Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1865-02-17
The " North.CaroIina Army"

The Governors organ, the OonserUGtiUe, speaks
of the North Carolina Army" Where is that
armyH We thought those of our toops that consti
tute the "army" were in Confederate service
We concur with the Progress, that
"If North Carolina was an independent power,
and was at war, with a hundred or two thousand
men IN the field, she would want no more "Wai
Department" than she has got The whole thing
is q nuisance, humbug, aud the Legislature should
have broken it up; and but for the influence of the
Executive, who desires to keep up all this parade
for his grRti6cation we doubt not but it would
have been done. The cotton cards, scythe blades
and blue stone distributed will hardly justify the
debt of ten millions which has beea created, and
which those who have mSmanaged our State affairs
will be responsible for transmitting to children.
There is probably small brigade of men connect
ed with this North Carolina War Department"
more men in the bomb proofs than the State has in
the field, State troops, and the annual expenses
amount to several millions. And what does 1t all
amount to i-where is the good accomplished? All
the extravaganza and corruption is not to be found
at Richmond, our people will find to their cost
when the debts now being created, have to be paid.
With the whole management Of the in the
hands of the Confederate authorities, North Caro-
lima has no moro use for q War Department" than
she had in peace times, and had We been in the
Legislature we should have insisted on abOliShing
the whole concern and such position We are sure
would have met the appreciation of the people of
the State"
The expenses of this war department are con-
stantly increasing Not long since a number of its
shade officers were Proaoted not for services in
the field, but il order to increase their pay and
the las Legislature allowed the Adjutant General
the pay of Major General. As the result of the
existence and management of this "army," the
Confederate government is now in debt to the State
some two or three millions of dollars for expend-
lures incurred months ago, and which debt is not
likely soon to be paid Meantime the currency de-
preciates and the State is the loser by the depre
ciatiou, This "8ar department" ought to be re.
duced to its former dimensions, and the ardent and
able bodied men who, as a special favor from the
Governor, enjoy bomb proofs under it, should be
sent to the front An Adjutant General with one
Aid and two or three Clerks, would be auply sufi
cient for the control and management Of the mill
tia and home guErd- We surprised that the
Legislature did not aE4iy the knife to this excres-
cence on the body polite. 1t will not be too late
to do so at the next session. 1t is never too late
thens of the people. The immense State debt con-
tracted during this war; and now increasing by the
million, must be paid in full in specie or its equiv
alent or scaled or repudiated If the extravaganza
which has marked the administration of our affairs
for the last year or so should be continued repuda-
ton is inevitable. 1--WE speak as unto wise men
let them give ear"