Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-04-23
The Register and Gov. Graham.

Inc Editor of the Register Is resorllng W 'ho
files of the Standard in 1885, for NE purpose Oh
showing what we then thought and said OF 9oV
Graham. We shall not characterize the litteness
OF such conduct, but leave it to DO judged of by
the public; nor shall we dwell upon the fact that
the Register is thus making an insdous attack on
Gov Graham, for there is no need of proof that the
Editor is bitterly hostile to that genteman-hs
protestatons to the contrary Notwithstanding
it is remembered that during the last session of the
Convention he attempted to ridicule him by assign
ing him the position of "stage manager" in that
body. His professions of respect for Gov. G. are
purely mercenary He still retains a few subscri-
bers, who if he were to assail Gov G. openly,
would stop his paper; and be is, therefore, only re-
strained by the consideration of few dollars.
Now, 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 we did him injustice and
We hereby retract it. If we denied that he pos
sessed superior talents a 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, VIC labored together
to direct it. In our intercourse with him. and from
close observation of his course for more than
twelve months, We have come to the conclusion that
he is among the purest ablest and best public men
in the State and instead of thinking of the past,
or endeavoring to maintain our own consistency at
the expense Of truth and justice, we have frankly
announced this conclusion and acted upon it. What
then? Have We acted dshonorably? Is it dishon-
orable 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"
our neighbor is, ''with heart unknowing how to
yield" There are 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 in
atmosphere above party, where we can see men and
things as they really are The Editor Of the Reg
istsr never and never will be in such an at
mosphere. His mind is too narrow, and his heart
is too full OF "malice and all uncharitabeness" 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 he considered us-only as a temporary
movement to check disunion. We felt at the time
that he was unequal to the OCCASION and that Prov
i6ence intended that his feet should be pulled
from the party mre; but we did not tell him So
You might as well dart straws against the wind as
reason with bgot.
So far as consistency is concerned we might take
up the files of the Petersburg Inteuigencer and
Raleigh Register and produce roars of laughter at
the expense of our neighbor During the last fifteen
years he has assumed many dresses as the clown
in the circus, and turned many somersets as q
performer on a spring board; the difference being
that the clown admits his changes, and the per-
former is proud of his somersets, while our neigh
Dor denies his, and declares himself the most con-
slstent being in the world. He reminds US of the
man who said his horse was seventeen feet high.
Ibid you say teet9" asked by-stander; "you must
have meant hands" "Hands"-replied the man ;
ibid says hands or teet'" "You said feet"
"Then feet it was" he replied, land no one shall
say it was not feet"
Our neighbours statements about our having been
thought" and "sold" amount to nothing. No
decent or respectable person believes them. We
bought our Office and paid for it; it was not bid
off for US by another. We are absolutely indepen-
dent in what We print, and always have been. No
monied influence has ever controlled our action.
We are the peoples organ, and not the mouthpece
of clique, or a faction, or a corporation But the
Editor and ourself appear to some extent to have
exchanged places. Many of his former friends are
now our friends, and many of our former friends
are now his friends Has he turned Democrat? II
so, who bought him, and how many "pieces Of
silver" did he get for himself2 But he will say he
is not Democrat and we will say not a
Wing; and if this be SO, then neither of US has
been "Sold."