Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-03-30
The Wilmington Journal.


Was it not opposed to it? Certainly, If we take
that paper itself in its issue of the 18TH wit
ness Speaking of the action of Surry county, the
Standard says, that "she endorsed that dangerous
man Holden, by 929 MAJORITY" Now this MAORI
ty is the precise majority against Convention. and
therefore must take it for granted that in going
against Convention she endorsed Mr.. Holden
There is no other conclusion. The thing speaks
for ITSELF"
That was simply mistake. We perceived it az
ter had published the vote of Surry by precincts
but we did not deem it of sufficient importance to
require correction. We took the majority against
Convention instead of the majority in favor of Mr..
Haymore, the Union candidate by mistake.
We had the honor to cooperate through the
whole of the last session of the Legislature with
Hon. Bedford Brown. That gentleman advocated
Convention in the committee on federal relations
and in his place in the Senate and to his efforts
mainly are the people indebted for the Convention
bill as it passed We refer especially to that pro-
vision in it which required the action of the Con-
vention to be submitted to the people at the polls
for their ratification rejection. We were all
along there with Mr.. Brown, sustaining him to the
best of our humble ability. If the views of the
peculiar favorite and pet of the Journal-Mr SAM
uel j. Person-had prevailed, the bill would have
been reported ui the prorision referred to omitted
and in that shape it never could have passed. Mr..
| Person was, therefore, more in the way of Con-
vention than Col. Brown was, than We were;
yet we have no doubt the Journal will say Mr. Per-
son right and wrong The Journal
has way of doing such things.
! We voted for a Convention. We thought it advisa-
bic, under all the circumstances, that one should be
ILL
matter in their hands. But we were voted
down. We are in the habit of respecting the pop
ular will as well by deed as in word and because
we respect that WILL and because we know that a
majority of the people of the State are much wiser
| than we are, and much wiser than any number of
mere politicians, we cheerfully abide their decision
We do it. too, in good faith We do not come for
ward and tell them indirectly that they did not
know their own minds when they voted down a
Convention. We do not tell them that they are
not fit for selfgoyernment unless they will vote
twice in the course of a month OF so on the same
| proposition. We do not insult their intelligence
and their judgment by declaring to them that
though in February they decided by two to one to
remain in the Union for the present yet if they
will only vote again in March or April they will
decide to go out of the Uuion! Can the Journal
and his brother disunionsts say as much9
We are opposed to agitation. The people want
repose. They said by voting down a Conyen-
ton. They are watchful, and they will take care
of themselves They not towards and they
are not indifferent to their rights. They will not
submit to the administration of the government on
Republican principles, and they will not permit the
general government by any aggressive movement to
shed the blood Of Southern men. But they do OBJ
ject to being poked perpetuay with the pole of ag
tation. If they should want Convention they
will call for it. With no new reasons for Conven-
ton, and with developments menacing their honor
or their safety, they will not be apt to precpitate
themselves into fresh excitements merely to crafty
the wishes of Mr. Fulton, and Mr.. Barringer, and
Mr. Craige, and Mr.. Raw Notes. and Mr.. Robinson,
(poor Robinson y and Mr.. Branch, and Mr.. Edwards,
and Gen. Green. They beg to be excused.
But in the same article the Journal becomes per-
sonal, as follows:
Governor Ellis said in the town of Wilmington
that he believed the people would soon call for a
Convention and would have ore, however the cleo
ton OF the 2Sth ult. might turn out He said that
circumstances beyond their control would force this
upon them. Did Governor Ellis say that he would
call Convention ?-no! for every man knows that
he has not that power Did he say anything about
what he would do? No. not word lie spoke of
the inevitable tendency of events and the nevta-
BILE conclusions to which such tendency of events
would bring the popular mind in tbs State and yet
| we find papers demanding who Governor Ellis is
that he should venture to express opinion upon
current events. We suppose those who ask such
| question know that John w. Ellis is the Governor
| of North Carona-that he is gentleman who has
been twice elected by majority of the people of
the State to the highest position in the Common
| wealth, and they should also know that while the
people understand that the proprieties of his posi-
ton estop him from noticing the personal attacks
made upon HIM, they also appreciate at their proper
value the course of those who make these attacks.
We do not desire to go into this matter further
| We have studously avoided personalities and in
deed, all controversies, even when impersonal."
Now, Gov. Ellis made ar extraordinary speech in
| Wilmington, and we commented on it. We had
right to comment on it. We made no personal at
tack on him. We have not on any occasion, per-
sonaly assailed him. Those who charge that we
are governed in our course towards Gov Ellis by
personal malice, judge US by themselves They
would act malicously if they were in our place.
and so they impute malice to US. We have nothing
to say against him as a man-we deal with him as
politician and public officer But the Journal
chooses to produce different impression and to in
innate that we have acted cowardy part in assail-
ing whose hands tied by the proprieties of
his position" Well now, Mr.. Fulton, your hands
are not tied. You belong to Gov. Ellis cabinet
and we have said as hard things about YOU as we
ever said about him. In the article before us you
charge us with unmanly conduct-with assailing
one whose hands are tied; and yet after indulging
in this gross and unfounded personality towards
us, you declare your aversion to personalities and
say you have "studiously avoided" them. Be con-
sistent Mr. Fulton, if you cannot be just
The Journal in the same article says: -.
IF any citizen takes the liberty of regretting