Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-07-30
The Charlotte Democrat-Mr. Johnston.

1t is well known that the Charlotte Democrat and
other Stalled papers, are pressing Mr. Johnston's
claims for Governor on the ground that he was an
old line Wing and opposed to secession up to the
Peace Conference and, some Of them aver, up to
Lincoln's proclamation. Now, have the proof
from the pen of the Editor of the Democrat him.
SELF that Mr.. Johnston was for immediate seces-
sion in February, 1861 and that this account,
the Editor of the Democrat refused to support him
for the State Convention. The following is from the
Charlotte Democrat of February, 1861:
at will be seen by the proceedings in another
column, that County Convention of those in favor
Of the immediate secession of North Carolina, have
nominated Hon. j. w. Osborne and Wm Johnston,
Esq., as candidates for the State Convention. 1t
will also be seen that they pledged to o for Sc
ceSSion, without reservations Of any kind. Until
recently both gentlemen were what might be call
ed strongly conservative" We knouo Mr.. John
ston was, and think Mr.. Osborne was also.
We do not intend that any one shall be left in
doubt as to our position and therefore say now,
that we shall not vote for either Of the above named
gentlemen. We suppose this announcement will
ALLEVIATE and offend many of our former friends. We
shall regret that though cannot help II, for we
had rather be honest and candid than to retain their
friendship or be on what seems to be the popular
side in this community. We occupy the same po-
ment of the difficulties, viz: that unless the Black
Republican party were willing TO agree to an hon.
orabe ad ustment and make proper concessions,
North Carolina ought to Secede; and we say now
that unless the aspect of affairs is changed between
now and the meeting of the Convention, we :hlnk
secession ordinance should be passed But no one
knows what may occur between now and the meet
ing of the Convention, Ia month hence and there
fore unwilling to vote for candidates pledged
to a particular course of action in advance.
So it seems that month before the February
Convention was to have assembled, Mr. Johnston
was in favor of secession. 1t was about this time
that he denounced the people of Iredell and Gull
ford as submissionsts and declared that if the peo
pie of the State voted against seeding in February,
he aoould not submit to their decision How can any
man who was for the Union in February, 1861, vote
for Mr.. Johnston? How can any man who was for
exhausting all honorable means to avoid dsunion
and war, vote for Mr. Johnston? How can any man
who respects the popular will, and who holds that
the voice of the people, when uttered, should be
obeyed, vote for Mr.. Johnston? How can any man
who does not approve the precipitate action OF
South Carolina, in dissoving the Union in Decem-
Der, 1850, vote for Mr. Johnston? Why, he was so
rabid seccssionist in February, 1861, that even
the Editor of the Charlotte Democrat could not sup
port him.
Show the above extract to your neighbors, and
let them see for themselves that Mr.. Johnston was
for toar and 6loOdshed in February, 1861, when two
thirds of the people for peace and an honora-
bic adjustment of our difficulties. Aye, for 'oar
and 6Loodshed when such men Rufin, and More
head and Vance, and Graham, and Brown and
Badger, and thousands of our best men were for
peace on honorable terms. Mr.. Johnston was for
tcar long before the people of the State were but
he leaves Vance and others to do the fighting