Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-06-30
COMMUNICATIONS.
For the Standard.
The Signs of the Times.

some fear of apprehended danger to look AT the po-
ltical sky, and see if all is clear and bright, or
Gloomy and lowering The calm and tranquility,
the comfort and happiness, the affection ana loVe
which centre around the domestic hearth, are ohly
invaded and disturbed by some painful foreooaing,
that the country of our birth is ABOUT 10 unue'
some violent CONFUSION, which may shake 1t from
extremity to extremity. combination OF anlPo-
DIAL elements coalescng for the most sordId onecls
and actuated by anything bat a patriotic desire 10
preserve and pcrpetuate our institutions III an hei,
original purity is indeed sufficient to create lear ana
alarm. But whilst we tremble IN viewing tile ar.u
ing heavens, and behold indications OF a warilns
Of the clements" yet the whole lirrhaien' 10
shrouded n gloom. Hope, that lire divine WHICH
cheers the sad heart when dependency ods US aes-
pair tells us the future will be bright, ana tnat IL Is
the darkest hour that precedes the glowing iiSht VI
MORN -.. -. 49,,
For twelve mouths past the political waters have
been in commotion-agitated by unnatural lnhu-
ences. They must quiet, or the SNIP OF STATE can
never ride out the severity OF the Sale OF tue ooS
terouSness of the sea. Angry feeling, uhSoVernaoie
passions, bitter and acrimonious pre1udices naEe
been aroused and men heretofore friendly IN ther
social relations, 10 longer entertain reciprocal lee
ing of esteem and regard To what is tins detesta-
BILE spirit owing? What produces this estrangement
of fraterna affection and this alienation OF feelinS
eyerywhere? Is it because men entertain different
political sentiments and are so bigoed as to deny
others the right to act and think as they please
No. it is not this 1t is the ant-repuohcah anu pro
scrptye spirit which unfortunately exists IN our
midst that has introduced dscord and personal nos
tility into every community. Should TINS feelins
be of long continuance no one can toreteH the con-
sequences. Then let us hope Tor the best.
Men who assemble at secluded places, at late hours
in the night are certainly unfit to govern the coun
try. They need that moral courage so essential ID
public men. They would tremblingly shrink from
the responsibility of approving or dlsaPproVhs sea'
measures upon which is to depend the veal or woe
of the Republic. Their narrow creed ana their
narrow ideas of government would bring upon them
and their country obloquy and reproach: 1helr
dark council chambers could not hide them from the
finger Of scorn which would be constantly pointed
at them. Public opinion would follow and haunt
them like an evil spirit for their misdeeds DARK
ness and mu1ed faces cannot screen them from that
odium which must be attached to their names aS long
as they permitted to remain on this stage OF ac
ton. Let them take warning ere it be too late ana
repent the rashness and folly of their oYer-zeaious
exertions for power and plumber.
II is truly fascinating doctrine that Americans
should rule America They have from the exis-
tence of government up TO the present day pre-
sided it's desnes, and all assertions to the con-
trary are so base to need refutatlon. Follow
those who so loudly proclaim this glorious dogma
and like the agnts dtuas that dazzles and tascnates
the eye they will lead you into the deadly morass OF
whggery, whose ambient atmosphere Is rendered
and deathly from the putrescent and de-
bodies of disappointed politicians: Let
tSan' direct your footsteps, disciple of Jefferson
and with steathy pace you leaving your party to
worship at the feet of the Black Knight. The ni-
mortal principles of religious federation eloquent
ly commended by W aShliSIOn 10 HIS cohHtTy men,
and the rights secured to adopted citizens by the
Constitution can alone preserve for the benefit Of
future generations our model government.
And here it may be asked, are the signs OF the
times Giscouraging? Far, very far from it. "Ihe
clouds that lowered upon our house, are now, I'm
the deep bosom of the ocean buried" Know Moth
ingsm like an ''effervescence that has effervesced
is declining everywhere. Already the premonitory
symptoms of decay are visible. The dangers We
anticipated from it we hardly fear-potent it
would be for evil could it obtain the ascendency at
Washington. Virginia, the noble banner State of
invincbe Democracy, and the birth place OF the re-
yered founder of creed, sounded the first peal
of it's death-knell. Stephens and Toonbs, Preston
and Kerr leaders of the Wing party in its palmest
days. battling against the odious principles of
Sam" and the late Philadelphia Convention gives
the sable parsonage eternal quetus and repose If
the signs of the times not suspicious fer the
Democracy must confess my inability to read them.
In North Carolina we can inform our friends
abroad that prospects highly hatterng. The
sterling Democracy Of the Old North State know
their duty and have resolved to perform it the
I'd Of August. We expect to return to the next
Congress six seven opponents of Know Nothing
m, out of the eight members allowed In the
.rst District Dr. Shaw will undoubtedly be reelect
I'd to the seat he occupies creditably to him.
self and his constituents As fearless defender Of
Democratic principles his cogent reasoning and
burning satire, added to the suavity Of his manners,
will tell with fearful force against his adversarieS In
his, the I'd District the Hon. Thomas Ruffin. bold
'eady sarcasm expose its hideousness will be |
urned to Congress every excrtion secret foe
;an put forth. Whilst we consider but District
doubtful IL: us show by increased majorities for
such Kerr, Winslow, Branch, and other !
that the Old North State, has retro
graded from the position she has occupied for the
past five years. This cheering result confidently |
anticipate, and August will beam upon our |
expectations realized.
To all Democrats, say, be of good cheer. The |
afety and welfare of the country confided to |
your hands. What precious trust! Democratic |
principles in the vgor of healthy existence while
the carcass of defunct Whiggery has bleached I'M |
Ter three summers suns. Our party stands upon |
he platform of the Constitution, upon the great |
principles enuncated in the resolutions Of 1798-'99
Ind re-atfrned the landmarks of our faith in ev-
cry National Convention have held They do |
not change to success, but stand out to the
world in all their excellence as the true crtera of
epabcanism, and chart to direct struggling ma |
ions to the priceless blessings Of liberty. Let de-
cat come upon our fag-let fanatical and sectional
opposition assail it-let bgotry and intolerance |
ack t-and it will float when madness has ceased |
% rule the hour" the unconquerable banner of |
great party. With our hearts right and ready for
The contest let remember our dearest interests !
IRE at stake as Americans and be prepared to meet
he foe and conquer him..
"Rlse! or Greece falls
Up! or freedom breathes her last 7"
W. V. G.
Beaufort, N. c., June %, 1856
For The Standard.