The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-09-16
SPEECH OF
GEN. CURTIS q. BR0GDEN

GEN. CURTIS q. BROGDEN
SENATOR FROM WAYNE AND GREENE,
Delivered in the Senate of North Carolina
august 18th, 1868.
The Senate having under consideration the
Bill to Organize Militia of North Carolina
GENERAL BROGDEN said:
MIR. PRESIDENT Il am in favor of peace,
law and order. earnestly desire to follow
.speace with all men," | am in favor OF
permanent and uninterrupted peace. and
would gladly offer my humble and feeble
aid and support of all necessary and proper
means and measures for its promotion and
perpetuation.
From the days of Moses, the great He
brew law -givcr., when his laws were first pub
lisfed to the people, down to the present
time, oil civilized governments have had the
power to punish violations of their laws. A
government without sufficient power to conf
pei submission TO authority would be wholly
unable to protect life. liberty and property.
The Constitution declares as follows:
Sec. 1. ",All able bodied male citizens of
the State of North Carolina, between the
ages of twenty one and forty years, who
are citizens of the United States, shall be
liable to duty in the Militia; Provided, That
all persons aversc to bearing arms, from re-
igious scruples, shall be exempt therefrom.
Sec 2. The General Assembly shall pro-
vide ,or the organizing, arming, equip
ping and discipline of the Militia, and for
paving the same when called into active ser
vice"
This is positive and unequivocal com
mand of the Constitution, which should
not be dis regarded or neglected. evaded or
avoided. 1t is the imperative duty of the
General Assembly to provide for the or
ganizing arming, equiping, and discipline
of the Militia" with power to make such
exemptions as may bedeemed necessary, and
to enact laws that may be expedient for the
government of the Militia"
The bill now under consideration to or
ganize militia, to preserve the peace and
to enfore the laws, is too plain to be misunder-
stood. There is no doubt or uncertainty about
it. 1t is intended only for peace. 1t is not to
disturb or modest quiet and peaceable citi-
zcns, or to interfere in any manner whatever
with any ct their personal or political rights
and privileges Here is what it declares :
"SEcTIoN 1. That the Militia of North
Carolina shall consist of those liable to mil
itary duty, and that every person so liable
shall be required to serve in the same, unless
he shall pay to the County Treasurer year.
" contribution of two dollars, or be exemp-
ted under the certificate of some practicing
physician, on account of bodily infrmity."
Is there any tyranny or oppression in
this section2 Isthere any partiality or in
justice in it9 Is there any hardship or
wrong imposed upon any person liable to
military duty under this bill2 Section
saws "The white and colored militia shall
be enrolled in separate and distinct compa-
mics, and shall never be compelled to serve
in the same companies" ..
Here is the most conclusive refutation of
the reckless and unfounded allegations and
charges of decomposition, that the Republi
can party will require and compel white and
colored men to serve side by side in the same
company The law is so fail and reasonable
that any man liable to military duty, may
be exempted from service in the militia if
he chooses to pay two dollars annually to
the County Treasurer. This mild and gen.
erous provision is intended to satisfy all clas-
ses within its reach, as 1t is n matter of free
choice for those who may be affected by it,
so that no person may have any just cause of
complaint. What better than this can be
done by thee General Assembly tn give general
satisfaction ito all parties concerned2 Who
can mature a more acceptable plan under all
the surrounding circumstances
1t is reasonable to suppose that no scheme
60 tt,a ~
with the positive requirements of the Con-
stitution,. could be perfected by the Repub-
lican party without being censured and
misrepresented by some prejudiced and ma
lignant persons merely for party purposes.
1t is a very easy matter for bitter, illiberal.
captious and factious partisans to invent
some objection to almost any measure of
public policy, although they may not possess
the ability, sag acity or power to accomplish
or perform anything necessary to promote
the public. good.
They are incompetent to rule, and are i'm
prudent and unsafe advisers. They seemnot
to possess sufficient judgment and scope Of
mind TO properly comprehend the true stu
alton of public affairs, and are so biased and
misled by bitter prejutices that they take a
narrow and incorrect view of great public
questions, which may be of vital Importance
to the country. tt- flI
Section Essays:
"The Governor is hereby authorized, of
the request of any five Justices of county,
to direct the, Colonel commanding therein to
detail, organize and equip, from the men
liable to military duty in his command, a
sufficient force to preserve the peace and to
g. n, ~ IL, Il, 4 L