Year: 1862




Mr. HoLDEN:-I am plain matter of fact sort of
man, farmer, and while this class of our citizens,
upon whose shoulders rest the burdens and respon-
sibility of tie country, make no pretensions to
great learning 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 the powers that be.
1t is an awful fact Mr.. Editor, that we are engag-
ed in desperate war with strong power, wagng
against US war OF exterminaton. A war charac-
terzed by brutalties 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 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, when the Conscript Act (the constitution
ality of which has been questioned by some of the
learned ones) was passed, | am free to admit that
there did exist necessity for retaining 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





use force to make men do that which they were
willing and already offering to do? Where is the
necessity now for an extension of the Conscript
Act? l am aware that it is urged as a necessity
that Mr.. Lincoln's call for six hundred thousand
men must be met Admitted. But could this not
be done as effectively, and in more satisfactory
way than by an extension of the Conscript Act /?
We think it could have been done just as eectually,
and with far more satisfaction, through the several
State authorities, and that without interfering in
any way with one of the great institutions for
which we are contending, States rights.


The great mass of people who are not contami,
mated by spolls party predictions, are right.
| They are and ever have been awake to the emer-
! genceS of the tlmeS-eyer ready and willing and
anxious to do their whole duty. Where then, has
been our ineffciency? 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 said they
have fought well, and arc 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 o
| fifteen or twenty thousand men, raised by State
! authority, be a means of defence? When the mer
between the ages of Is and 45 all in the servic
of the Confederate Government what means has
State for its defence against its local foreign foes


May not these acts of presumption upon the par
of Congress be setting precedent that may form
link in a chain whese fetters may be too grevou'
to be borne? Think of this, fellow-citizens. 1 an
| in favor of all persons, under the circumstances
submitting to the Conscript Act, Notwithstanding
the difference of opinion in regard to its constitu
tionality or the necessity for its extension.


COUSIN.


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