Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-10-23
For the Standard.
LETTER FROM HENRY W, MILLER, ESQ.
Oct. 18th, 1861.

RALEIGH, Oct u, 1861.
Ny DEAR SIR: Yours of the 9th inst, nquiring
whether am candidate for Congress in this Dis
trict, has been received / am not u candidate
The reasons which induced ME to decline the solci-
tations of many voters of the district to become
candidate, were regarded as satisfactory by those to
WHOM | hare had an opportunity to communicate
them
In April last about week after Mr.. Branch and
myself commenced the canvass for seat in the old
Congress- tile tyrannical proclamation of Lincoln
made its appearance. | regarded it as an open
declaration of against the South, and at once
withdrew, as did my competitor, and urged prompt
resistance with all the means that God and nature
had placed in our power" and resolutc, united
blow for the independence of the South as the only
which could from subugation and
tyranny. 1t was just source Of patriotic pride to
every North Carolinian, that our people were pre-
pared in mind and heart for the crsis-and met it
with that promptnesS unanimity and courage, which
proclaimed to the despotic and unprlncipled rulers
at Washington City, that nor, in the days of
the Revolution, they are, in opposition to tyranny
and wrong. "the most rebellious people in Ameri-
Ca" thought then, and so expressed myself that,
in the face of the declared purposes Of Lincolns
government, it behoovcd ns-n fact that it was
our plain bounden duty if true to ourselves and our
State, to biry all past political differences and ami
mosticS and stand shoulder to shoulder as band
of brothers, in defence of our rights and homes
Every day that has since passed. has only confirmed
in the opinion, that such union of sentiment and
concentration of effort arc necessary for success
This is not the time to indulge in political bicker-
ings party rivaries, or to encourage the selfish
purposes of personal ambition. In the presence of
the great ana glorious work before us, such things
sink into inSgniiicancc, and degrade still
the man who is mean enough to countcnance or
nurture them The inquiry should be. not
-.
a Enionist-but, is he true to the cause? Is he
ready to pledge Ibis life, his fortune his honor"
as fathers did, TO the cause of Independence p?
II lie is, then with me- at least it makes no diff
ference under what political flag he may have raj
lied i'll times gone by.-he is worthy of all conf
dence and is entitled in this great struggle, to the
position for which his abilities and merits befit him.
The history of the civilized world cannot furnish
parallel in iniquity and barbarty to the war
which the Northern government is now waging
against our people The despotic acts of that gov
eminent would carry any crow ell head Of the most
abject nation Of Europe to the block. The suspen-
sion Of the habeas cofPus-thc imprisonment of
patriotic men of high moral and intellectual WORTH
for the mere expression of political opinions right
guaranteed to them, i'll express terms, by the Con-
Stituion upon which that government Processes to
be based-the suppression Of the liberty of the
press-the cruel and savage incarceration of even
/, women and children who suspected of sympa-
thiSng with their friends and kindred of the South
| the brutal outrages committed by their hireling
soldiery, upon people, without regard to age
| sex-the ruthless and iron-hcarted tyranny by
! which the gallant State of Maryland is now ,nsuted
and trodden DOWNFALL this, and much more equally
as atrocous, admonish 'acar us, trumpet.tongued,
/ what will be fate if the vile and lawless pur-
| poses of that government are carried out Beyond
question: the very contemplation of posi-
bilIty of such destiny, is enough to arouse every
heart and nerve every arm in the South, to an en-
ergy and vaor as unconquerable the spirit OF her
own immortal Washington, and as firm as her noun
tain clIfs
! But we entertain no such fears. We may suffer
prvations-we may be subjected to reverses-we
may see our brothers and our sons sicken and die
under disease or fall the battle field pouring out
their le-blood in defence of all we hold dcar-but
| conquered, WE ARE RESOLVED NEVER TO BE! AS
! trials and dangers thicken thearm of our people
will become stronger and their hearts resoute
and invincble. What we have once done, if true to
ourselves, we can do again. Already have our ar
! mics given the enemy assurance doubly sure" Of
what brave people, contending in a Just cause are
able to acheve-and we can but trust that Bethel,
Manassas, Springfield and Lexington, will be beacon
lights to lead our gallant soldiers to still more
glorious victories.
Then let US bury past political diferences-sac-
rifice 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 Of
forts to effect our deliverance from despotism
worse than Egyptian bondage-sustain the gallant
leaders of our armies-contrbute our all, if neces
sary, for the comfort and support Of brave SOL
ders-"keep our powder dry" and trust in the
God of battles, and we need not fear the result Of
this great conflict! Independence now, and ndepen
dence FoREvER!" Let this be our motte
Pardon the length of this letter. You asked my
views on the subjects embraced in it, and have
given them candldly. l shall vote with pleasure
for DAVIS and STEPHENS because believe them
patriotic, honest, and capable.
/ l am your friend, 4
| and Ob't serv,t ,. .-.