Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-05-15
5a t rat 1heIsaxoau datuFATs IxfloaIo araoz zfT
WHOLE NUMBER 1868.

our only exemption above theirs being: that like
the victims Of the Cyclops, we shall be last To- be
devoured do not mean that Mr.. Seward, Mr..
Chase, or even Mr.. Lincoln himself entertains auy
present design of extinguishing slavery in the
South Their sweeping generalities. that the Gov
ernment could not endure with country half slave
and half free, and that there was necessary con.
tiict whether freemen should cultivate the fields of
the South or slaves till those Of the North, was the
rhetoric OF the hustings on which they were can
vassing for freeso votes But this rhetoric had its
effect in influencing, if not forming public opinion
among the masses and as often happens, those who
blow up fame are unable to blow It out regard
war OF the Government of the United States upon
the seeded States, therefore, with the design of
compelling their submission to the laws and return
10 the Union as in its consequence, war upon the
institutions of the Southern States in general
Inc course Of the President has compelled Virgin.
ia to sever her connection with the Union, contrary
to what had seemed to be the wishes Of her people
and leaves North Carolina no other alternative but
to take the same step. Indeed from the action of
Virginia and that Of the other States on our limits
TINS severance is now but matter of FORM Ten.
nessee being the only coterminous State which has
not declared her separation. We must therefore
acquiesce in necessity which our best efforts could
not avert, dissolution of the Government of the
United States. The announcement of this fact in
spires in me no feeling but painful Sadness be-
lleve so great a catastrophe to the whole country
and to the world, could have been. ard ought tn
have been prevented and that even now, if the peo
pie OF the two sections whose armies are being mar
shailed IN hostile array, could be allowed to com.
mune together, and compare opinions in calm deb-
eraton if they could not agree on terms of reunion.
could at least devise measures for separation in
peace But let US yield to no feeling of desponden-
cy, but gird our lons for the duties imposed on US
by the present and awaiting us in the future North.
Carolina with only less than million of inhabitants,
with her vast resources for war or for peace. can
readily maintain her position as separate power of
the earth, or as member of any new political or.
ganIzation into which she may enter What condi.
ton IN this respect she may resolve to OCCUPY must
be lett to the future to determine. Her first care at
present must be addressed to the impending war in
which, If it must come she bear no neutral part
but must ally herself with her sister States Of the
South, at least until the recognition of her and their
common independence. Until that is achieved let
US postpone any differences which may separate us
as to the responsibilities and causes Of the present
condition OF affairs and the new agencies for the
taking care of our national interests which we NAV
ma expedient to adopt In expressing these SEN
t'ments have changed no opinions and entertain
no regrets as to the recent action of the people of
the State. l concurred in the decision which they
made. and in my opinion wisely made against the
call OF Convention. And whatever opinion may be
held in relation to its wisdom, it was eminently
decision of the people themselves The Legislature,
the public presses and public men of all parties with
but rare exceptions we're for Convention with no
very clearly defined ideas of what it was to accom-
psh except on the part of those who favored imme.
date secession for then existing causes The peo-
pie regarded the proposed Convention as measure
to effect revolution, and not having exhausted the
means OF reconciliation and peace, which in the sim
cerity OF their love for the Constitution and the
Union, they desired to attempted they rejected
the measure at the polls. But it would be altogcth.
er false Interpretation of that decision to say that
in it there were any sanction or encouragement to
the use of coercve against the States which
had withdrawn. On the contrary, such a course
was universally condemned and pronounced to be
just cause for resistance by the opponents of Con-
vention. Had the dissolution of the Government
resulted from Convention then called and for then
existing causes they would have felt that the blame
might be imputable to themselves. Coming as it
now must from the high handed action of the Pres
ident they feel acquitted from its destruction and
will meet the issue with no doubling hearts The
decision and the delay therefore have placed the
Government of the United States in the wrong and
relieved US from any intestine divisions.
Mr.. Graham made other remarks, on directing our
whole energies to the public defence, and on demon
strating to the world that if we had not been swift
to enter the quarrel we should so bear ourselves in
it, that the opposer may beware of us.-Hillsboro'
Recorder ....
PROTEST OF P. T. HENRY, OF BERTHE County,
fHA >nff IL Sn .oU 1o,.