Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-07-30

1t is well known that the Charlotte Democrat and
other Stalled papers, are pressing Mr.. Johnston's
claims for Governor on the ground that he was an
old line Wing and opposed to secession up to the
Peace Conference, and as some Of them aver, up to
Lincons proclamation. Now, We have the proof
from the pen of the Editor Of the Democrat him
self, that Mr.. Johnston was for immediate seces-
sion" in February, 1861; and that on this account
the Editor Of the Democrat refused to support him
for the State Convention. The following is from the
Charlotte Democrat Of February, 1861:
alt will be seen by the proceedings in another
column, that County Convention Of those in favor
Of the immediate secession Of North Carolina have
nominated Hon j. W. Osborne and WIN. Johnston,
Esq, as candidates for the State Convention. 1t
will also be that they are pledged to for Sc
ceSsion, without reservations of any kind Until
recently, both gentlemen were what might be call
ed strongly conservative" We knoD Mr.. john
ston was, and we think Mr. Osborne was also.
We do not intend that any one shall be left in
doubt as to POSITION and we therefore say now,
that shall not vote for either of the above named
gentlemen. We suppose this announcement will
ALLEVIATE and offend many of our former friends. We
shall regret that though We cannot help it, for we
had rather be honest and candid than to retain their
side in this community. We occupy the same po-
sition now which we occupied at the cofnsnsnse'
ment of the difficulties. viz that unless the Black
Republican party were willing to agree to an hon.
orable adjustment and make proper concessions,
North Carolina ought to secede; and we say now
that unless the aspect of affairs is changed between
now and the meeting of the Convention, we :hink a
secession ordinance should be passed. But no one
knows what may occur between now and the meet
" CONVpntiOp IN hence there
fore We are unwilling to vote for candidates pledged
to particular course of action in advance"
So it seems that a month before the February
Convention was to have assembled, Mr.. Johnston
was in favor of secession 1t was about this time
that he denounced the people of Iredell and Gull.
ford as submsson,sts and declared that if the peo
pie of the State voted against seeding in February
he wouM not submit to their decision. How can any
man who was for the Union in February, 1861, vote
for Mr. Johnston? How can any man who was fol
exhausting all honorable means to avoid dsunion
and war, vote for Mr.. Johnston? How can any man
who respects the popular will, and who holds that
the voice Of the people, when uttered, should be
obeyed vote for Mr.. Johnston? How can any man
who does not approve the precipitate action Of
South Carolina in dissolving the Union in Decem
Der, 1860, vote for Mr.. Johnston2 Why, he was SC
rabid a secessionist in February, 1861, that even
the Editor of the Charlotte Democrat could not sup
port him.
Show the above extract to your neighbors, and
let them see for themselves that Mr.. Johnston was
for .oar and 6loodshed in February, 1861, when two
thirds of the people were for peace and an honora
BILE adjustment of our difficulties. Aye, for aoa'
and bloodshed when such men as Ruf6n, and More
head, and Vance, and Graham, and Brown, ane
Badger, and thousands of our. best men were to'
peace on honorable terms. Mr.. Johnston was fol
war long before the people of the State were, bu
he leaves Vance and others to do the fighting