Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-09-25
Hyde County.

Hyde County.
Since the Hatteras disaster and the surrender of
many of the benighted and unfortunate people who
live on the banks, to the forces of Lincoln, Hyde
county is likely to become as notorious for its trea-
son. if rumors are to be believed, as it has been for
Its abundant corn crops. Justice and proper
State pride, however, demand at the hands Of the
press and Of community the suppression of illound
ed rumors and uncharitabe implications rejecting
upon the loyal citizens of Old HYDE
we were sorry to see the following statement
without qualification in the Newbern Progress of
the 10th inst. That paper speaking of a conversa-
ton with gentleman direct from Hyde, says:
"He assured us that over 200 had already taken
it and that the rest will soon do it including out
Of every 10 of the citizens of Hyde county in self
defence if assistance is not Immediately sent to their
relief This is a shameful state of things
The sea coast was the only portion Of our State
upon which Federal hoofs could possibly intrude,
and yet that portion is permitted to 60 unprotected
and after the enemy has got possession of the most
important inlet, two weeks are permitted to pass
and still assistance to the people of Hyde county
one OF the most important counties of the State has
been sent. If the same slow motioned inactive
course is to be pursued for two weeks to come, in
all probability it will be impossible for our troops
to enter the county at all. Immediate action alone
can save our State from an invasion that will cost
thousands Of dollars and hundreds of lives to repe"
The latter paragraph is doubtless true to the let
ter, but the former contains statement touching
the people of Hyde county proper, which we are
sure is overstated. The Informant of the Progress
was no doubt making his escape from Hyde, and
spoke either as his fears or his prejudces prompted
him.
1t is doubtless true as this informant says, that
quite number, perhaps, lover 200" of the people
living on the banks contiguous to IIattcras, have
taken the oath to support Lincoln's government
But If the public knew all their surroundings and
what kind of people they are, it would surprise
them that all did not take it. They are hardy,
ignorant, poor people, who are cut off from their
fellow citizens Of Hyde by Sound 80 miles wide,
and from the rest of mankind. They obtain pre-
carious subsistence by fishing, plotting and wreck
ingthey almost entirely without schools or mail
facilities Perhaps there not than 80 news
papers circulated among the thousand people living
on our coast banks Their intercourse with Yankee
seamen has been more intimate than with the peo-
pie Of their State and most of their living they
obtained from the Yankees. They we're opposed to
disunioa and the war, yet on the breaking out of
hostities they resolved 20 take sides with the South
They petitioned for arms and for force to help them
whip the Yankees. Arms were denied them. Two
small forts were erected and small force was sent
not so much to defend them as to keep the Yankees
off from the main land. They felt neglected, but
nevertheless it is asserted and have not heard it
contradicted that when Hatteras was attacked they
rushed to the defence of the forts When the forts
were taken and our troops were surrendered, they
were left defenccless. But few of them could leave
the hanks for the want of means. and if they did
they must leave all they had. and knew not where
to go for help. Thus these unfortunate people
left to choose between two evils either to
render as prisoners of war and be forced to leave
their poor families to starve take the oath and
secure the protection Of Lincoln. Those who were
able to leave doubtless did So and refused to take
the OATH
Lincoln gains nothing by the acquisition-the
South loses nothing by their submission yet their
poverty or unproftabeness should not shield our
State government and Military Board from the shame
and disgrace of failing to afford them ample protec-
tion. Yet if Hatteras were retaken tomorrow, and
it ought 10 be- every of these unfortunate
lures would rejoice at it. and would swear by earth
and Heaven afterwards to be loyal to the South
But the object of this article was to protest against
the declaration above, that "6 out of every 10 Of
the citizens of Hyde county" proper will take the
same oath in sefdefence, if assistance is not speed
| ly sent there. Now, We do not intend to say any
thing to prevent the authorities sending them speedy
help. 1t ought to be done quickly. But We do in
tend to say, that we believe the above is slandc1
against the good people of Hyde. Many of them
intelligent highly respectable and wealthy, and
most of them comfortable livers. Six ont of ter
would leave the county, if they had to choose be
tween submission or leaving. But there are mer
there and the majority would resist to the DEATH i
they had any hope of beating the enemy back
There brave spirits there who will fight tt
the last: and the masses only want arms and a lead
er, to fight as bravely as any people.
Yet, as in every county, there are doubtless SOM
craven-hearted, cowardly men there who would sub
init and cringe, to save their property, if not the
lives. Perhaps it is our duty to state rumor which
We learn is being very generally circulated to tn
damage of hitherto respectable citizen of tha
county, in order to afford him or his friends an op
portunity to correct it. if it be false.
1t is reported that after the surrender Of Hatteras
meeting Of the citizens of Hyde was called, to TAX
into consideration their imminent danger At tina
meeting rumor has it. that DR.. Milton Selby, form
erly Commoner from Hyde, arose and proposes
that proposition should be made to the Lnco
commander at Hatteras, that the people Of Hyd
would furnish him full supplies of corn beef &C.
at reasonable rates. provided that the Lincoln force
should not attack them, &c. At this it is said, Ma
thaniel Beckwith, Esq., arose and denounced him a
traitor. DR. Selby repelled the charge rather me
nacingly, upon which Mr.. Beckwith knocked hiu
down and gave him a sound thrashing. So far a
we can learn, no one sympathized with DR.. Selby'
views, and we give the case as rumor has it, to a
ford the parties the opportunity of correcting if un
true, 81 damaging story. The wonder has bee