Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-12-16
Rev. r. J. Graves.

commits several errors also and in its haste to cast
censure upon an injured citizen, wholly overlooks
the real and most important fact which the case in
wolves Admit, for the sake of argument, that Mr.
Graves is untrue to the South, we contend that the
military or Confederate authorities have no right
nor is there shadow of law for Mr.. Gs. arrest and
removal from the State, or to arrest and remove
any other citizen of the State hence for trial,
on any pretence whatever The Constitution of
the Confederate States and of North Carolina,
have in this, as in many other instances been gross
ly violated. Here lies the ground, and the only
ground of our complaint which the Register and
the faction which supports it is determnedto keep
under veil, or to ignore altogether. We detest,
abhor and war against the Lincoln government, be-
of its despotism, its violation of law and of
the Constitution of the old government Hence we
disapprove and denounce every sembance OF, or ap-
proach to similar despotism in the Confederate
government--which is the best test we can give of
our fidelity to it and our purpose to maintain and
support it.
But the facts in our possession do not implicate
Mr. Graves fidelity to the South, but fully prove
that he is loyal and good citizen. Therefore, for
the sake of the truth of history, and in justice to
Mr. Graves, we lay before the public the following
facts, which we have obtained from an undoubted
source.
Mr.. Graves is not Canadian as the Register as
serts, but was born in England, migrated when
young to Massachusetts, and on attaining his
majority practictd law year or two in Albany, N
Y. His health failing he removed to Virginia, and
entered William and Mary College as student
where he graduated with distinction. He taught
school several years in Alexandria, Va, and then
catered the Union Theological Seminary in Prince
Edward County, Va, studied Divinity, and was
graduated to the ministry Of the Presbyterian
Church soon after which he was called to the pas
torate Of Bethlehem Church, in Orange, where he
has been for nearly three years, useful and high
ly acceptable minister
Private reasons which ought not to be emilia
zoned in a newspaper, but which if known the pub.
lie would fully justify, led Mr. Graves to apply in
July last to the Confederate authorities at Rich
mond for permission to pass our lines to the North.
He left Richmond under flag of truce and on his
arrival at McClellan's headquarters on James river
was Immediately urged to take the oath of ale
glance to the Lincoln government This he per-
emptorily refused to do. He was then kept in q
filthy guardtent for several days, and finally sent
down to the Rip Raps under guard and confined
for two weeks. Finding that he was immovabe in
his purpose not to take the oath of allegiance, Gen.
Dix paroled him and gave him permission to go to
New York to have an operation performed on his
throat by DR.. Green, Of that City, which was one
of the objects of the trip His parole did not per-
NIT him to leave the City until his return, and
while there he conversed freely with many persons
in regard to the war. So strongly did he advocate
the cause of the South learn that on the day he
left the City to return to Fortress Monroe an order
vas issued for his arrest. On his arrival at Fort
ress Monroe he was sent through the lines ria Suf
folk
On Mr.. Graves return to Orange, his friends
called on him to give them his impressions of the
Northern feelings and purposes in regard to the
war. Both publicly and privately he gave frankly
his impressions that the North was united in pros
ecuting the war-would bring forward all its re-
sources, and that our reliance was upon the favor
of Divine Providence and hard fghting,-that at
the North there was liberty, and that any thing
was preferable to the South to subjugation, or any
connection whatever with the North. This was his
uniform testimony.
The letter which was published in the Richmond
Enquirer, was written at the request of WIN. j.
! Bin. ham, Esq, of Orange, whose fidelity to the
South no one can question, and forwarded to the
Enquirer by Mr.. B , with the view of arousing the
South from the lethargy and inaction which Mr.. B.
thought had been was likely to be produced by
the publication ofartcles predicting short war, &C
We assured that Mr.. Graves enjoys the entire
confidence of his congregation, and of those who
know him intimatelys as a devoted friend of the
| South.
| Now, it is probable that our informant derived
/ most of the above facts from Mr.. Graves himself
! and he believes them to be true. Should it turn
out however, that Mr. Graves is traitor, of which
we have not particle of evidence, we shall be as
ready to condemn him any one but we shall still
insist that he IS entitled to fair trial in his own
| State according to law. Mr.. Graham's resolution
demanding his return to the State will be endorsed
| by our people almost unanimously.