Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-10-23
'..r 80 For the Standard.
LETTER FROM HENRY W, MILLER, ESQ.
Oct. 18th, 1861.

RALEIGH, Oct 10, 1861.
Ny DEAR Sir: Yours of the 9Th inst, inquiring
whether am candidate for Congress in this Dis
trict has been received I an not q cdndidata--
The reasons which induced me to decline the solci-
tatons of many voters of the district to become
candidate were regarded satisfactory by those to
whom haze had an opportunity to communicate
them.
In April last about a week after Mr. Branch and
myself commenced the canvass for seat in the old
I Congress- the tyrannical proclamation of Lincoln
7 made its appearance. | regarded it an open
declaration Of war against the South and at once
withdrew, as did my competitor, and urged prompt
resistance with all the that God and nature
had placed in our power" and resoute, united
blow for the independence of the South the only
course which could from suhjmgation and
tyranny. 1t was Just source Of patriotic pride to
every North Carolnan, that people were pre-
pared in mind and heart, for the criSiS-and met it
with that prOmptneSS, unanimty and courage, which
proclaimed to the dcSpotc and unprIncipled rulers
at Washington City, that ao,c, as in rthe days of
the Revolution, they arr, in oppuSitonto tyranny
and wrong, 1.-The most rebellouS people in Amer-
ca" thought then, AMI so expressed myself, that
in the face Of the declared purposes of Lincoln's
government, it bchoovcd uS-in fact, that it
our plain boundcn duty if true to ourselves and our
State 10 bury all past political differences and ami
mnSite$ and stand shoulder to shoulder, as a band
Of brothers, in defence Of our rights and homes
Every day that has since passed. has only confirmed
me in the opinion that such union of sentiment and
concentration Of effort necessary for our success
This is not the time to indulge in political bicker
ingS party rivalrieS, to encourage the selfish
purposes Of personal ambition. In the presence Of
the great anu glorious work, before US such things
sink into nSignCancc, and degrade even still more
the man who is mean enough to- countcnance or
nurture them. The inquiry now should be, not
was nc a Whig, or Democrat, or Secessionist, or
Il Unionist-but is he true to the cause? Is he
ready to pledge his life his fortune, his honor"
fathers did, to the ct,rse Of independence p
II lie is then with mc, at least it makes no diff
ference under what political. flag hc may have raj
lied in times gone by,-he is worthy OF all conf
dencc and entitled in this great struggle to the
position for which his abilities and merits bcft him.
The history of the civilized world cannot furnish
a parallel in iniquity and barharty to the war
which the Northern government il now. wagng
against people The deSpotic acts Of that gov
crnment would carry any crown ell head of the most
ahjcct nation Of Europe to the block. The suspcn-
sion Of the habeas coypUs-the Imprisonment Of
patriotic men Of high moral and intellectual worth
for the expression Of political opinions, right
guaranteed to them, in express terms, by the Con-
StitutOn upon which that government processes to
be baScd-the suppression Of the liberty of the
preSs--the cruel and savage incarceration of even
women and children who were suspected of sympa-
thising with their friends and kindred of the south
sodiery, upon people, without regard to age or
Scx-thc ruthless aud iron heartfelt tyranny by
which the gallant State Of Maryland is InSultcd
and trodden DOWNFALL this and much more equally
as atrocious, admonsh, soarn US, trumpet tongued
what will be fate, if the vile and lawlesS pur-
poses of that government are carried out. Beyond
question: the very plation of theremotest posi-
bty Of such destiny, is enough to arouse every
heart and nerve every arm in the South, to an en-
orgy and valor unconquerable the spirit of her
own immortal Washington and as firm as her noun
tain cliffs o.
But we entertain no such fears. We may suffer
privations-we may be subjected to reyerses we
may see our brothers and our sons sicken and die
under disease fall the battle field pouring out
their liIe-blood in defence of all hold dcar-but
conquered, WE ARE RESOLVED NEVER TO BEL As
trials and dangers thicken the arms Of our people
will become stronger and their hearts fesulute
and invncible. What we have done, if true to
ourselves, do again. Already have our ar
mics given the enemy assurance douby sure" Of
what brave people, contending in Just cause, are
able to achieve-and we can but trust that Bctheir
Manassas, Springfield and Lexington, will be beacon
lights 10 lead gallant soldiers to still more
glorious victories.
Then let us bury past political differenccs-sac.
rifce every thing to the cause-devote our whole
energies Of body and mind to the vigorous prosecu.
ton of the war-stand by the government in its ef
forts to effect our deliverance from despotisln
worse IMAM Fey pllah oonu'lSe-suStatnf ne gaiiant
leaders of our armIes-contrbute all, if neces-
sary for the comfort and support of our brave SOL
diers-"kecp powder dry" and trust in the
God of battles, and need not fear the result of
this great conflict Independence aoaO and indepen
dence FoREvERr' Let this be our motto
Pardon the length of this letter. You asked my
views on the subjects embraced in it, and have
given them candIdy. l shall vote with pleasure
for DAVIS and STEPHENS, because | believe them
patriotic honest, and capable - ..
G l am your friend, 7- - 80.