Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-08-20

se"ee" W oe virtue. They demonstrated with
their opponents They reminded them that they
were their equals, and they pointed to what they
naa done and were doing in the war, as proof of
'nef noelity to their country. They told their op.
ponents that it was not Office they desired but the
simple admission Of the fact that they were loyal
Southern men; and that if the policy Of prescription
was continued, they would appeal to the people
against It, They were answered by threats of test
oaths and gag laws, and by efforts to prove that
tney' the old Union men, were sympathizers with
Lincoln, and were secretly plotting to reconstruct
tne Union. One of the organs of this faction-the
Raleigh Register-charged on the eve Of the elec-
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
Carolna, lStanlys Department. and the Conserva-
tves OF the rest of the State are united by the COM
mon tie OF reconstruction? Will you not sec the
guy that is yaa0ning at your feet, and crush out
a, party that a'ould force you into union soith
hose soho are oaging against you the most brutal
'oar that the malice of the dsoI ccer 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 balot-box, and what is that re-
sponse? They have declared, in their Judgment
that to conserve means to reform and preserve the
government and not, as charged to destroy it. to
deli into thoh hon ,of T
wish to do this the best friends the government
has, that the Conservatives are as true to the South
as any among US; that the prescription against
them shall cease; that favoritism 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 office eholders; that our Constitutions,
both State and Confederate, shall be respected and
observed under all circumstances; that the military
shall never be allowed to override the civil power
that PROMOTION in the army shall not depend on
family or party claims, but on seniority and merit;
that all useless Offices shall be abolished that those
in Office shall be INDUSTRIOUS attentive to their du-
ties, and civil and respectful to the people, who
their masters; and that the war shall be waged
with renewed vigor and ,oaged until the separation
Of tie Southern from tile 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 appeal.
Those who question it factonists, and those who
denounce it and attempt to thwart its operation,
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 achieved in this State.
1t was achieved mainly by the people The politi-
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 oc-
CURED most opportunely, for since the dissolution
of the Union, no inconsiderable number among US
have been inclined to doubt the capacity of our peo
pie for selfgovernment and have been calling for
strong government to protect property and persons.
| 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 signally and
nobly have the people themselves asserted and vim
dicated this right. 1t was charged by oppo-
nents that we were dividing and disracting 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 imne majority for Colonel
Vance, and to the fact that the Legislature is Con-
servative by two to one. Many of the honest early
secessionists united with the Conservatives in this
movement, which has delivered the State from mis-
rule and partyism, and made our people as much q
~,
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 they will be respon-
slbe for the manner in which this power is exercs-
ed, it will be their right and their duty to select
their own agents in the administration of public af
fairs. We believe they will select the best and
truest men, without regard to party; but oppo-
| nents have been 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 or who have either joined in or encour-
aged the cry that the Conservatives are traitors to
their section If they do not consult their own SELF
respect and voluntarily retire, must expect to be
consigned to private life.
VIcKsBuRG-At last accounts this, which we
shall call our Queen city of the West, still held out
against the Yankees. They are beginning to be-
lieve that Vicksburg is invncible. The noble spirit
which has actuated its citizens and which invigo-
rates our troops, is worthy of any people in their
palmiest days. The same spirit Of resistance and
purpose would have saved New Orleans and Mem
phis and Norfolk to the Confederacy. What can
i alleviate the surrender of New Orleans and Norfolk?
j Nothing but the complete triumph Of our arms and
an honorable peace.
DEsPERArE.-Gen. McCook, of the Federal army,
I showed himself in Tennessee to be an unmitigated
tyrant and barbarian. Some one, stung with resent
ment, about Salem, Ala, short time ago, put an
end to his worthless existence, it seems, by shoot
ing him. At once the YANKEES troops in that sec
| fion eddod tn THAR harharitias hv hnrnino every