Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1865-01-13
GeOFeia.

The Augusta Chronicle and Sentinel'o the 7th
instant, contains an article headed " The Duty of
tAs Hour" from which we make the following ex-
tracts:
The country is in deplorable condition. Our
military disasters have brought US to the verge of
rum. This great State has been sacrificed We
DO not charge it as the result of any purpose to
punish It is not at all necessary to treat the ques
tion In that spirit. But it is uow part of the his
tory OF the eventful times in which live, that
hostile army has been permitted to march through
Georgia, spreading desolation in its advance, with.
OUT any vigorous effort on the part Of those who
control the Confederate Government to arrest or
defeat it; an army deficient in supplies; wanting
ammunition to fight single pitched battle;
army that might have been captured to the last
man, by proper employm ent of the forces under
the control of the President. The audacity of the
march was only equaled by its complete success
Inc veteran regiments of Georgia were ranged
along military lines elsewhere and their own great
State stripped Of her natural defenders, has been
lett a. the mercy of the INVADER who left the noun
tain region with his battalons and his wagon trains
and plundering and spelling as be passed on,
marched straight to the sea.
We have said that our military disasters do not
constitute our greatest calamity. There is on the
part OF the people Of these Confederate States,
want tot confidence in the capacity Of the Admins
uatlon at Richmond to conduct the affairs of the
Goveinment successfully. That confidence has
long Secn declining 1t has ceased to exist We
DO nol write this IN any other spirit than that of
an earnest statement of our estimate Of the state
| OF the country. We have reached q crisis The
vesset e on lee shore; the of the breakers is
heard tlse storm sweeps with terrific power
through the rigging; the helm is powerless; the
hand that grasps it is too feeble for such task. At
this solemn hour what is to be done It is no light
thing to Offerscounsel at such time.
One thing is quite plain. 1t Is the right OF the
nQODln n no<l1 fhar IL ac
Georgia may meet in convention to deliberate upon
| the affairs OF the Commonwealth They are the,
real parties in the tremendous issue which is to be
settled by the revolution now in progress. The
Legislature does not represent the people in their
sovereignty. 1t is law-makng body. Its func.
tions are specific and limited. 1t can do nothing
which affects the organic law of the State. But
convsntion would represent the sovereignty of the
| people; 1t might create, change, or destroy. It
might be well at this time to bring the people of
Georgia together to consider the state of the coun-
try Surely, when the life of the State is in jeo
| pardS it is eminenty proper that the supreme pow
er in It should consider its condition. 1t might at
least adyise, if it did nothing more. 1t might in
struc5 if it did not act
Tbs scheme of negotiating with foreign powers
for the abolition of slavery within the States, is
freely discussed. negotiation, too, to be con-
Quoted by the Confederate Government The pro-
| position is a monstrouS one. We do not now speak
Of tina policy of emancipation, immediate or re-
mote But we do say that to claim for the Confed-
crate Government the power to negotiate at all
upon that subject, is q monstrous assumption
That government possesses no right whatever to
control slavery. The System of domestic serVitude
as 1t exists in these States belongs to the people of
the SEVERAL States. 1t is for them to say when it
shall case to exist TO advocate the right Of the
| Confederate Government to dispose of slavery, is
to exhibit very imperfect acquaintance With the
structure of our government The Confederate
L.. - r.
its existence or its modification Of form can be con-
cerned than it has over serfdom in Russia, or the
apprentice system in England.
Upon this subject and upon other questions af-
fecting their rights, the people Of Georgia may well
speak A Convention would be able TO define the
relations of the State to the Confederate Govern
men, to other States and to dispose Of all questions
affecting the interests, the welfare, and the honor
of this great Commonwealth.
The state Of the country certainly demands the
exertion .f itS highest wisdom patriotism and vir
tue. In bther words, the motto uErthe State may
now inspire our eOunsels; "JUsrIcE, WIsDON, Mop
ERATloN.
The Cdnstitutionalist, an administration paper
also printed in Augusta unites in the call for
Convention. 1t says.
"In times of great danger to the State it is vel
that the people assemble. We are not afraid t
trust Georgia. And while this paper has been
warm supporter Of the administration, because o
its earnest love Of the cause in which Georgia ha:
embarked her fortunes and her honor, and while W,
admire the President, and have unbounded faith il
his honor and his patriotism, yet We call for th
Convention, that the world may know who we ar
where we stand"
Some months ago it was treason in North Carroll
ma to advocate Convention. But here are two o
the leading papers Of Georgia out for Convention
and one of them urges it yehemently, in order t.
"dehne the relation of the State to the Confederate
government, to other States, an6 to dispose of al
questions affecting the interests, the welfare, ant
the honor" of Georgia If the Legislature of Geor
gia should authorize a Convention, Gov. Brow
would no doubt see to it that the people had fai
opportunity, unmolested by mobs and bayonets, t
elect delegates, men Of their own free choice; bu
could we hope for anything like free election o
delegates in North-Carona3 Judging by the las
election in this State, and from what we know O
the feeling of President Davis and Gov. Vanc
towards our people, could not, unless the peopl
should go to the polls with arms in their hands, ant
fight for their right of suffrage. Free Government
as dsriVed from the poTer of the people, has cease
to esist in North Carolina. This fact is so appa
rent that no intelligent citizen of the State will ven
tura to deny it. But it is not so in Georgia. Th
peop pie of that State haze GOusrnOr. They have
Governor who win protect them in all their consti
tuonal rights, and who will see to it that they ar
allowed fair play at the polls. Let Georgia call he
Convention. Let the people speak. Despots, aristo
Gratis and monsrchists may fear the people but Ih
sc essles Of Jackson n piaE, ,peEsr feel bette
Or ssssF tnaa when Pecfs sars nttsrinE thsG
voice in public affairs. -.
The. Fire I'm Charlotte.