The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-07-08

TON, uttered IN 1850, that " Tree penpic
ought not only to be armed, but disciplin-
ed" and that well organized militia sis
certainly an object of primary Importance,
whether viewed in references to the national
security to the satisfaction Of the COM
munity. or to the preservation of order" IS
not less weighty or important now than it
was then. The militia should he organized
at once. 1t is the duty of the Executive to
see that the laws are faithfully executed and
to preserve peace among the people. This
duty will be performed promptly, fearlessly
and firmly. Every citizen must submit to
lawful authority. or refusing to do so, must
expect the penalties of the violated law
In the language ofour great General, second
only to HIM who was :" first in war, first in
peace, and first in the hearts of his country.
men, "-"LET US HAVE PEACH" The
sword, which would not have been drawn
but for the criminal folly of the recently in
surgent States. should never again he welded
by Americans against Americans. Every
interest that is dear to US, and every hope
that we may indulge for the future, is in
dissolubly bound up with peace and tran
guilty among ourselves. But there can he
no peace without law, and there can he no
efficacy in law without obedience The law
is over all. The poor and the humble
should be protected to as full an extent as
others. They need more than Others this
protection. Every one must be free to use
what is his own, not trespassing on the
rights of others; to follow his particular
calling or employment; to labor, and to
enjoy the fruits his labor; to speak freely
his sentiments and to vote as he pleases, AMI
not to be injured or questioned by any for
doing any of these things. The people of
North Carolina are proverl'ial for their law
abiding disposition. 1t is not apprehended
that disturbances will arise, or that COM
binations will be formed to resist the laws;
yet is known that many hold the opinion
that the reconstruction laws OF the United
States are unconstitutional, and therefore
null and void; and it may be that this may
lead, if not to open resistance, to forcible
denial in some localities of the rights guar
anteed by the Constitution of the State,
formed and adopted IN pursuance OF said
laws. 1t is also known that disposition
exists, among no inconsiderable portion of
our population, to Cypress the poor whites
and the colored race, on account OF their
political opinions. The magistrates and
the Courts will be sustained by the whole
power OF the State, in such action as may be
deemed necessary to protect those who may
be thus wronged or oppressed; and the
magistrates and the Courts will be sustained
by the whole power of the State in giving
effect to the Constitution itself, as having
been fairly. justly and properly adopted,
and as binding in all respects on every
citizen until changed or modified IN the
mode prescribed in the instrument ITSELF
Differences in political sentiment are to be
expected, and are not calculated in them
selves to endanger the State; but purpose
to subvert the government, on the assump-
ton that it is not properly derived, has not
been constitutionally adopted, and is illegit-
innate and not binding, should be narrowly
watched and promptly checked, on the first
manifestation of any overt act on the part
of those cherishing such purpose. The
Constitution of this State is, under the Con-
stltution of the United States, the supreme
organic law. The government which it
establishes, and the laws passed in pursuance
of it, will be maintained and enforced. To
render resistance, therefore, impracticable,
if not impossible, and to maintain the peace
by executing the laws in u spirit of justice
to all, it is deemed essential that a portion
of the militia should be we'll disciplined and
armed, and should be thus ready at any
moment, under the orders of the COM
mander-in-chief, for active duty.
1t is not proposed, nor is it required by
the Constitution, that the two races should
be mustered and drilled in the same compa-
MES and regiments Following the exam
pie of the government of the United States,
they may be divided into separate 1 e,
t----@ -~5s..S...-,,- >-~ ~ t1 ss.so I'd the COL
ored race that they should have, whenever
they desire it, officers of their own color for
their own companies and regiments. In
this, as in all other things concerning ON
white and colored fellow-citizens, absolute
civil and political equality should be main.
tanned. The public burdens should fall
equally on both, and there should be no dis
tinction between them in their political and
civil rights.
The Constitution provides that to main
tain the honor and good faith of the State
untarnished, the public debt, regularly con.
tracted before and since the rebellion, shall
be regarded as inviOlable, and never be
questioned" 1t would be difficult to over.
state the value of character to individuals OF
to States. A State which deliberately says
this is my seal-the debt is just, but will
not pay it," proclaims that there is no virtue
in moral obligation, and sinks at once to the
level of savage races whom no treaty or OBJ.
legation can bind. States flourish and pros.
per, and are respected, in proportion as they
adhere to the eternal principles of Justice
North Carolina, when fully herself, uninfu
enced by the passions of the rebellion
would have felt any stain upon her credit
as wound, and would have submitted to
any sacrifice to avert even the suspicion that
her honor could be sullied by any act of hcI
own. North Carolina is again State, in
the full sense in which she was before she
rebelled, and her obligations and duties are
as binding as they formerly were. These
obligations and duties cannot be evaded OF
avoided. The payment of the interest on
her debt, as provided for in the Constitution
would at once place her credit ON a secure
footing. A debt ceases to affect credit in
juriously when the interest is promptly paid
and when it is seen that an accumulation OF
valuable property and general prosperity is
the result of tine Indebtedness. The credi,
Of England is equal to that of any country
yet the English aebt is the result Of the &C
cumulations of ages, and is of enormous
magnitude The secret of the credit oil
England is the unvarying punctuality with
which her interest is paid, and the fact that
she is constantly adding to her wealth and
power by the use of what she has borrowed
do not doubt that the General Assembly
responding to the general wish of our PEG
Pile, will make prompt and ample provision
for meeting the interest on the State debt.
By meeting promptly the interest on he
debt the State will be enabled to borrow
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