Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-06-28

TOT some little yielding OF your stern policy. How
many arms wouldbe outstretched, how many hearts
would bound to give a welcome home again" to
the war,stained volunteer. Oh, sir those meetings
at the cottage Threshold those claspngs at the farm
house porch, those cleavlngs of the throbbing
bosoms OF women to Scared and manly breasts were
worth all the laurels that were ever snatched from
blood stained fields The news of our victories has
been hailed with paeans and illumination but with
the first tdngs of peace, there is not howell in the
land that would not have candle at its window,
not palace that would hot blaze with spendors III
token of the advent of blessing priceless beyond
AL earthly trumphs.
Then sir let US lower the points of our victorious
swords, and parley with the Zoe while the bugle
blasts of victory are yet ringing in our ears. five
are free in anticipation from the peril OF future re-
verses; IT we are sanguine that the Federal arms
are hencciorward gifted with inyncibility, that is
the modest reason why we should say to our oppo-
nents, pause, if you will reflect" Let US yield
them one chance for recOncilement before we drive
them to the resistance of despair. There can be
no victory where kith and kin, where brothers and
fellow-countrymen, where men who are bound to
each other 10y the hottest of past associations, are
struggling for supremacy. All is defeat; all is dis
aster all is misfortune, tears and mourning. Do
not let us etface with blood every sacred memory
that may yet bind these men to us as brothers.
CIIve one sign of invitation before the death strug
Gle be renewed. Let the spirit of forgiveness pass
between the lines OF those opposing hosts, and with
the blessings of Providence, those armed legons
will take lesson from Sabinia and early Rome,
whose soldiers, united by domestic ties threw down
their weapons upon the battles verge, and Sprang
to each others embrace
Sir, have spoken freely, studying only to make
my words an index to my thought. My opinions
have brought upon me the censure, often most dis
courteOusIy expressed, ofmany who differ with me;
but for that care bit little. | am content to bide
the hour that shall set me right before my country
Ac hoe hnlia hn of m
to be widening of the gulf that separates the
sections, L have earnestly opposed it / have al
ways looked upon The subugation of the South as
project whose fulfillment would strike heavy,
perhaps fatal, blow to true repubIcaniSm, and al
though will yield to 10 man in devotion to the
Union-although would make any and every per
Sonal sacrifice to restore its glory and integrity
will never consent for the sake OF that Union,
to yield up my birthright q freeman; to sacrifice
those principles Of self government those rights OF
free speech, free thought, and personal liberty,
without WHICH Union Is but m0ckerS and a name
1t lS.nOt grandeur and extent of territory that |
cDvet the chief attributes of the Government I'M
der when am to 1--we. Were one of but single
community, insignificant in numbers but secure IN
the guarantee Of pure Republican administration OF
affairs, would be proud of my citizenship. But the
UNION Of Il Thousand States each one great and
populOuS "a the noble one among whose representa-
tlyrS | bavc the honor To be, | would deteSt-ScS,
ST. IN my most Utmost heart deteSt If the holding
toeetner OF component parts should create
silly for the assumption of deSpOtic power.
Sell government Is the god Of my political IdOll-
try, and The Union Is but u temple in which have
wOrSrupped 1t. Saould that temple be destroyed, |
would not ,nrSakc the creed, nor would the mighty
prime pie bc bIrcd III the ruins. | love and would
preserve the temple for beneath Its roof gathered
the treasures OF molly past ASSOCIATIONS; upon its
hlOwed walls arc inscribed the names OF patriots,
from the North aud from the South, whose blood
has been Its cement But rather would have the
glorious fabric crumblc to the dust, than the
spirit of dcSpUtsm enshTined within its sacred pre-
cuIctS.
have seen already the silent but lengthcning
shadow of anSolutIsm creeping INTO the spot. And
when the Executive hand fOT the first time in our
history Was interpOSed between the citizen and his
rights, the germ planted of danger mightier
than rebellion in It's most gigantic phase for be-
hCve CT crOachmentS BY an Executive to be in itself
rebellion against the only sovereignty | acknow-
lcasc-the majesty Of the people. | believe each
step towards abSolutsm to be more fatal to the WEI.
fare OF the Republic than any possible act within
the power Of the citizen 10 conceive and execute
| will resist every grasp thasmay be made upon an
attribute Of sovereignty not heretofore acknowledg
cd to the Chief Magstracy for and instinct,
no less than the fearful examples that history has
furnished from the ashes of republics teach that
the first STEP unchecked will not be the last but
only the precursor of those giant strides by which,
over the necks of b. trayed Ieemen, ambitious men
have mounted to throne.
We want UniUn, sir, of SovereignS, not Of sub
jectS and that Government shall extend over
vast area to me is of less moment than that it
should be purely strictly and unequivOcally rcpub
lican, at all times and under ali conditions.
Sir, have done | have only to reiterate my
hoPe and my entreaty that this Congress- which has
in sacred charge the welfare of our country, will
adopt some measure which may bring about ces
satOn of hoStilitcS with view to negotiation.-
That done, | ain firm IN my belief that hostilIties
will not be resumed