Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-12-12
What .hall be Done !,

crisis, is the question which we hear from all sides.
The joint committee federal relations, composed
OF our ablest men, has not yet reported and it is
impossible to conjecture even what they will recon-
mend. If at all possible, let there be unity and har
mony, whatever the State may do or omit to do in
the present crisis
Should the State secedc with South Carolina?-
We think not Shonld she, in any event. separate
herself from the middle, breadstuff States, and unite
her destinies with the cotton States? We think
not. No cotton State has thus far even consulted
her. though several Of them are preparing to 20 out
1t is true no middle State has consulted her. but
this fact affords the best proof that the middle States
are not even contemplating dissolution. The inter-
ests Of North Carolina are much more identified
with Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Maryland
than they are with South. Carolina, Alabama, Mis-
sissippi, and Texas. When they manifest DISPOSE
ton to dissolve the Union it will be time enough for
her to move. Any attempt to establish "cotton
Confederacy" will fail 1t might last few years,
and it might escape degrading dependence on for
eign powers; but the people Of such Confederacy
would not be able to subsst on cotton. A king is
nothing without lords and commons. So it would
be with cotton. But if all the slaveholding States
should 60 off together in the last resort and if the
public property could be fairly divided and perma
nent arrangements made with reference to the mouth
of the Mississippi they might escape entangling al
liances with foreign nations, avoid war with the
Northern States, and prosper for a while. We say
this might be So but no one can be certain of it
War would come at last-war between brethren of
the same blood and speaking the same language
war; which would convulse this continent and shake
the word-war, which would leave behind it, in its
bloody and smoking track, military despotsm enor-
nous taxes, corrupted morals, and famished and
ruined people in both Confederacies We are not
ready to incur these hazards now. We will cling
to the Union as long as we can do so with safety
and honor; and when safety is threatened or honor
touched, will leave it, if that day should ever
come, without counting the cost, hoping for repose
and independence under new forms, and ready to
incur all the consequences which may follow disso
luton. When that day comes the middle States
will be ready, but they are not ready now.
We are utterly opposed to the recommendation of
Gov Ellis to consult the people of other States be-
fore our own people are consulted. We know Of
no conclusive reasons at this time why Conven-
ton of the people Of this State should be called but
we not afraid to trust the people with this or
any other question. Indeed, our complaint has been
that Gov. Ellis and his partizans afraid to trust
the people, and are seeking to commit them to dis-
union before consulting them. If two-thirds of the
members of the Legislature think a Convention
should be called, let them say so. Less than two
thirds cannot call a Convention; and any attempt
to call Convention by bare majority of the Leg
slature would be violation of the Constitution and
would be resisted or disregarded by the people
Let those fire-eaters who thinking of such a
course, beware If they shall dare to begin the
olution in North Carolina by trampling on the Con-
stitution of the State the consequences be their
own heads But if q Convention shall be called, we
shall insist that the action of the Convention shall
be submitted to the people at the 6allotbor for their
approval or rejection. We repeat, We rely on the
people, provided fair play is shown by the politi
clans; and if fair play is not shown it will be de-
manded and had at all hazards. These are stormy
times. We are in the midst of these times, and we
are prepared to bear our part in them. We are here
uiM Others to guard the interests Of the masses
against the schemes Of disunionists and demagogues
We intend to do it. The people of this State shall
not be committed to any step, if we can prevent it
without being allowed themselves to take that STEP
If the State is to stay in the Union and to give Mr.
Lincoln a trial. let them say so; if the State must
60 out, let them say so. But let US have consul
tations-secret consultations it may be-with other
States before our own State is consulted and let US
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jorlty of the Legislature.
We are authorized by Mr.. Coleman to state in
reference to the Standards assertion that he was
elected Solicitor Mr. Burton because Of his ICON
servatsm that that paper had authority to speak
for him on that question.-iState Journal
There is Sothing in our article referred to by the
Journal calculated to leave the impression that we
fact and we repeat it. that Mr.. Burton defeated
because he was an avowed disunionist. We knou
this to be So Mr.. Coleman aoas regarded as more
conservative than Mr. Burton; and we have no hes
taton in saying that if he had been an avowcd dis
unionist he would have been defeated also. We say
this without the slightest personal feeling in the
matter.
Sos
prise that we were defeated for State Printer because
we we're for the Union, and Mr. Burton for Solicto,
because he was against it This is easily explained
The Constitutional Union feeling was stronger wher
Mr. Coleman was nominated than it was at the frs
of the session. and so strong is it now that we viii
venture to say that no avowed disunionist will bt
elected to any office hereafter by the present Legs
ature The voice of the people is rolling in tone:
of thunder through the Capitol. We hear from
whole communities of Democrats, and from Counties
containing thousands Of voters Of all parties who ART
opposed at this time to dissolution, and who, stand
ing on the admirable and patriotic message of Mr.
Buchanan, will give the incoming administration
as much as they dislike it, fair trial ut is mol
every wrong-nay, it is not every grievous wrong,
says Mr.. Buchanan, which will justify resort tt
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