Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1851-10-08

titoned for the sole right Of keeping lottery in his
Majesty's plantations of America as reward Tor his
loyalty" We leave it to the impartial reader to de-
eide whether such man would not be more likely to
have been engaged by the Maids of Honor in this
work. than the celebrated William Penn. --
Our limits will not allow US to notice Mr.. Dxon's
other refuta,ions indeed we have only slightly touch
ed these two. His book displays great historical
accuracy and research. Mr.. Macaulay on many
points, quotes authorities. Mr.. Dixon, the
trary, seems we'll armed with them. and pronounces
" the Wing History of the most useful additions
to our store of historical reading since the appearance
of the Scotch novels. Yet in one instance cannot
but think he has overshot his mark. MacauIay tells
US that during PENIS court favor This own sect looked
coldly on him, and requited his services with ob
quy." This Mr.. Dixon Indignantly denies in his ex-
ira chapter, yet he constantly tells in the body of
his work that during his connection with King James,
an intimacy which seems to have been personal
rather than political, Penn accused by many of
being jesuit in disguise; in his speech before the
committee of the House Of Commons, he himself
says hath this been the repor, of the rabble
ly. Even his friend Dr.. .Tillitson, of the first
Dvines of the day. had his doubts the subject,
and did not feel sufficiently assured to deny the accu-
sation on his own knowedge; while Mr.. Dixon
himself, though indignant at the charge that Penn
did nor in 1854. while residing at Kensingon, stand
we'll with his brethren. tells US that in 1904 many
of his own sect for time looked coIdy on his suf-
ferings." "They had no complaint to make against
his morals or his life-they only pretended to con-
denim the too active part he had taken in the afrs
of the world" Such bubbles unworthy the bio
grapher of William Penn. Though he may have
been coldy treated for time by some bigots unable
to enter into his enlarged views all subjects. that
affect this character this day, with either the
members of his society, the world at large His was
the fate of all who live in advance of their age.
Entering life with every advantage which education,
social position influence, and wealth could give
him, he renounced all for conscience sake, and was
enabled to live in the dissolute Court of Charles the
Second, ard associate intimately with the leading
spirits Of the day, and yet preserve himself free from
their communicating influence. Had he Withdrawn from
them altogether, he would not have been deserv-
ing of praise. He Stunned the vices bout avoiding
the company of his early friends; far easier would
it have been have left them altogether, but he look
ed on his worldly station and influence with James
as TALENT for which he would be held accountable.
Yet he did not hesitate to risk the loss only of
his position at court, but large part Of his personal
y
promising his opinions. The personal we'll as the
| political friend and ardent admirer of the life and
principles of the immortal Sydney, he used every
ertion to ensure his election to Parliament at time
when it was his obvious interest to stand we'll at
court. To lie under the least suspicion of leaning
towards republican principles, at that time sufi-
cent to ruin any yet he pctitoned and obtained
with his grant of land, the most liberal charter
uScn 10 of 10
with the help of Agernon Sydney, far as was com
patibe with the reserved rights of the Crown. was
strictly republican, and still forms the basis of the
| Constitution Of the State he founded Though Lord
Proprietor of the soil, having obtained the grant in
place of just debt, he only reserved the right of
three votes in Council for the Governor, which Office
was hereditary in his family. To realize what was
considered as mere Utopian scheme he cheerfuIly
sunk large fortune, and though of thousands of
acres, at time poor pay the expenses of
a voyage across the Atlantic. Well may Mr.. Ma
caulay say. his confidence in persons less vrtuous
than himself led him into great and misfor-
tunes.'' Nor should his exerons in favor of reli-
gious liberty be forgotten. At time when to doubt
the policy of prosecuting the Papist was considered
worse than treason, he boldly avowed in his speech
before the committee " that he wished give the lib
truly sober and conscientious dissent any hand.'
When we consider that in that age liberty of
science was almost unheard Of we cannot sufficiently
admire this sentiment Papist and EpiscopaIian, Pres
byterian and Independent, were each for bringing
others to their way Of thinking. Even the much
persecuted Puritans, driven to seek refuge in what
seemed barren wilderness, turned all the power of
their laws, not only against their prosecutors, but
cry other sect. 1t remained for the despised Quakers
the followers of George Fox-.o proclaim through
their champion, William Penn, g Liberty to all
creeds!' Well may they glory in his name; and
who will blame them for seeking to free it from the
shadow which has been cast on by of the great
est writer's of the day We would not presume to
decide on the great question of Mr.. Macaulay's ve-
racity, but we hope all whose minds have been in
Auenced by what he has said of the courtly Qua
ker," will read Mr. Dixon's book and We leave it to
the unprejudced reader to decide whether the name
Of William Penn, as the firm unfinchng friend Of
civil and religious liberty, will not hereafter stand
forth on the page of history free from myth stain.
Exactly AS WE Expected. Sundays N. Y.
Herald virtually admits that the call for the next De-
mocratic Convention in Baltimore in June next with
the names of most Of the members of the National
Executive Committee. (our own among them.) pro.
fessedly signed by authority. and embracing Greer
and {" Donaldson" is miserable hoax. we thank
the PENNSYLVANIA for having in name and during
our ABSENCE exposed this utterly unauthorized trick.
AS soon as we can get rid of the dust and fatigue of
travel we shall fully expose this second act of wretch
ed hoax, at which the Presidents organ, the Repub-
lie, and other Wing papers 50 greediiy nibbed. j.,
81 -5> -' Rich Enquirer.
The Raleigh Register has been lending its aid in
AI-k- IL