Year: 1862

MR. HoLDEN:-1 am plain matter of fact sort of
man, farmer, and while this class of our citizens,
upon whose shoulders rest the burdens and respon-
slblllty OF the country, make no pretensions to
great learning or craftsmanship, we do claim to be
endowed with ordinary intelligence, and some good
hard sense, though seemingly not regarded as hav-
ing any part or lot in matters connected with the
Government, by its authorities or the powers that be-


1t is an awful fact Mr.. Editor, that we are engag-
ed in desperate war withra strong power, waging
against us war OF determination. war charac-
terlzed by brutaties and conduct upon the part of
our enemy, such as were never before allowed or
recognized in civilized warfare. Hence the great
necessity for prompt vigorous, active and a unit
ed resistance to such foe. This is exactly what
we the yeomanry of the country are in favor of,
and what we have ever favored


We have been taught from our infancy that we
have some rights as citizens. Our authorities for
merly acted as if they thought we had some State
rights. How is it now? We are led to these re-
Elections from some acts of our Congress. Last
Spring, whom the Conscript Act Che constitution
ality of which has been questioned by some of the
learned ones) was passed, I am free to admit that
there did exist necessity for retaining our twelve
months volunteers in the service. That was con-,
scription enough. Gov. Clark refused to receive
several companies raised in this State and think
some were disbanded that had been raised and prob
ably received presume other States were equally
as active. Why then refuse profered service and
use force to make men do that which they were
willing and, already offering to do? Where is the
necessity now for extension of the Conscript
Acta am aware that it is urged as a necessity
that MIR. Lncoln's call for six hundred thousand
men must be met Admitted. But could this not
be done as effectively and in a more satisfactory
way, than by an extension of the Conscript Act ?
We think it could have been done just as efectually
and with far more satisfaction through the several
| o,,fho that 49,.
any way with one Of the great institutions for
which we are contending, States righta


The great mass of people who are not contami-
mated by spolls or party predictions, are right
They are and ever have been awake to the emer-
| gencies of the tlmes-ever ready and willing and
anxious to do their whole duty. Where, then, has
been our ineficiency? With the authorities
certainly have not been as fully engaged properly
as they might have been.


North. Carolina has done and is doing its whole
duty in this struggle. 1t has furnished men, armed
them, and sent them into the field ready for SER
vice; and to their honor and praise be it sad they
have fought well, and are an honor to themselves
and their State Portions of our beloved State are
now invaded, and in the hands of the enemy. Gov.
Vance would defend us against the ruthless depre.
!dations of our desolatlng invaders, had he the
means, of which he is being shorn by the exten.
sion of the Conscript Act Would not an army oil
fifteen or twenty thousand men, raised by State
authority, be means of defence? When the meu
between the ages of 18 and As all in the service
of the Confederate Government, what means has a
State for its defence against its local or foreign foes


May not these acts of presumption upon the part
of Congress be setting precedent that may form
link in chain. whese fetters may be too grieyous
to be borne? Think of this, feow-citizens I am
in favor of all persons, under the circumstances
submitting to the Conscript Act, notwithstanding
the difference of opinion in regard to its consttu
tionality or the necessity for its extension.


COUSIN.


Lenoir county, N. c., Sept. 8, 1862.