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


:arily suspended, and now the whole country is
looking with anxiety and dread for fourth attack
upon this palladium Of personal liberty. The con-
script law has been enforced with merciess severity
and even women and children have not escaped the
rigors Of its execution. In spirit of patriotism
ihe people have toiled on their farms and in their
workshops for the public good, and they only ask
lust compensation for the surplus products Of their
.abor. This has often been refused, and the fruits
OF honest Industry have been unjustly and harshly
impressed The popular voice and will disre-
garded and In secret session the representatives OF
the people are discussing and acting upon the
dearest rights Of .freemen, and thus seem to be
conscious that their deeds are evil. Useless pup
pets and provost guards in every town and almost
upon every highway are constantly reminding the
people that their former liberties are gone. With
course Of conduct like this do rulers expect that
wronged and oppressed people will rally to them
with an ardent patriotism and unyieidog devotion
Do they hope that by injustice, deception and the
strong arm of military power they can successfully
fight out professedy begun for equality, justice,
truth and ibertyf If they do, in my opinion their
hopes as delusive as the widest dreams of the
fanatic and enthusiast But let them always trust
the people, and treat them with justice and proper
kindness, and soon brighter day will dawn upon
our dark and gloomy fortunes Our people are not
yet subjugated and never will be until their lber-
ties are destroyed at home. They still have the
strength, energy, patriotism and vaor to meet the
dangers that surround them, and if our rulers will
but win their confidence and love, they will still
raise their bleeding and oppressed country from the
dust, and send her forth upon the high pathway of
GLORIOUS destiny.
Mr. Speaker at the commencement of this revo-'
luton we were much encouraged and strengthened
by the hopes of speedy foreign recognition. Our
leaders prophesied that staple products were so
indispensable to the prosperity of England and
France that these great powers would be compelled
to take sides with the South, or at least give her
tine aid of their sympathy and recognition. These
vain decisions have long since passed away. The
great masses of anti.slavery England and France
are our decided enemies, and have furnished much
material aid to our Northern foes. The anti
slavery feeling is fanatical in Europe than 1t
is in New England, and no king could long sit
securely on his throne if he were to become the
ally of slave republic. In this CONTROVERSY Exeter
Hall controls the policy of England, and the word
eseLlUdle would rouse the excitabls Frenchman to
the madness of revolution. The commercial classes
of Europe are greatly interested in continuance Of
our struggle. Our gallant privateers have rendered
Yankee commerce insecure and foreign shippers
are deriving immense profits from their largely in
creased carrying trade, and Collie Co. and others
engaged in blockade running give some credit and
currency to our cotton bonds and other securities,
but all of their sympathy is founded upon the basest
selfishness. We now have no hope of foreign aid,
and if we fight out this war we must do so by our
own proweSs ; aud like Charles XII of Sweden,
we NAV win the admiration of the world for obsti-
nate and chvalrous valor, but posterity will award
US but little credit for discretion and diplomatic
wisdom
Mr.. Speaker, at the beginning. of our national
troubles we had another wellgrounded hope of
success, a divided North. A majority of the popu-
lar votes at the North was opposed to the election OF
Mr. Lincoln, and in favor Of the constitutional
rights of the South. The precipitate action of the
cotton States and their subsequent uncompromis.
ing policy increased greatly the power Of sectional
influences at the North, and thus diminished the
number Of our friends and Sweled the ranks of our
enemies. Such has been the policy of the Precipt;
tdtors aver since, they have continually aided the
Black Republicans in defeating the conservative
men of the North. The gallant and liberty loving
democracy of the North have had to struggle
against fearful Odds In their front the energy,
prestige and despotc power of the abolition govern
ment sustained by bitter sectional prejudices and
in their rear were the fierce batteries of Southern
denunciation and uncompromising hatred. They
fought good fight but were overwhelmed. The
peace men of the North and South have thus far
shared the same fate, produced by the same
causes and intrunentslities. The mar men of both
sections claim that the recent elections are public
approvals of their policy that the great American
people have decided for tOar, fratricidal Tar do
not believe t-and in the name Of truth, patriot
ISM liberty and humanity | appeal to the august
tribunal of the future When the madness and fol-
y of these evil days shall have passed away, poster.
ty will pronounce just judgment against the
prominent actors in this great national tragedy.
Mr.. Speaker, if this war is to be fought out
without any negotiations, then the days of slavery
are numbered. The Constitution of the United
States the only safe guard Of African slavery on
this continent. War has broken down that strong
bulwark Prudent negotiation and speedy peace
may yet postpone the doom of slavery. 1t has ex-
listed so long in our midst that it has become part
of the framework of Southern society it is init
matey interviewer with our domestic affections and
has been of incaculabe value to the inferior race.
II this institution which has been the growth Of
centuries is to be suddenly overthrowp, its conse
auences will be very disastrous to the South. IL
will deprive people Of large share of their hon.
estly earned property, and prevent the produc ton
OF those great staples which have been the sources
of national and individual wealth, and contributed
much to the comforts and necessities of the world.
The slave will be taken from under the kind care,
control and instructions of his master, and placed
in condition for which he is neither mentally nor
morally qualified, end his future history will be
more sad and mournful than that of the Indian, as
in misfortune and poverty he passes away before
the indomitable energy and power of the white
man. The white man and the negro can never
dwell together as equals. 1t is contrary to the IN
changeable social laws of nature The princely sons
of Japhet may fulfil the voice of prophecy and
"dweH in the tents of Shem," but they will never
minsle and blend with Hams servile and heaven.
cursed race. This war is rapidly destroying the
institution of slavery. 1t is now between the up
lied Europe is against 1.-THE North is making war
upon it, but i: is reserved for some of-ear~ siSs
statesmen to complete its ruin, by proposing to put
negroes in our gallant army, and emancipate them
as condition of military service. Can our rulers be
so mad as to believe that free born Southern white
men will stand sideby side with the degraded ne
gro in war for liberty? Has despair made them
lose all their reason?
The most furious lunatic that ever wore strait
Jacket could not devise more dangerous and rapid
scheme from the utter ruin of the South. | would
sooner expect direct miraculous interposition o
Heaven to free US from our impending dangers.
. would sooner expect the sun of summer to stant
still and warm our gallant troops who are now
shivering in the trenches and that mama would
h. 70 Eand atarH