The North-Carolina standard., 1847-07-28

IWltnOut q QfdIt. t1er az 11Sb fuIc
led even behind federal Massachusetts, but to this
day has yer been organized or united nthe field
Il But in pursuing the tortuous course Of fpe
i Governor we must not lose sight Of the original
tobiect of purs-the course of the Whigs IN reia-
ftion to the appointment of the officers to the Reg.
5 iment ..-.-4=
> The Legislature met. The Governor faithful to
his party instincts in relation to the war, in his mes:
sage tells YOU, Mr.. Speaker, that "the Constitu-
tional Department of the government neverauthor-
lied an appeal to force" to which you most iogi-
: caIy responded by your famous preamble. Oh,
yes-a This republic is in war by the action OF
the Executive James K. Polk, &C., &c. How
does this accord with the sentiments OF your party
only in June previous7 Did Messrs Wad-
dell and Kerr talk this way then; or was the
Governor and your party in the Legislature ready
to plunge into Mr. osborne's ii dark gulf Of trea-
son ?"
i will do the Governor the justice to say that
no manifestation was made by him at the pc
riod alluded to, of any sympathy or union WIN
the pulsations of patriotism that swelled the pup
lie heart Those who know him best, believe
that he never allows his heart to take any advan-
tage of his head Cold and calculating, no one
has done less real service in time OF need Tor his
country, and no one has ever received more Law
ishly her honors and rewards. The impartial
Historian will in vain look in future atimes for
any great measure of public good that his admins
traion has devised, and his euogst can say to his
praise, that he never lost or deceived a friend
omiuing prudently the reason, that he never had
one to lose
In his annual message the Governor informs
the Legislature relative to the appointment OF
Field Officers for this Regiment, F" in the ab-
sence of Gny laa0 Of The State, the duty seemed to
devoIve " on him to make the appointment OF held
officers. This quite cool and modest Un-
der Dcspotic or KngIy Government this might
do but under Republic we are taught to believe
in the truth of our Declaration of Independence
that power to govern derives just authority from
the will of the governed. Your party, as we'll as
the democratic party, thought so too. and in this
| Legislature they passed law. 8" to Regulate the
appointment of Field Officers" taking this power
out OF the Governors hands and giving 1t 10 the
men who are to serve by vote Of 80 to "a. (See
House Journal page 457 MIR. Paine, 1now
ColoneT MIR. Rayner, and other wings voting no.
From portion of the Regiment rendrzvousing
at Wilmington, and another at Charlotte, it was
deemed impraclicable to apply this law 10 the
p. esent Regiment, it was re-consdered But
fixed statute provides that I" the field officers
Of each Regiment shall be chosen by the Pricates !
as toeU as officers, of companies whenever q Regl-
ment of volunteers from this Stale shall be called
into the service of the United Statess" (See acts
of I947, Chapter XXXVII) Thus you have
yourself, Mr. Speaker, given rap over the state
appointments previous to the session OF the Legis-
fature assumption of power, and null and
void. But to the record. After applying all
your caucus machinery and party screws, you de-
termine to give the appointment OF the officers, not
TO the soldiers and officers, who had TO serve but
to your partizIn Governor. You could not trust
the Legislature--oh, no-some such experienced
soldier and accomplished officer as Gen. Louis D.
Wilson. actually in the field with his men, might
be elected. You could not trust the soldier who
had to do the fighting, and Who to fight we'll must
have confidence in the bravery and sS!il oi tneir
officers When MIR. Mebane's amendment glv;:ag
the appointment to the Governor which passed by
a vote of 60 to 50-nearly every one of your
party voting for it, and every democrat against it,
MIR. Kelly seeing that the edict had gone forth,
moved TO restrict the Governor to those who are
'noV UOIunteers." By party vote 1t was rejected
(See House Journal, page 532)
A similar and last effort was made as this bill
passed the Senate by DR.. Cameron and it was re-
iected by strict party vote. Yeas 22, nays 25.
(See Senate Journal, page 1927
Think you, sir, that the people of North Caro-
lima will be blind to these outrages upon right
propriety, and justice2
The Drama is not yet closed. The Governor,
looking over the hosts of applications from men
we'll qualified by experience, talents and pub
lie service, appoints-who2 R. T. Paine, of
Chowan, Colonel ; and J. A. Fagg, of Buncombe,
1t Colonel. Heaven save the mark u Men
not only unknown as possessing military skill and
requirements, but who had on record in this very
Legislature, declared that the aoas brought on
by our oaon country; and therefore that we were
in the wrong and Mexico in the right. Can hu-
man fatuity go further2 Did the wild Knight
of La Mancha when he selected his favourite
Sancho Para as Governor, commit so great an
outrage upon propriety and justice2 (
Even iE private quarrels men do not fight unless s
hey believe themselves right. 1t was said to be
Crockett's motto, I" Be sure you are right, then
go ahead" But how can man fight or go ahead 1
who honestly believes he is wrong2 Was il the |
hese important appointments, and thus throw a
themselves in false position Had they nothing d
o do at home, and nothing of character to lose C
abroad that they thus thrust themselves in posi- t.
ions that must expose them2 These reflections d
will cause heavy responsibility to rest on the 1
Legislature that gave this power to the Governor,
till more on the Governor who made such ap- v
and still greater on the party that
supported them. . .
A recent letter from the gallant Capt Henry,
with this egiment shows the state of its q
organization and the capacity of its commanding
officer. 1t was published in the Greensborough T
Patriot about month ago. l hope, and pray that ;
victory may crown its banner wherever and when )
ever displayed but this will be due to the valour
IF the men, and not to the officer who commands .
,r the means by which he attained his command :
But these ourages will all be vindicated at the
polls to an indignant people +.
There is weapon yet, q
And better than the baVonet,