Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-02-12
LETTER FROM HON. W. A. GRAHAM.

To A. IT. Waddell, Esq, Wilmington Herald:
In your paper of the 1st inst, have observed
the publication of the proceedings of meeting of
Minute Men" in the town of Wilmington, in which
my is used to sanction, by implication at least,
a proceeding from which l wholly dissent The
fourth resolution of the meeting is as follows:
4. ResOLred, That we have seen with pleasure
announcement said to be based upon the best au-
thority," that the Hon. VIM. A. Graham would not
"cOndescend to accept" seat in the cabinet of Lin
coin, and if it is inconsistent with the dignity Of
North Carolina statesman to accept Office under
Black Republican administration, it is equally incon
sistcnt with the dignity of the free people of North
Carolina to be subjects of an administration thor
oughly hostile to their rights and interests.
| have not been offered seat in Mr.. Lncolns
Cabinet. have no personal acquaintance with him,
and have never had any correspondence either with
him or with any person authorized to make such
offer. Since the publications in the newspapers
some time since, of my name in connection with
those of others, as one, to whom such an appoint
;nent might be rendered the subject has been refer
red to- not unfequently in Conversations and in two
or three instances in correspondence with my friends
To them have stated that such an offer had not
been made, and that if it were made, it would be
declined. From these conversations which
without reserve, the article published in the Spirit
Of the Age and alluded to in the resolution no doubt
had its origin. | had no knowledge of it however,
until copied into the Fayetteville Observer of last
week. While it states the fact that would decline
to accept, it does so in language, which would sub
Ject me to the lmputaton Of arrogance had it been
employed by me.
But while unwilling to become the confidential
adviser of a President, whose election effected
upon sectional principles and by sectional votes, it
is well known that am far from believing, his cleo
ton merely is sufficient cause for the abandonment
of the Government of our fathers and especially for
its overthrow by unlawful violence, such as is pro-
posed by the meeting in question and which threat
destruction alike the constituted authorities of
the State well the Federal Government. All such
proceedings are based on the mistaken suppOstiOn,
that the Government is monarchy, and the PreSi-
dent sovereign TO whom we owe allegiance, and
who may regulate and influence destinies at his
pleasure whereas he is but the chief servant among
those of the national household, whom the people
from time to time, call to the performance of du-
ties limited and defined 10y the Constitution and
Laws. Although the person now elected has no
claim upon our section of the Union, except that he
has been elected according 10 the provisions of the
Constitution that is sufficient TO cntitle him to in
ductiOn INTO Office and to the exercise of its legal
functions" acquieScence in the decision of MAORI
ties, says Jefferson ION questions committed to ma
iorticS) sis the vital principle of Republics, from
which there is no appeal but to force the vital prn
ciple, and Immediate parent of dcSpotiSm." Let MIN,
then, be installed in office according to the require
ments of the Government under which he elect
ed-and give to the nation summary of his policy.
The speeches on the huStingS not always the
guides in the political administration of Government
Let us hear before strikc-thcre will be abate
mcnt of manly spirit to vndicate rights, after
this enSucS, from what existed before
The real grievances of which the South has right
to complain-and as to which none are more earn
est in desiring redress than mysef-are not the
suit of Presidential usurpatOns; they spring from
disregard Of the obligations of the Constitution
among large portion of the people of the non-slave
holding States favored in many instances by the
ton of their State Governments. The remedies for
them, if the present Congress fail to agree upon
them, Should in my opinion, be sought by calm
appeal TO the people, through Convention Of all
the States. Such body has never been assembled
since the adoption of the Federal Constitution. 1t
would probably be free from the asperities which
have characterized the deliberations of Congress
and if upon candid confession Of opinions our diff
ferences should be found to be irreconciliable it
could provide for that peaccable separation much
to be desired, if it must cOmv and which is hardly
possible in any other mode. This may be too da-
tory to accommodate the views of more ardent ma
lures but it may be tried in far less time than our
fathers spent efforts for reconciliation with their
brethren beyond the Atlantic before the final sever
Is not the preservation of the Government of
ancestors, haowcd by their wisdom, and con-
secrated to us through a thousand recollectons of
national greatness, prosperity and renown, worthy
of such an experiment, and thus much delay? In
endeavorng study and understand it by the light
Of the history of The past it has seemed to that
It was Government made for this people, and the
people for the Government Let us preserve and
regulate it if pOssble-not destroy it. | have but
little hope of seeing another securing to us so much
freedom prosperity and safety. have still less from
reconstruction, which the favorie idea o: its de-
stroyers. 1t was difficult to procure its adoption by
nine States amid circumstances of the most pressing
necessity 1t will be still more difficult to obtain
the ratification Of a system by fifteen with the
diverse theories of government interest and safety
which pervade them. All these risqueS of the fu-
ture, shall, trust be ready as other men to en-
counter, if the public interest or safety honor,
shall require it. But would have North Carolina
to sgnalize her devotion to that constitution which
her people have loved so well, and whose covenants
she has faithfully kept by moderation, forbear-
ance, and abstinence from precipitate action-to
mediate and pac(y if posSiblc-to prevent the dis
Indignation of the Confederacy least until its diff
ferent members shall have sufficient time and oppor-
tunity in candor and spirit of justice, to under
stand the positions and ideas Of each other. When
this shall have been done, do not despair of seeing
a return of peace, amty and union. If not and the
destruction of the Government becomes necessity
shall at least have the consolation to know that
our best efforts not wanting for its preserva-
ton.
Very Respectfully Yours
w. A. GRAHAM.
Hillsboro' Feb 9Th, 1861.