Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-12-24
For the Standard
REV. r. j. GRAVES.

For the Standard.
REV. R. J. GRAVES.
Editor Of the Raleigh Standard
The arrest and confinement in Castle Thunder
by the Confederate authorities of the Rev. Robert
J. Graves, of Oaks, Orange county, N. c., has been
noticed in your columns. Your remarks upon that
arbitrary arrest conceive to have been very ap-
propriate and sufficient The Raleigh Register,
however, has thought proper, in its wisdom, to
make an attack upon that gentleman which feel
called upon to notice.
have had the pleasure of an intimate, con6den-
tial acquaintance with Mr.. Graves for many years.
During the last four years an almost uninterrupted
correspondence has been carried on between u.s.
Hence it is that feel authorized to consider myself
proper exponent of his sentiments.
Mr.: Graves is an Englishman by birth. At an
early age he emigrated to Virginia and settled in
Alexandra in that State Desiring to perfect him
self in his literary course he entered William and
Mary College, where he graduated with the highest
honors. In his graduating Grafton he satarized
with powerful effect the political philosophy Of New
England. Determining to enter the ministry he
connected himself in 1857 with the Union Theolo-
gical Seminary, Prince Edward county, Virginia,
where a few years afterwards he was ordained to
the Presbyterian ministry. Accepting Call made
for his service, he removed to North Carolina
where by bis Christian walk and conversation he has
made himself an idol with the people,
The Register considers two acts Of bis suspi-
cious-his visit North and the letter published in
the Richmond Enquirer. In relation to the first
Of these acts, will premise, by saying, that for
number Of years Mr.. Graves has, suffered very Sc
verely from an affection of the throat Some months
since his physicians advised him to proceed North,
they assuring him that resort to the knife was the
only possible cure for the malady under which he
was laboring. Acting upon this advice, and having
procured the necessary passports, he started upon
his journey. For four days he was kept IN close
confinement in McClellan's guard house. the Pro-
vost Marshal valnly endeavoring to extort from
him the oath, to which he ever proudly replied Il
owe allegiance alone to the Confederate States y
From here he was carried to Rip Raps where he re-
manned for three weeks, enduring all the discomfors
of malefactor. At last through the intercession
the ground of humanity, Gen. Dix permitted him
to prosecute his journey. At the North he met
many friends Of the South, orwhose hospitable kind
ness he feels himself under many obligations and
of whom he proudly boasts Having accomplished
the object of his mission he returns home and en-
tiers gu. city upon the duties of the pastorate
But he wrote after his return ian extraordinary
letter" to the Richmond Enquirer, says the Regis.
ter. If there is anything in that letter of trea.
sonable nature | have not been able to make the
discovery. Is it treason to sound the alarm when
the enemy is stealthy approaching our gates p
is it treason to say that the enemy is determined
blood. thirsty obdurate ?-s it treason to say that
the North are preparing for another relentless and
determined effort for our destruction No; it is the
very essence of patriotism. Let rather call that
man traitor who, whilst our enemy is busy in
preparing the instruments for death, would lull
our government and our people into repose by syren
songs of peace Had such articles. the one writ.
ten by Mr.. Graves and published by authority,
dot tha fofp uhsv hoop
broadcast over the land, Donelson, Roanoke and
New Orleans would never have been reared as ever.
lasting monuments to the stupidity and negligence
Of Benz. Huger and Judah P. Benjamin. The gath.
ering folds of the anaconda, he draws his tight
enng grasp about the nation and calls each reemen
to the rescue, gives us the assurance that Mr..
Graves letter rather proves him to be man of pro-
phetic wisdom. A. w. w.
Petersburg Va, Dec 18th, 1852.