Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-09-10
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INAUGURAL ADDRESS
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DJlioere5 in front of tho CLP1t0h I" h''''9S' "F
TENDER Stk, 1869.
Frr1ow. CITIZENS: Called by the voice OF the pee
ole of North Carolina, with an unanlmlty 9HPS
ieled in the history of our State to assume tne
ers of Chief Magistrate in the midst OF rcVolutEu
and war; car but feel oppressed by sense o. tne
great weight of responsibility which the oSths OIL
Office lust administered by our respected Ohlel Jus
tice impose Indeed, there is nuch before me, anu
the path of Ely duty must lead through any lnin9
but pleasant fields and beside still waters 10 holu
the helm during this treat storm-to manage our
increasing public labilities-to search out the talent
and worth of the country and bring it into the SER
vice of the State-to ciothe equip and organize our
troops and to DO Justice to merit on the held might
well appall the statesman with hair grown wnite III
the public service. To confess my inability, ana 10
say that l enter upon the task with trembling,
weuld not be customary atfectation, but the sim
pie truth. But you will bear me witness that
sought not the position. preferred that place IN
oSr armies which | held, as the one in which L
could probably best serve my country. l could
hut saw. however that would be content with the
ueope's will and would serve wherever their voice
should assign me-and here have | been assigned.
In return for this great expression of confidence,
can promise only that bring will and determine
ton to the performance of my duties which no one
can surpaSs
Fellow. citizens, we have but the one, great and
all-absorbing theme The war which we are tight
ing for our liberties and independence is indeed the
sea which receives our every stream OF thought
How it was produced, whether it coaid safely have
been avoided and upon whose shoulders rests the
blame it were worse than idle n0p to enquire. At
the proper time it was discussed, and every argu-
ment pro and con, was given to the people. Sut-
flee it to say that it forced upon US by dom-
nant and eIcroaching majority, and is evidently but
the pent up fires of anatical hatred which have been
accumuating in the North for forty years. The
,ba Hoif ID CfoEoc
federation of independent communities held toSeth-
er by written compact called the constitution.
Of this instrument the very life and soul was the
great axiom "that all governments derive their Just
powers from the consent of the governed" To this
the ancestors of those who now are shedding our
blood together with your forefathers, assented on
the 4th ofJuly, 1776 and the instrument IN which
they set it forth and pledged their lives their for
tunes and their sacred honor" to maintain it, has
rendered their names immortal.
When Abraham Lincoln was elected by the votes
Of the North only, embracing among his support
ers all of the fierce and fanatea enemies of slavery
on the continent several of these independent
States which were eholding, refused their con
sent to administration which threatened to de-
stroy them We, in North Carolina, after fair de-
bate resolved to wait and see, and to trust yet
awhile longer to the safeguards of the Constitution.
In the meantime, implored the North to offer no
violence but to allow the people to resist secession
cussion and public opinion. Many Southern States
followed our example. While thus honestly en-
gagged the mask was thrown off, and our souls were
sickened with proclamation from the President,
calling for 70, 900 men to slaughter our Southern
States into consent" proportlonate share Of
these troops was demanded of North Carolina, who
were thus required in defiance of the first princi-
pies of liberty, to step the State line, and
hand in hand with the scum of Northern cities and
the refuse of degradation to cut the threats of our
kindred and friends
Then, and not TILL then, did controversy cease in
North Carolina. Her and her daughters Of all
shades of political opinion, from the mountain tops
to the everlasting tides of the sea- shocked by the
monstrous proposition, with a wondrous unenimity,
came forward to resist the despotic STEP The del.
egates of her people in convention assembled with.
out one dissenting voice, ordained our separation
from government which had thus at one blow
subVerted the chief ends of its creation and even
before this thousands of our citizens had seized
their arms and were rushing to the border to make
good the patriotic resolve.
This is brief history of our separation from the
government of the United States 1t was not
whim or sudden freak, but the deliberate Judgment
of our people. Any other course would have in
volved the deepest degradation the vilest dishonor
and the direst calamity. We also accepted with the
act all Of its inevitable consequences, long and
bloody war. We were not deceived either BY the
idea of "peacsable secession" or by vain and I'M
manly hopes of foreign protection. We were wide
awake to all the results, and calamity glorously
have our people met them.
For seventeen months has this unequal war pro-
crossed; the many against the few, the powerful
against the weak and yet army after army, as the
sands Of the sea in numbers, led by vaunted Napo-
Icons, and armed from the workshops of Europe
have been hurled back from our Capital with slaugh-
ter and disgrace, by troops, in many cases. ragged
barefooted and armed with the condemned muskets
of the old government! According to their own
reports 100000 soldiers swarned into our borders
desperate with fanatciSm and luStfred by copfisca
ton laws; where are they now? How have we
beaten them back? Skiful Generals and brave
soldiers have undoubtedly fought our battles, but
can we not recognize too the special favour of
Heaven in our great deliverance! The bush has
indeed burned with fire, but is not consumed, be-
cause of the presence of the Living God.
North-Carolna has sent forth near 90 900 men,
and can send many more. Are there any among us
who faint or despair? Oh, my countrymenI have
we any in our midst who still look back to the flesh
pots OF vassalage and for the sake of peace would
leave their children heritage of shame to feed
upon the bitter husks of subjugation? Is there vet
man in the gallant historic State of North Caro-
Una, SO imoedded IN political dogmas as to be I'M
mindful OF the claims of his country-as not to hear
the great blows which are shaking the continent
for him and his children? If So let me ber of him
toudge of the fate that awaits US if vanuuished bv
the manner in which our enemies are waging this
war; as they say, "for the Union as it was and the
Constitution as 1t is" Let him behold the mourn.
fnl professions of gray haired men, women and little
children, in our sister State of Virginia thrust out
OF their homes, because they would not take the
oath OF allegiance, wandering with weary feet and
6eedlng hearts into homeless exile; let him see the
burning homes and desolated fields which mark the
track OF their armies; the murder of unarmed citi
Zens, and, in some instances, of little bows. The
threats agains: the chastity of our sisters in New
Orleans; the well authenticated murder of nrison.
ers taken in battle; and lastly, the attempt to arm
brigades OF African slaves against us, in whose
hands mothers and sisters would find mnrJo,
indeed messenger of relief If all this should fail
to arouse his soul to resistance then indeed is he
dead to every sense of shame, and deaf to his coun
try'S voice.
To prosecute this war with success, there is quit
mich for