Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-10-09

The OLD UNION MEN-Down to the Proclamation
of Lincoln large portion of the people of Virginia,
probably maOrity, were in favor of, and had
hopes of preserving the old Union. When that
document appeared, most Of these abandoned their
former opinions they saw that the issue made
up between Liberty and Despotism, and like true
and loyal sons of Virginia, as they are no men raj
lied more promptly to the standard of the Old Com
monwealth. Whole brgades of the army which
have endured the harlships of the camp and met
the enemy in battle, composed of these same
Unionists, whom people who have never been in a
hundred miles of the enemy, delight to stlgnatize
as "Su6missionists." The Stone VaU Brigade"
o: Gen. Jackson which stood the brunt of the fight
at Stone Bridge for twelve hours and covered them
selves and their country with glory was made up
exclusively of "ISu6missiOnists" from the strong
Union counties of the Valley. The same remark is
applicable to almost the whole of the gallant army
commanded by General Johnston, and might be
extended to many other divisions. These people
did not pause to get fat and safe places in the Quar-
termaster's or Commssariat Departments or the
Staff they went right off TO the war; and there they
have been doing their duty like patriots and heroes
They haven't been thinking and scheming for organ.
izlng parties their whole souls, all they had and
their lives were freely offered for the safety and
independence of their country
If their former Unionsm, which they shared with
a large portion Of their countrvmen, is to be an
dternal SuSma ana reproach tc them, they would
do well TO surrender the posts of danger and suffer
ing to the flaming patriots who delight in Genounc-
ing them, and who would do the work so much bet
ter than they can. We understand that two of the
Secretaries have laid down the broad principle that
no man, who held Union principles since the Access
sion of Lincoln, and was willing to accept Office
under him, shall hold any Office under the Confed-
crate Government. In the carrying out of this
principle, poor man, who held cerkship in the
Treasury Department. whose father and grandfather
have fought for the county, and every one of whose
kindred capable of bearing arms, is now in the
field has been dismissed from the service as unfit
to be trusted We hear the same principle is recog-
1 nized at the War Department. With all our en-
thuslasm for the cause, with all our devotion to
secess on, we cannot put away the conviction that
this is most unworthy dwarfIng of great and
glorious movement for freedom to miserable and
contemplate scramble for office
We are gratifed to know, and we take pleasure
in stating, that no such narrow, ungenerous and
unjust spirit anmates the Chief of our new Confed.
eracy. President Davis sees and RECOGNIZES q
brother in every who is true and loyal to this
great cause. In his letter to Mr. Nelson. he Tins
announced, in terms worthy of the LIBERAL enlisbt.
ened and sagacious leader of the greatest
OF any age, the elevated and catholic principle OF
his Administration:
The desire of this Government being to main.
tam the independence it has asserted by the united
feeling and action of all its citizens it has been its
policy not to enter into questions of differences Of
political opinions heretofore existing"
This makes oand of brothers of all the true
sons of the South. Palsied be the tongue thai
would mar the happy harmony!
Richmond Whig.