Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-12-29
The Voice of the People.

We continue our extracts from letters received |
from friends. These letters are from gentlemen OF
all shades of political opinions, but they all agree
that the Union of the States is too dear and too i'm
portant to us all to be abandoned without earnest
united, and prolonged effort for its preservation
Depend upon it attachment to Constitutional
Union is still the uppermost feeling in the hearts OF
the people of North Carolina.
A friend writing from Aiamance County says:
az had almost despaired of the Union so far as
this State is concerned, until saw the strong and
patriotic grounds you had taken for Constitutional
Union The people of both parties are with you.
Set Alamance down at twenty-five to one for the
Union"
A highly intelligent and worthy friend, formerly
in public life in this State, writes US as follows from
Alabama
AZ see with great surprise that John Spelman has
been elected State Printer over you. You are no
doubt correct when you say this thing was done to
destroy you. Should they succeed in the attempt,
can Of truth say that the people Of North Caro-
lima will have lost Of their best friends. But for
you North-Carolna would never have been Demo-
cratic State. This is, or rather admitted by
friends and foes. will say this much that if there
ever was a consistent Editor you have been that
man. have been, ever since | entered public life
Q844) close and constant reader of the Standard;
and defy any one of your enemies to fix upon you
any deviation from true Democratic principles
The majority of the people of this part of Alabama
are for immediate secession. To this hasty action
do not agree But | think the matter ought to be
settled now between the North and the South An
attempt to settle it. if fail will give time to
prepare for the coming storm. One thing of itself
should make us hesitate about immediate secession,
and that is the gratitude due from to those North
ern men-Cass, Douglas, Dickinson, and others
who have been sacrificed politically for contendipg
for our rights"
The above is from a Democrat who has always
been true to his principles.
A Democratic friend, who is we'll posted, writes
us as follows from Chatham County:
In these times Of danger and peril am glad to
believe that Chatham County, without distinction of
party, is almost at present unanimously for the
Union in accordance with the Constitution. There
are only few among US for dsunion or secession at
this time. You may rest assured this is So"
A friend writing from Iredell County says:
81 am pleased to see that the conservative and
Union-lovIng men of North Carolina are waking up
and making their influence felt through public meet
ings have large family, with four sons nearly
grown. | would be willing TO see them sacrificed
for their country in praiseworthy cause but to be
called out 10 fight merely for the qualification Of
few leading and fanatca politicians, is beyond en-
Union. We had very interesting Constitutional
Union meeting in Statesvile not long since. l sim
cerey trust that all difficulties will he settled
but If the contest must come let it be between the
conservative Union men North and South and the
aboltionsts North and the extreme fire eaters South
Then would know what we were fighting for,
and for one could go into it with clear conscience
If we could dispose of the whole of these fanatics
the Union would be safe and We would get along in
peace"
Democrat in Ashe County, writing to friend
in this City, says
al think know the sentiments of the people of
this County, and do not believe there is single
man in the County who is in favor of secession for
existing causes | know of none, and have heard
the people express themselves on this subject We
are all for a Constitutional Union. We say, try
Lincoln. If he does well, all will be right If he
violates the Constitution there viii. be time enough
to withdraw from the Union. Nor do believe the
people Of Ashe are in favor of calling Convention.
We do not believe that Convention would be pro-
ductive of any good results. 1t would incur heavy
expense for nothing. see that my Demo
cratic friends in Raleigh getting toleraby warm
the secession leaders think they can lead the peo-
pie off after them, they will find themselves mis-
taken. know they will be mistaken so far as this
County is concerned. All have heard express
themselves say they will stand by Holden. The
position he has taken is the right one and he will
be heartily endorsed by the Democracy of this
County,"
A friend writing from Hartford County says:
Permit me to congratulate you on the noble stand
| you have taken for q Constitutional Union You
| know that have always been Wing, but when
see the noble stand you have taken in opposition to
| those whose hopes Of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT render them
| the enemies of the best government the world has
! ever known, [ cannot withhold my need of praise
have yet see the first Democrat or Wing in this
| County who is in favor of disunion. Go on in your
| patriotic course, and you will be sustained by
all true men by whatever party names heretofore
| known"
A friend writing from Yancey County says:
a am glad to see you taking so bold and decided
| stand for the Constitution and the Union. feel
safe in saying this County will be with you until she
| has cause to act otherwise"
A friend writing from Cabarrus County says:
ave had meeting of portion of the people o
Cabarrus on Saturday. AS it was bad day, ant
the notice was only written and not extensively cir
cuated |, with many other Union men, refused t.
take part in the meeting. The resolutions, how
ever, were not as fire-eating as expected do no
believe the meeting reflected the will of the people
Cabarrus is for the Union long it can be main
| tanned with honor and the Constitution is respect
ed-but no longer. We could get up larger anC
more imposing meeting, but we do not think it ne
cessary."
We beg leave to suggest to our correspondent tina
the course pursued by Mr.. Barringer, the Senate
/ from Cabarrus and Stanly, would seem to call for
full and emphatic expression of opinion from tn
people of those Counties. Mr.. Barringer is mum
bered here among the secessIonists. 1t is true h
does not to be quite ready for dissolution, blu
he is acting with those who are doing all in thei
power to bring it about. Is his course in this re
spect approved by majority Of the people of Ca
barrus and Stanly. We do not believe it is.
We have many more letters in hand, from whicl
| we will give extracts hereafter.
The ROBBERY OF Trust FUNDs.-A young maj
named Gordon Bailey, of South Carolina, law cer
in the Interior Department, some time since robbie