Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-01-18


government in tho present struggle. That paper
is, therefore, looking to such . probability, for 1t
would hardly discuss such question if it did not
think that the success of the old government was
within the range Of probability. For one, we can
not answer the question-we do not know what
they will do with US if we are conquered. If we
bold out until we are successful, or until we are
conquered, as we expect to resp the benefits OF tho
one we must be prepared for the consequences OF
the other. The conqueror would have the right to
impose his own terms. But is it Sound reason to |
wait before We make terms, until the heel Of the |
eouqueror is on our nscksf If there is strong |
probability that in the end, we will be overrun,
and subjugated, and held down by our enemy at |
his mercy, would it not be wise to avoid that un-
speakable evil by compromising our difficulties at
once, on the best terms that can be obtained For
our part-and we believe We utter the sentiments
of large majority Of our people-as anxious as
We have been for Confederate success, we would
prefer restoration of the old government to the
subjugation of the South, if such an alternative
should be presented. Such was our view in August
1863, and such is our view now. We would rather
live Nth than live under the Yankees. If fore
ed to it, We would cut off an arm or q leg to
save the body. But slavery is said to be in
the way. Depend upon it. no matter how this
contest may tsrminate, African slavery has seen
its best days on this continent As = perma-
nent institution it is in al probability, gone.-
That is our belief and do not hesitate to express
it We are unwilling to see another white man
!. slaughtered, or another white child beggared on
account Of slavery. If the greater portion of the
white race is to. be sacrificed on account of the
tain our own freedom as against our own rulers,
while the contest is going on for the perpetuation
Of slavery then let the contest cease, and let the
two sections make peace
We do not believe, even if we should be subiu.
gated that the federal government will deprive our
people Of their houses and lsnds. Such thing
has not been done by any nation conquering anoth
| CT, in modern history. There may be con8scations
here and there, and punishments may be inflicted
on certain characters,-these things are probable,
not certain but the property of the great body of
our people in houses, and lands, and gold, and sill
YER, and cattle, and horses and the like, would be
respected, even if subjugation should be our lot
That is oyr opinion, and We give it for what it is
worth.
Wedid all We could, in our humble way, to pre-
vent the dissolution Of the American Union and
We took part in the formation of new government
against our will, and under the force of circum-
stances we could not control The border States
not free agents in the beginning of this revo-
. luton But We have been true to our section, and
. true to this new government We went with our
State in 1861, shall go with our State in the
! future. Whatever she says We will do. It is not
for to say what she should do, now or hereafter
! Her destiny is in the hands ofthose whom she has
clothed with official power If new issues should
be raised, IS citizen we expect to express our
opinion upon them and to cast vote at the polls
bpt, as not clothed with any official power,
+: and we have heretofore been mobbed and hunted
like wild beaston account ofour opinions, We must
be excused 10y those of our friends who have writ
ten US on the subject) from making our paper q
medium for the propagation of extreme views
There is time for ell things. Great events move
slowly. We cannot tell what few months may
bring forth. Let all of do all We can for peace
and all can for the protection of civil liberty, and
be ready meanwhile to avail ourselves of any suit.
able opportunity which may present itself to i'm.
prove the condition Of our suffering country.
TIE FEELING IN SOUTH. CARoL1NA-A late Char.
lesion Mercury contains the following:
"In locking to the proceedings of Congress and
the opinions and schemes broached by many in the
press, and in private we are able to perceive lttl.
cause for congratulation, little source of comfort
While Congress ia paltering and piddling over pet
ty measures, the press and many of the people ars
running wild on mad schemes of destruction. Both
faE short Of the occasion, both fail to look to the
causes Of our troubles, both COVER back from put
ting the knife to the seat of the disease The Exec
utive organs at Richmond boldly talk treason to our
institutions in the of terror and dismay at tn.
condition into which the government has brough
the causetsk about surrendering our liberties snt
country over to foreign powers, and of abolish
ing the institution which lies at the base of on,
whole government and our whole system of civil
zation. Whether terror, folly or lunacy most pre
dominates in their schemes it would be difficult tt
say Like owls, who cannot bring their eyes t,
face the sum- these men cannot bring themselves Il
I face the facts. They will not look to the caus'
? which has produced the effect. They c.nnot lif
their eyes to the Executive. The luminous light o
his countenance blinds their apprehension to all pa
: tent facts. And then they turn aside in despera
ton to grope in the dark amidst mad projects fol
deiverancs. While we have an abundance of fight
: ing material in thy country, the army rolls are no
half filed The Executive himself announced th
fact to all the world, and Sherman too. Why il
this factl Because ineficiency is allowed to per
wade every branch of thesAervce; because favorit
ism dictates who shall command our armies be
cause tools are sought and not competency becaus
hatreds rule, and the best and bravest proscrb
| cd; because laxity prevails everywhere; becaus
discipline is not required and where it is attempt
cd to be enforced, the effort is checked by E3ecu
tive weakness and egotism aud love of popularity
whilst the service is disgraced and the cause brough
to the brink of ruin by officers who cannot be sho,
f and cannot be cashiered."
{ The Same paper, referring to the fact that ther
{ are ore hundred thousand absentses from the Cor
fsderate army, adds the following In THIS depart
mept We are creditably informed there is sngl