Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-12-14
to various articles of property upon citi-
zens throughout most Of the counties Of the

" VARIOUS ArticieS Ol property uPoA OitA
xens throughout most of the counties Of the
State.
1t is not proper that the representatives
of the people shall view these things in 81
lence. After more than two years have
passed since the Inauguration of the sys-
tenn, surely it is not too soon for the Leg
islatnre of North Carolina to express its
opinion of it in plain and vigorous Ian
guage. This matter of the security Of pri- |
vate property from the touch of govern
ment is point of honor in the peculiar
civil liberty which we inherit from our an
cestors in England and upon this continent.
Far back in English history, and from the
very beginning Of our own history, this has
been considered point of vital ilnpor-
lance. We shall be recreant to our great
public privileges, if we do not brand the
assault Which is now making upon this,
their very point OF honor, in that free Ian
guage which it is our right and duty to
employ. John Hampton resisted the
whole power of the English government in
the case of Ship Money, when the assess
ment was only matter of twenty shillings,
and at that less than his ratable share of the
tax, surprising that it were legal. For that
he has become immortal with us. In this
State the government has as yet met with
no lawful resistance of these Demands.
This Acquiescenee is not upon the score of
patriotism, for the people are indignant at
the oppression. l know in my own coun-
ty of gentlemen Of most approved patriot
ism, whose eyes flashed fire at the thought
OF what had been done. 1t is idle to talk
ola free people loviag agovernment which
.robs them OF their property. The Conted--
crate government has only to persist in
this course towards Southern men, and it
will surely lose every vestige Of their af-
lection. They would be unworthy of their
lineage and of their education if it were
otherwise. They must forget many of the
martyrso Of their former liberty; they must
become cold to many of the most touch
ing incidents in the history of their race,
before they cease instinctively to turn up
Oh any organization of power that triies
with their private property.
AS to the character of the remedy pos
sessed by the people in cases OF unconstitu-
tional impressments by government direct.
ly for itself, observe some difference of
opinion between two of the ablest lawyers
this continent has produced. Chancellor
Kent regards it as the right and the duty
of the citizen to en.joia the government;
Chief Justice Ruffin regards such injunc-
ton impracticable, and says that the duty of
Congress to give just compensation for pro-
perty impressed is Of that class Of powers
which the Judiciary cannot enforce, but
which must be-" left " to the understanding
and conscience Of Congress. submit to
the House that whichever opinion shall be
considered law, the Legislature is impe-
ratively called upon for action, at least like
that presented by the resolutions.
Ii it he that person whose property
has been impressed has this remedy of in
junction, let us consider how significant
thing it is that in tho midst of spirited
people, indignant at notorious violation
Of their rights-a repeated violation in sub
stantia! respects-no one has been found to
apply for this remedy! To what shall We
attribute this inaction2 l know OF but one
explanation and that is, despair of sue
cessfully contending with the government,
or the apprehension that if they succeed
fhey may draw down upon themselves the
lualice of tho myriad of officials that swarm
in this land, and whose wrath would
produce effects greatly overbalancing their
gain by the litigation. For the rest, they
remember that they have appealed to the
Confederate government time and again
without result, or if with result, the result
OF rendering the system of ilnpressment
more rigid and severe If this apathy and
sullen despair have taken possession Of our
people, let the voice of this Legislature go
forth like the blast OF trumpet to arouse
and req ssure them. Let it be to them what
the example Of Hampden was to the thou
sands of ,rue Englishmen who had submit
ted to the ship money taxa poila for
them to rally around! Hampden did not
inquire watcher he would offend the
menials OF royal power about the year
1880 if there be such fear in North Car
DINA in 1864, having for its object the sub
ordinates of the Confederate government,
let us d" what We may for its dissipation.
Civil liberty is no weed springing spon-
taneously from tlesoil in favored regions
Its bright, consu1nifiate flower is the result
OF many ages nf attention and skill. If it
be not cultivated it will surely degenerate,
and come to nothing. Upon any appear
ance of its decay i'll North Carolina, it be-
comes us, who are in great measure its
custodians here, at least to tend and water
that fair plant whose beauty has been
derived frolfthe care and wisdom of those
who have preceded us.
II, however, it be accepted that the citi.
zen has no remedy in the process Of the
Courts, the remedy which this legislature
can give by firm protest, to be followed,
if disregarded, By such action as will en-
force obedience to- its wishes, is all that is
left to our constituents. I>have already
said that the Confederate government has
published record evidence that it pays lit
tie attention to the complaints Of the citi-