Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-11-26
The Duty of the Conservatives.

When the present unhappy war was begun,
though our people had been thoroughly and even
bitterly divided as to the causes that led to it. the
Conservatives of the State came forward as man
and laid their prejudces and dslikes on the altar
of the country, and proposed to the Destructves to
forget the past and labor together against the COM
mon enemy. The proposition appeared for the mo.
ment to have been accepted, and for brief space
union and harmony prevailed among u.s. But the
Destructives we're then in power, and their love of
Office was stronger than their love of country
Though the Conservatives sent more men to the
field than they did, and expended more money than
they in equppiug and furnishing the troops yet
as general rule they prescribed from all po-
sitons Of honor and trust aud at last plainly told
that as they did not originate the revolution it
their business to fight it on foot and that the origi
nators of the movement alone entitled to lead !
in and conduct it. The members of the Military |
Board, Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels Majors, Cap
taius, Lieutcnants Dri!imasters, Judges, Railroad
Directors and officers of all kinds, Chaplains in
the army appointed, not for their merits or on
account of their peculiar fitness for their places but
because they had been original secessionists. This
was bad enough; but bad as it was, it might have
been endured if our opponents had not gone further
and endeavorel to place upon us "hiaeous mark"
as traitors to country. But forbearancc on the
part of the people at length ceased to be virtue
They rose, in sefdeence, and hurled the secession
lists from power. They did this in defence of them
selves and their country. The election of Governor
Vance and Conservative Legislature was not only
rebuke to the Destructives, butit aoas the e1pres-
sion Of rish on the part Of the people hat thence
yar;h Conservative men should be plnced in office,
and Conservative principles and counsets shouM d.
rect the ship Of State Who so blind as not to per-
ceve this ?-and who, perceivng IL, SO bold as 10
set up his judgment against the peoples judgment!
Gov. Vance will meet and more than meet the
Just expectations Of the people, if he is only sur
rounded by the Legislature with Conservative men
like himself. To refuse to surround HIM with sueh
men, but on the contrary, to place about him those
who voted against him, and sought to defeat him.
l. .nd oined in the effort whether actively or passive
" to mt the "hideous mark " on him and his
s. friends, would be in fact to abandon Conservative
principles and to declare to the world that 'he e
cent struggle by the people to oust the Destruc'es
and to reform the government, was not ohy u''''
cessary. but mockery of popular elections. lhos'
. who opposed his election, and maisned HIM ana h'S
- friends would rejoice at the failure of his admins
ration. and, if placed in Office around him. "ou''
20 lose no opportunity t. em5arrasS h'm' I''e''a,
a., rscort events admoniSh the Conservatives to u
On their ruard-to give but little II any heea 10 Ss
,ost;ons which come from their opponents, ana
o.o,n;ze themselves Thoroughly. If there oe thos
~ ,o, nc 9TH, arc too tender footed to tread ooiu'
in the path of duty let them take some o'her Paii
To answer for it to the people. The time has al
= rived, in our humble OPINION when the CONSERVE
~ tiyes must organize and assume the con'ro Oh P'''
. lie affairs in every department. or d's'"""!
" hesitate or tenporize is to disband. There Is o'
one course and that Is, to vote out every ina" WI
" ;s not hnoun to he true, and to vote IN Conserv
,;ra. Let this be done, and word for it all IL
people will say, amen!
The Conservative party is composed OF the crea
ers of the TWO 81 parties and that wh'ch Is
es- it is skinned milk, and very blue az mat
lin take it for granted that justice Will DC ao'e a''
it Conservatives to old line Democrats as We'll as
ons line Wings So far as we are cohcerheo' We "ss
the no office and We have no flvorcs 10 press 'o 'h'
are. We are in a condition, therefore, 70 spe'N pam
Justice and equality constitute, IN thlS respe'''
of surest guarantee for future harmony. lh'se "
tho .o.,,ot;res who were once Democrats, were
scribed by their former associates because 'nsS w
cor true men, and opposed to dsunon and civil war;
self Old Wings who are no" 0""se,'""''o Z
-;hoa hv their associates for the same cause;
the two are now one in sentiment anu ae''''
OF believe they will continue to be one ana ..a''
was getting past party differences and party s'reS'
ased will do Justice to each other in all things
IT to .;o1 ~ b;s