Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1851-01-29
"ExECUTlvE DICTATION."

EXECUTIVE DICTATION."
We have never witnessed weaker a more RI
diculous attempt at faut-fndng than that exhibited
in late number OF the Raleigh Register, under the
above head. That paper actually arraigns Gov. Reid
at the bar Of public opinion, because he thought pro-
per to announce his principles and sentiments in his
Inaugural Address; and following this up, it speaks
of his late Message in relation to the Turnpike Road
and the purchasers of Cherokee lands the greatest
outrage in the history of the State at the same
time offering no arguments by way of reply to his
Inaugural, and expressly admitting. to the latter
matter, that the measures recommended by the Gov
ernor are "right, within themselves" This SIM
pie statement of the facts would, of itself, be su-
cient to expose that paper to popular contempt while
it would be sufficient vindication Of Gov. Reid !;
but we propose to say a word or two more, by way
Of completely knocking the props" from beneath
that very liberal and unprejudiced organ of Messrs
Woodfn, GiImer, and Bynum.
Nothing is more common 10 the States history
than recommendations, from time to time,'' by the
Governors to the Legislature. Every Whig Cover
nor has pursued this course, as the documents will
show. Governors Morehead. Graham and Manly
sent in Messages repeatedly to the Assembly; and
we find that, in 1916, Gov. Graham made recommen-
dations to that body in connection this very Turnpike
and these Cherokee lands. We refer to his Message
OF Sd December, 1876, transmitting the Report Of
Dr.. Mitchell, the Engineer appointed to make sur
vey for the Western Turnpike. In that Message
Gov. Graham said:
81 have not had leisure to give the Report an at
entive perusa but hope the Legislature will nl the
work to which it relates worthy to be immediately
undertaken. 1t does seem to me most appropriate
disposition of the funds raised from the sale Of Cher
okee lands, to devote them TO the construction of a
good highway from that distant part of the State
the Capital, and one of our chief market towns"
But the Register objects to the "principle" Of
sending in Messages to the peoples Representatives
while they are deliberang; and in SO doing it con-
demns its own party friends who have held the office
Of Governor, and especially Gov. Graham. In order
to strike at the peoples fvorite-Gov. Reid-,hat
paper deals its blows such men as Morehead and
Graham, and characterizes the very course which they
deemed it their duty to pursue an Outrage" in
The States history! That will do. After this, We
think that paper might well drop this subject, and
its work Of putting Mr.. Wood6n for his white
basis Speeches.
But Gov. Rsid's offence is, that the measures he
recommended in relation to the Cherokee bonds and
lands, about to pass into laws; and though the
Register admits these measures to be I" right, within
themselves" still that paper would rather SEQ them
defeated than have these purchasers of Cherokee
lands relieved. as the result Of recommendation Of
Democratic Governor. That is the secret. The Reg
lister is willing enough to do something for these peo
pie, provided its party hope to gain popularity by
it; but it would deny them relief indefinitely. if pro-
posed to be extended by Democratic Legislature or
a Democratic Governor. This is in perfect keeping
with the character Of that journal. 1t pursued the
course, last summer in relation to Internal I'M
provements. 1t was willing then it is now. that
N,higs should carry forward schemes which were
thought essential to the States improvement; but so
far Democrats concerned, it first abused them
for being opposed to these schemes, and then, when
many Of them forward to advocate them, it de-.
nounced them in unsparing terms for failing to follow
its advice in every particular, and for not doing things
in precise accordance with the wishes and dictaon
of its particular Clique.
We now say to the Register, once for all, tha,
Gov. Reid is not to be affected in the slightest degree
by its misrepresentation, its censures its abuse.
He is the peoples servant-he is responsible 10 them,
and not to the Register, to the little knot Of party
leaders who stimulating the Editor to his present
course. These leaders will find fault with Gov Reid,
matter what he may do; they determined to find
fault with him. But does not the Register remember
that Gov. Reid gave the lie, during the late campaign,
to some of its statements about him! And does not
the Editor of that paper perceive that, under the cir
cumstances, whatever he may say in the way of
sure against the Governor, will be set down by an
enlightened public the result of hatred and mali
cious feeling!
We expect next to hear it urged, in the Register,
as grave offence the par: Of the Governor that
he wears boots, or that he walks up down Fay.
sireyills Street the wrong side.