Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-01-12

IL Is not our purpose to msrepresent him. The
cause Of present disunion, which he advocates, is
weak enough of itself; and there is no reason,
therefore, why we should misrepresent him, even if
we were disposed to do so. The truth is, we pre-
sume-as limited to rs by friend-that the follow
ing language, used by US in the Standard of Thurs
day, was the real reason why Messrs. Person and
Avery exhibited such feeling in their remarks about
us: The secession leaders have been compelled by
public opinion to come TO our position that bare
majority of the Legislature cannot call Conven-
ton; and We now notify them that they will have
to fall peg by providing that the action of the pro-
posed Convention shall not be final until ratified
rejected by the people" We repeat and stand to
this language.
Mr. Erwin, ofBuncombe, also referred in his place
in the Senate on Thursday to our brief notice of
his remarks, and complained that we had done him
injustice in stating in leaving the inference to be
drawn from eur statement, that one Of his reasons
for desiring Convention was to make changes in
relation to dd UalOrem and the status of the free
gro. We did not hear all of Mr.. Erwin's remarks;
but he dwelt at some length upon the fact that an
unlimited Convention could take up and dispose OF
these questions and he concluded by saying that
his views on secession were we'll known. Still we
knew that Mr.. Erwn's main object in voting for a
Convention was to consider of and determine fed
erai affairs; and so, having stated that, went on
to say that 4" in addition" he would be disposed TO
"look" to the Convention to make the changes re-
ferred to. Certainly did not design to represent
him urging Convention with the view o. effect
ing these changes Of its primary objects, but
only as incidental or germane to the leading pur-
pose for which it would be called. We take pleas
ure in setting Mr. Erwin entirely right in our col
umns, especially as his manner and language in re-
erring to the matter were kind and respectful and
devoid of that bitterness and harshness which char
acterized the tone and language of Mr. Avery. We
can differ, and differ radically with such a man as
Erwin, and still maintain with him pleasant person
al relations for, as he is just patriotic, and an
honest man himself so he accords to others the
same qualities which constitute part of his own
characterand only regret is that he feels it to
be his duty to act with such disunionsts Messrs
Avery and Person. Instead of going wiM such
men, Mr.. Erwin is fitted, by his genius, holiness
and eloauence to lead and control them.
We call attention to Mr.. Erwin's Card, which we
publish below
RALEIGH Jan. H. 1861.
To the Editor ot the Standard:
DEAR SIR: In the Standard of the 10Th inst, /
find the following paragraph in your editorial ac-
count of the debate which occurred in the Senate
the 9th:
Mr.. Person and Mr. Avery, it seems, want q
Convention TO take the State at once out of the
Union; but Judging from Mr. Erwin's remarks in
the Senate he looks to Convention to take the
State out Of the Union, and in addition to make
changes in the Constitution with reference to I'D
rdlorem and free persons of color
fyou understood me to say, and therefore intend
ed to make the impression upon your readers, that
did say that desired Convention to be called now
for the purpose Of adopting dd rdlorem taxation you
certainly were mistaken and have unintentiOnally
no doubt done me injustice. only alluded to al
rdiOrem taxation present existing element OF
domestic diScord and strife which had better be dis
posed of in some way; and only suggested that the
substitute offered by Mr.. Avery to the Convention
BILL would enable the people, y they 'cished to do
So to settle this question well to determine the
future status of the free coored population of the
State. do not urge the call Of Convention in or
der to have any change in the present Constitution
of the State. | want Convention called an
nounce as have no doubt it WILL the fixed deter.
mination Of the people Of NorthCarona to abandon
Union in which ;hey can no longer remain with
out dishonor and disgrace.
; Very respectfully and truly yours.
MARCUS ERWIN.