The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1868-01-11
butzwI,at does be tf1iulx, for example, of the
9TH .section of the Bill of Rights of that
statea q E7


4 lishslfis sentiments on all subjects, being re
sponsible for the abuse of that liberty"
Of course the responsibility referred to
must he in law. But, during the rebellion
citizens of this State who spoke, wrote and
published their sentiments freely on certain
subjects, were mobbed, exiled, conscripted
and immured in dungeons for so doing Ii
seems to US the Alabama Constitution Is an
| improvement in this respect on the practice
that obtained here during the rebellion
This practice is a bad one, and will be re-
formed altogether. Under the just and mild
sway of the Republican party no person Will
be mobbed, exiled or murdered for his opin-
ions on political questions, but will be al
lowed to express them freely, being RESPONSE
BILE only to tue lao for the abuse of that lib
erty.
Here is another section of the Bill OF
Rights-the SD (Which strikes us as good.
! 1t is
"That emigration from this State shall
not be prohibited; and that no citizen shall
be exiled."
During the rebellion many of our best cit
liens were exiled on account of their politi-
cal opinions and strenuous effort was
made in the State Convention of 1861 to
compel every citizen to renounce his allegi-
ance to the government of the United States,
and to swear allegiance to the Confederate
States, and upon his refusal or neglect so to
do, to exile him from the State, having first
sold his property to pay his expenses out of it.
This was repatriation and confscation in the
same breath. But that day is over in North
Carolina, never to return.
There is another section in the Bill OF
Rights-the 29th-which strikes US as good.
1t is ....
"That no person who conscientiously scru-
pies to bear arms shall he compelled to do
so, but may pay an equivalent for personal
service" ......
During the rebellion some of the Friends
or Quakers, of this State, as well as Others,
were forced into service against their con-
Sciences and compelled to bear arms. No
equivalent for service was accepted. When
they refused to go they were run down with
hauNiSohSNs SSh0 w VIZ
front, and compelled to fight against their
will. Several Quakers who were placed in
camp at Kinston, in this State, having
refused to take arms in their hands and
drill, were confined in the guard-house
and starved for days in the most cruel
to compel them to do violence to
their consciences. But this day of injustice
and violence is also over in this State, never
to return.
We regard the new Constitution for the
State of Alabama as an excellent instrument.
We trust our own Convention may be as
harmonious as that of Alabama, and may
succeed as well as that body has done in lay
ing anew the foundations of free, popular
government
We expect soon from Mr.. Tullock, the
Secretary of the Congressional Committee,
I5O copies in pamphlet form of the new Con-
titution of Alabama. When these pamphlets
ire received we will take pleasure in furnish
ng our neighbor of the AdUertiser with an
official, authentic copy of the instrument.
The Sentinel, like poor Martha, is SO
: troubled about many things" that it
Knows not what first to attend to. In one
breath it assais Gen. Miles, because he tells
he truth and is true to his government; in
he next, it diates doletully on the organi-
,ation by order of Gen. Candy of a loyal
ocal police to make its friends keep the
peace and cease robbing and numbering;
n the next, it despairs of Gen. Grant, be-
,ause it finds that he too loves his country
IS Gen. Miles does, and approves the recon-
truction acts in the next, it sings bark
rom the tombs" over the prospective
.ction of our loyal Constitutional State
in the next. it advises its friends,
whom its wicked war policy has ruined, to
axe the bankrupt law, and then advises
hem not to take it, because few persons
nay receive fees from them in SO doing
Poor Sentinel! AS Mr.. Van Buren, once
aid on another subject, its "sufferings is
ntolerable."
The Sentinel intimates that there are per-
obs "peculiarly interested in forcing every
nan into bankruptcy, who are too selfish
o consider the interests of Others" and adj
Uses those who contemplate bankruptcy not
o take the advice of such persons. This
loes not apply to any persons or officers
With whom we are acquainted. We make
point to give no advice at all on the
ubject, unless particularly asked by friend;
nd then we advise no one to go into bank
uptcy who can possibly meet his obliga-
ions. We regard the law as benefccnt
me in many respects, but we should regret
o see 1T perverted or abused. In many cases
t is the only refuge left to the unfortunate
rom the pressure of debts they can not pay.
n such cases something is due to wife and
children, and to others who are dependent
IN the debtor. The amount allowed to the
bankrupt may enable him to keep home
or a distressed family, and afford small
beginning in the renewed efforts he may
make for competency. The release thus
,iven him from his debts is merely legal,
lot moral. He is as much bound in honor
D., l,oF.>ro RI ,>oy b;o ipof 1ohtc &c h., ba