Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-08-16

they, the old Union men, were sympathizers with
Lincoln, and secretly plotting to reconstruct
the Union One of the organs of this facton-the
Raleigh Register-charged on the eve of the cleo
ton, that the object of the Conservatives or old
Union men of this State, was to deliver the South
into the hands Of Lincoln This paper, in its issue
of the I'd of August, said: ..... ...
Voters of North Carolina do you, doubt now
the end and aim Of Conservatism Do you doubt
that the Conservatives Of the Department of North
Carolina, [Stanly's Department. and the Conserva-
tves of the rest of the State united by the
mon tie of Reconstruction? VIII you not see the
gulf that is yaWning at your feet, and crush out
q party~that seould force you into a union Nth
those Uho are soaging against you the most brutal
toar that the malice Of the devil erer instigated?"
This was no mere electioneering appeal. 1t was
the deliberate sentiment of the writer, and this
charge against the Conservatives constituted one of
the tests in the election.
The people have been appealed to; they have re-
sponded at the ballot-box, and what is that re.
Spouse? They have declared, in their judgment,
that to conserre means to reform and preserve the
government and not charged, to destroy it, to
deliver it into the hands of Lincoln that those who
wish to do this the best friends the government
has that the Conservatives as true to the South
as any among US; that the prescription against
them shall cease; that favoritSm and partyism in
the government shall give place to patriotism that
the government shall be reformed and shall be con-
Quoted for the benefit of the people, and not for the
benefit of otfice-holders; that our Constitutions,
both State and Confederate, shall be respected and
observed under all circumstances that the military
shall never he allowed IN overrida tho civil
that promotion in the army shall not depend on
family or rty claims, but on seniority and merit
that all useless offices shall be abolished that those
in Office shall be industrious, attentive to their do
ties and civil and respectful to the people, who
their masters and that the war shall be waged
with renewed ygor, and to0ged until the separation
OF the Southern from the Northern States shall be
complete and fnaL These were the principles in
volved in the contest and this is the judgment Of
the people. From this judgment there is no appeal
Those who question it factonists, and those who
denounce it and attempt to thwart its operation, are
enemies to the State, to the South, and to the pub
lie repose and safety.
Such is the meaning and the moral Of the most
signal political victory ever achieved in this State
1t was achieved mainly by tho people, The poti-
clans had but little to do with it. 1t was spon-
taneous uprising against injustice, and in favor of
reform 1t has occurred, too in the midst of great
war, which is absorbing public attention and max
ing large demands on our resources; and it has
Cured most OPPORTUNITY, for since the dissolution
of the Union, no incOnSiderable number among US
have been inclined to doubt the capacity of peo
pie for selfgovernment, and have been calling for
ctr IN
The RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO GOVERN was inscribed
on all the banners of the Conservative masses in
every portion Of the State and most signaly and
nobly have the people themselves asserted and vim
Dictated this right. 1t was charged by our oppo-
nents that dividing and diStracting the peo-
pie in the midst of war. This charge, like others,
is shown to be unfounded. Instead Of dividing the
Conservatives have united the people ard in proof
of this point to the INN majority for Colonel
Vance, and to the fact that the Legislature is Con-
sentative by two to one Many of the honest early
secesSnnists united with the Conservatives in this
movement, which has delivered the State from mis-
rule and partyism, and made our people as much
unit as they were when the commenced.
1t remains for US only to add, that as the judg,
ment of the people is that the Conservatives shall
be clothed with power, and as they will be respon-
sblc for the manner in which this power is exercs-
ed, it will be their right and their duty to select
their agents in the administration OF public az
fairs We believe they will select the best and
truest men, without regard to party; but oppo-
nents have been so selfish and proScriptive that
many elections and appointments must be made,
before the Conservatives are placed on an equal
footing with them ard besides, those in Office who
have abused their trusts, or shown themselves in
competent VITO have either joined in -or encour-
aged the cry that the Conservatives traitors to
their section if they do not consult their self
respect and voluntarily retire. must expect to be
consigned to private life.