Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-07-02
Let North-Carolina Alone

The Richmond Enquirer OF Tuesday last no
doubt by request, comes forward to dictate to the
people of North Carolina as to how they should
vote in August next That paper devotes nearly
two columns to North Carolina politics, and does
gross and manifest injustice to the old Union men
Of this State Its main object is to prejudice and
influence the North Carolina. soldiers around Rich
mond against COL Vance, and thus if possible, de-
feat him for Governor.
North Carolina is a sovereign State, and her peo:
pie not only have the right to govern themselves,
but they are competent to do so. We protest
against all outside interference in our electons and
especially do we protest against Virginia nterfe-
renee, at the moment when not less than twenty
five thousand of our brave solders-more than half
of whom were Union men-arc massed around
Richmond, ready to die Virginia soil for Virginia
fresides. COL Vance, against whom the Enquirer
is endeavoring to prejudice the army and thus OBJ
tain their votes for his opponent, was among the
first to volunteer in this State. He abandoned
seat IN Congress, comfortable home, and the
practice of his profession and hurried to Raleigh as
Captain of one of the first companies raised, having
entered the ranks as private. His regiment was
first assigned to duty near Suffolk, and for months
he stood guard with his brave companions, on Vir-
gnia soil Without any solicitation on his part he
was elected Colonel of the 2Gth regiment; and at
the head Of that regiment he fought through the
battle of Newbern, which was lost by the incompe-
tency and ignorance in military matters of Gen.
Branch, one of the political Richmond Brigadiers
Having fought in that battle for nearly two hours
had G,lJ ofoJ tl,,
retreat Of his men in mastcrly manner to Kinston,
where he remained until within few days since
when he was ordered to Petersburg. With thous:
ands upon thousands of our gallant soldiers, he is
now engaged in keeping the battle from the doors
of the Enquirer and the Enguirer's ncighbors; and
that paper acknowledges his presence and his SER
vices, by joining with those in This State who, for
party purposes, are hunting him down, and brand
ing him and his friends as unsound and disoyal to
the Southern States!
North Carolina, unlike Virginia, seeded from the
old government unanimously and with open doors.
From the beginning of the war to the present hour,
her sons have not regarded State lines but they
have fought the enemy and laid their bones from the
Big Sewell to York river. Her troops drew the first
o1oou VII sui, ih'oS eIo Sou''y -''iS
with rejocings over the Bethel victory. Her troops
(Moores battery drew the first blood which was
shed on South Carolina soil, after she became one
of the Confederate States. At Bull Run, Manas-
sas, Williamsburg, Winchester, and Chickahominy,
scores and hundreds of her soldiers died for South
ern rights; and of those who fell, and those who
remain to contend for freedom on Virginia soil, more
than one half labored with Col. Vance to save the
! Union up to Lincoln's proclamation. Every blow
aimed at him by unscrupulous partizans, falls on
! them, as we'll as on his friends at home. Col.
| Champ Davis was slain near Richmond in the re-
! cent battle He was an Union man as long as Col.
Vance was. A more heroic, gallant gentleman never
lived. Col Vance is Just like him; and it may be
that before this paper reaches those for whom it is
intended he too may have fallen on Virginia soil in
defence of Virginia frcsdes. And yet the Enquirer,
which deprecates party, joins those who for party
purposes, are huntiV him down. and branding him
and his friends as disloyal to the South!
We now say to Virginia and South-Carolins, let
North Carolina alone! She is not "a narrow
strip of land between" you, but sovereign, self:
governing State. She wants Governor of her
own and not one from South Carolina, or one dicta-
ted by Virginia politicians and the government at
Richmond.