Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-07-23
From the n c. Standard Oct 90, 1884,
LETTER FROM HENRY w. MILLER, ESQ.
RAIRrGu Oct 10 1881

From The N. u. STANDARD, Oct %, 1881
LETTER FROM HENRY W. MILLER ESQ.
RALEIGH, Oct ~, 1861.
MY DEAR SIR:-Yours of the 9Th inst, inquiring
whether am a candidate for Congress in this Dis
trict, has been received. I am not a cGndidate.-
The reasons which induced me to decline the solicit
tations of many voters of the district, to become a
candidate were regarded satisfactory by those to
whom have had an opportunity to communicate
them.
In April last about week after Mr. Branch and
myself commenced the canvass for seat in the old
Congress, the tyrannical proclamation of Lincoln
made its appearance l regarded it as an open
declaration Of war against the South, and at once
withdrew, as did my competitor, and urged prompt
resistance with all the means that God and nature
had placed in our power" and a rcsolute, united
blow for the Independence of the Soath, the only
course which could save us from subugatiol' and
tyranny. 1t just source of patriotic pride to
every North Carolinan, that our people were pre-
pared, in mind and heart for the crsis-and met it
with that promptness, unanimity and courage, which
proclaimed to the despotc and unprincipled rulers
at Washington City, that n0u, as in the days Of
the Revolution they are, in opposition 10 tyranny
and wrong, "the most rebellions people in Ameri-
Ca" l thought then, and so expressed myself that
in the face of the declared purposes Of Lincon's
government it behoOved us-in fact that it was
our plain bounden duty if true to ourselves andour
State to bury all past political differences and ami
mosities, and stand shoulder to shoulder as band
Of brothers, in defence Of our rights and homes
Every day that has since passed has only confirmed
me In the opinion that such union of sentiment and
concentration of effort necessary for our success
This is not the time to indulge in political bicker
ings or party rivaries to encourage the selfish
purposes OF personal ambition In the presence of
the great and glorious work before u.s. such things
sink into insgnifcance and degrade even still more
the man who Is mean enough to countenance or
nurture them. The inquiry now should be, not
was he Wing, ora Democrat, or a Seeessionist or
Onon"t-but is he true to the cause? Is he
ready to pledge Ibis life, his fortune, his honor,
as our fathers did, to the cause Of Independence p?
If he is then with me, at least it makes no diff.
ference under what political flag he may have raj.
lied, in times gone by,-he is worthy Of all conf.
dence and is entitled in this great struggle to the
position for which his abilities and merits be6t him.
The history Of the civilized world cannot furnish
parallel, in iniquity and barbarity, to the wa,
winch the Northern government is now wsgine
against our people. The despotic acts of that gov
eminent would carry any crowned head of the mos
ao,ect nation Of Europe to the block, The suspen
SIGN OF the hd6eas corpus-the Imprisonment o.
patriotc men OF high moral and intellectual worth
lor the mere expression Of political opinions RICH
guaranteed 70 them, in express ter,ns by the Con
s'tution upon winch that government processes t.
n
press-the cruel and savage incafceration Of eve,
women and children who were suspected of symna
thising with their friends and kindred of the South
the brutal outrages committed 10y their hirelin
soioiery, upon our people, without regard 10 age a
sexIthe ruthless and iron-hearted TYRANNY
wn,en the gallant State ofMaryland is now insutc
anu trodden DOWNFALL this, and much more eauall
a',osous, admonish, soarn us trumpct-tongu
wnat VIII De our fate, if the vile and lawless pu
poses VI .1at government are carried out Beyor
question: the very contemplation Of the remotest nos
bility of such destiny, is enonyh to arouse spo,
heart and nerve every arm in the South IN an a.
ergy and valor as unconsuerable as the shirt If h.
own immortal washington, and rs firm as her mon
tain cliffs " ~ "e' n''u
But We entertain no such fear, W. ,s
privations-we may be subjected to- revar:es s ".
may see our brothers and our sons s;cLon Nd !
under disease, fall on the battle field nor-;n -
their life-blood in defence of all we hold Ssan -
conquered, WE ARE RESOLVED NEVER TO mi
trials and dangers thicken, the arms of our peon
will become stronger, and their hearts more resoIp
and invincible. What ~e have once done, if true
ourselves, we can do again. Already have our
mics given the enemy "assurauce doubly sure ,"
what brave people, contending in lust cause, .
soie 70 achieve-and We can but trust that Beth
MANASSAS. Springfield and Lexington, will be beac
ngns 70 lead our gallant soldiers to still mt
r;sa nen le. Us bury past political Differences IS
ensr.;oS ~ nns 70 the cause7-devote our VIII
aon Of the war-stand BY the rcvsrgmsnt ;s s
s 70 effect our ,deliveranes fror, S. -, 10
ie.Sss. than Egyptian bondage ths p.,1.
saw oi our armies-contribuie on III A - sea.a
diess., los the comfort and support Of 90, 81 NEG
'af powder dry" and trust In I