Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-04-23
The Register and Gov, Graham.

The Editor of the Register is resorting to the
lilies OF the Standard in 1916, for the purpose of
showing what We then thought and said of Gov.
1raham. We shall not characterize the littleness
OF such conduct, but leave it to be Judged of by
the public; nor shall we dwell upon the fact that
the Regsster is thus making an nsidious attack on
ooV araham, for there is no need of proof that the
Editor IS bitterly hostile to that gentleman-hs
protestations to the contrary
1t IS remembered that during the last session of the
Convention he attempted to ridicule him by assign
ing him the position of "stage manage in that
body. His professions of respect for Gov. G. are
purely mercenary. He still retains few subscri.
oers, who, it he were to assail Gov. G. openly,
would stop his paper; and he is, therefore, only re-
strained by the consideration of few dollars.
Nov we admit that We used every word which
the Register has copied from the Standard against
Gov. Graham. We did so in the heats of party
strife, and for party purposes. If we impeached
Gov Graham's patriotism, or honesty, or fidelity to
his State or section then did him injustice, and
we hereby retract it. If we denied that he pos
sessed superior talents as statesman then we were
mistaken. But when the very existence of society
was threatened, in 1860, and when civil war hung
over and fell upon the country Gov. Graham forgot
party, and so did we We labored together to avert
the storm, and, when it came, we labored together
to direct it. In our intercourse with him. and from
a close observation of his course for more than
twelve months, we have come to the conclusion that
he is among the purcst ablest, and best public men
in the State and, instead of thinking of the past,
or endeavoring to maintain own consistency at
the expense of truth and justice, we have frankly
announced this conclusion and acted upon it. What
then? Have We acted dishonorably? Is it dishon-
orabe or unmanly to confess injustice, and do JUS
tice? The mean and the malicious say it is; but
the truthful, the ingenious, the magnanimous and
the candid say it is not. We are not "cursed" as
our neighbor is with heart unknowing how to
yield" There are no passions in our bosom which
blind our eyes to truth and honesty, and which
rankle and consume the heart that INDUCES them,
instead of harming their object. We were honest
when We assailed Gov Graham, and we are honest
now; the only difference being that then we were
! influenced by party prejudice, and noW in an
| atmosphere above party, where we can see men and
things as they really are. The Editor Of the Reg
istsr never was and never will Re in such an at
is too full OF "malice and all unchaItableness to
permit him to ascend to this pure region. Why,
in 1861 when he supported Mr.. Busbee and ourself
| for the Convention, and when all the old parties
had ceased.to exist he could not forget party for
he distinctly stated that he supported us--Demo.
Gratis as ne considered us-only as temporary
movement to check disunion. We felt at the time
that he was unequalto the OCCASION and that Prov
idence intended that his feet should he pulled
from the party mire; but we did not tell him so.
You might as we'll dart straws against the wind as
reason with blgot.
So far consistency is concerned we might take
up the files of the Petersburg InteNigencer and
Raleigh Register, and produce roars of laughter al
the expense Of our neighbor. During the last ffteer
years he has assumed as many dresses as the clowr
in the circus, and turned as many somersets
performer on a spring board; the difference being
that the clown admits his changes, and the per
former is proud Of his somersets, while neigh
Dor denies his, and declares himself the most con
slstent being in the world He reminds us of tn,
man who said his horse was seventeen feet high
did you say .teet9" asked by -stander You mus
have meant hands," "Hands"-replied the man
ibid l says hands or .tsst'" "You said feet
"Then feet it was" he replied, land no one shall
say it was not feet"
Our neighbours statements about our having beef
thought" and "sold" amount to nothing N
decent or respectable person believes them. w
bought our office and paid for it; it was not BIZ
off for US by another. We are absolutely indepen
dent in what we print, and always have been. N
monied influence has ever controlled our action
We are the peoples organ, and not the mouthpiec
of clique, or faction, or a corporation. But tn
Editor and ourself appear to some extent to hav
exchanged places. Many Of his former friends ar
: now our friends, and many of our former friend
are now his friends Has he turned Democratic
, so, who bought him, and how many "pieces c
silver" did he get for himself? But he will say h
, ; is not Democrat, and we will say we are not
Wing; and if this be so, then neither of US ha
been "sold"