Year: 1864

not a matter susceptible of argument; by
constitutional right she may first secede,
| and then either join our enemies or "set up
for herself" precisely as to her shall seem
good, If the deserving interest, the desert
ing principle and the deserving vote be in-
deed so strong and prevailing; but at least
let her understand the consequences. In
the first place, it she set up for herself aud
pretended to ''neutrslity," and If the Fed
eral Government admitted that preteusion,
then she would be bound to all the duties
of neutrals between the two belligeTents /;
she would be bound to refuse passage TO
the Federal troops through her territory,
| aud to require their evacuation of all the
places which they hold within the State !;
because to permit the Federals to use North
Carolina as a depot of troops and arms, or
base of operations, would DO an act of
war against US; and she would be also
bound to refuse passage to Confederate
troops and stores, because TO grant it would
be an act of war against the Federals. But
neither of the belligerents would submit to
be thus ordered of therefore, North Car
olina would be obliged at once to go to war
with them both to enforce her neutrality
and independence. She would have gained
by her secession the honor Of being for a
time the principal battle ground of the
war.


One is almost ashamed to argue so sim
pie a matter. We only do so in order to
show that this specious pretext of a Con-
federate State "setting up for ITSELF" "ne.
gotiatiug for separate peace" and the
like, simply means, peace with our ene-
mics and war upon us. That "COnserVa-
tive' party invites the citizens of North
Carolina to repudiate the independence
which they solemnly voted themselves, the
Government they created to maintain it,
the alliances they formed to secure it, the
debt they incurred TO pay for it-and to
creep back, like whipped dogs, into the
"Uuion" they left, take on them the yoke
of the government that has ravaged their
fields and cities, and the debt incurred to
pay the cost of extirpating them and their
children. 1t invites the North Carolina
soldiers in Lees army to go across the
lines, to throw themselves into the arms of
their present enemies, to turn round and
fight their present comrades, and to uplitt
and wave on high that flag under which
their own houses have been burned and
their own sisters ravished.


This, we say, is the exact and entire
meaning and purpose of a "peace party"
in any Confederate State; whether boldly
avowed or traitorously whispered in Sc
cret, this is intended to be the effect of it.
It means this or nothing. Aud we are not
going TO believe that our neighbors and
allies of North Carolina are altogether pre-
pared for such a course of procedure
Whatever manhood, whatever good faith,
whatever State pride or individual pride
may exist among them, all will revolt
against such unutterable infamy as this.
Aud 30 we hope to see it proved on the
day of election. Let the "ConservatiVe"
4. Al.
alone; and, indeed, the election would be
very good opportunity for the provost
guards to seize those fellows at the polls.


ALIENS IN REBELLION.


Prom the Richmond Enquirer.


The case of D. Ogden, British sub
ject, whose services are claimed by the
Government upon the ground that he has
become subject to military duty by having
been for a long time dOmiciled in the
South, will be argued before Judge Haly-
burton to day. This case is one of pecu-
liar interest, and involves the result of
uumrous similar cases. On the 18th of
January, 1862, Attorney General Tucker,
in response TO a resolution OF inquiry from
the House of Delegates, reported that the
public law of the country, since 1892, has
settled that while the voluntary service of
an alien in the army will be accepted, mill
tary service will not be compelled and ex-
acted of any but citizens of the State. An
alien may contract to serve, but will not
be compelled to do military duty to the
State. he is of opinion that this practice,
established by State law for seventy years,
must be taken to settle the views he
should take as to the law of nations Ope-
rating upon the subject in this State. He
gives the same answer in regard to per-
sons transiently here for pleasure, health
or business, and with regard to such even
as have declared their intention to become
citizens. AcOntrary policy would, he says,
be Injurious to ourselves and ungracious
to the alien.


ATTACK Oh MOBILE.


There can hardly be doubt, says the
Mobile Tribune, that Gen. Candy is rapidly
preparing an expedition to move on this
city. From what we hear it will number
some fifteen or twenty thousand meu.-
What rection II will take is probably not
SO we'll known; but it is likely that it will
move from the coast, and be supported by
the feet of Farragut, go far as that can give
it support.


1t is not necessary for the citizens to be
alarmed by this announcement but it is
necessary that they should be making ready
with all promptitude to meet the threaten
ed danger-and this can only be done by
implicitly obeyiug the instructions and ad-
vice Of the General in command.


sTAUSToS.


The Staunton YiadieGtor and the Lex
ington Gazette, we are pleased to state, are
again under way, as cheerful as though
nothing bad occurred to jOstle them from
their track. The Stsuntou Spectator, too,
announces its purpose soon to take the
field again. The energy displayed by the
newspaper press Of the Valley is an evil
dence of the uncomfortable spirit of peo.
pie resolved TO be free.


TIE RKcEET MARYLAND RAID-DIsGUsr OF A


REBEL EDITOR AT The EEWs.
Prom the Richmond Examiner.


1t must not be forgotten that 10 all the