
that there is less necessity now for such measure
as this, than there might be even in time of peace.
For row almost ever, body is soldier. ConscriP'
ton embraces all perS 0ns between the agas OF SEQ
eateen and ftty years Except few exernRtS by
eonrtesy) who are upder rue eohtroi VI Tue HAecu
tive COmmauder.in Chief ana SUBJECT 10 martha
law. The President has thsl all TIE ara winch the