Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1865-02-03
Exciting and Eventful Times ]


We are no alarmst. We do not wish to add to
the excitement already prevailing among the peO'
pie. But we feel bound to declare that the Confed-
eracy is in the very crisis of its fate and that the
greatest wisdom and prudence are necessary to pre-
serve society itself from anarchy and bloodshed
The most monstrous propositions are started in
Congress and elsewhere, and every effort will be
made to force these propositions on the country
Many of those who should be pradent and cautious
at q time like this, and who should bring common
sense and an ardent attachment to constitutional
liberty to the discharge of their public duties, ap
pear to have mbibed the desperate spirit of the
times, and to be 6eterminsdsn en- measures which, if
carried out will inevitably terminate in the loss Of
independence of property aad in the total destruc
ton of Southern society. We state the fact that
Gen. Lee himself is in favor of emancpatng all the
slaves in the South, and of putting three hundred
thousand negro fellows into the army at once as
soldiers We state this fact with the utmost con-
Germ. We fear that Congress in secret session, by
the votes of the foreign States Of Missouri and Ken
lucky will pass the measure, and that these negro
fellows will be collected at once by impressment
and armedl
The proposition to emancipate our slaves OF both
sexes, and arm the male slaves, is not merely an
abolition measure, but it is confession of su5ju-
CATION. 1t surrenders the great point upon which
the two sections went to war. If adopted, it will
release every State from its obligations to the Con-
federate compact and will leave them free the
winds to do as they please. Such measure, if
submitted to, will commence with abolition and
end in negro and white equality, in amalgamatiOn,
and in al the horrors of St. Domingo Insurrection
These things, if not certain, are probable. The
people of this State might be willing to part with
their slaves if they could do no better to end the
war; but they not willing to part with them in
order to prolong the war.
Under these circumstances, not to mention others
of vital character, We feel that the Legislature Of
this State ought not to think of adjourning Mat
ters of the last importance may require the action
of that body at any moment The opinions and
views of our members of Congress are entitled to
the most respectful consideration. They have means
of information which the people at home cannot
have We are not authorized TO speak for them
but we happen to know that such men Us Graham,
Gilmer, Logan, the two LeacheS, Fuller, Turner,
and Ramsay would regard an adjournment to any
distant day as exceedingly inIudicioss The time
may come and may not be far ahead, when they
will advise the State to act as to save her people
and her social structure from utter ruin. Let the
Legislature at least remain until the commissioners
sent to Richmond can return and make their report
We still think however, that Convention should
be called and the the question is submitted
to the people the better. We will have to come to
that at last and why not now?