Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-07-30
For the Standard.
GOV. CLARK AND THE SALT.

GOS. CLAhh AND LIE DALI.
Well, We may get it, but if it requires energy.
cy shall despair, and will now exchange my share
OF the public lands so often promised by the Wings,
for my share of the public salt l learn the Cover
nor has bought saltwater at the rates of seventy
five cents for the quantity necessary to make q
bushel of salt, and Re intends to boil down the
water, and so supply the people of the State with
salt 1t will not do to rely too much upon the &C.
MUS or promises of the Governor In the words Of
Junius, "As for business, the world yet knows
nothing of his Excellencys talents, unless way
ward, wavering Inconsistency be mark OF genius
and caprice demonstration Of spirit" The people
will not rely too much upon the fertility Of his Ex
cellencys genius, as they have not had the first
proof Of his abilities. 1t may be candid to suppose
that his Exccllency has hitherto voluntarily con-
ceaed his talents, intending to astonish the world
and the Confederacy when they least expect it. with
knowledge Of trade, choice Of expedients, depth
Of resources and supply of salt equal to the neces-
sites and far beyond the hope of the country. He
must exert himself to the full power of his capacity
if he wishes the people to forget that since he has
been in office, no plan has been formed-no system
adhered to-no important measure adopted for the
relief of public credit when the war debt will soon
begin to press so heavily upon them. 1t will take
much salt to keep sweet the remembrance Of his
Exceency's official acts. His agency in the reno
val of Gen. Hill from our coast; his neglect of cur
coast defences; his agency in the appointment Of
Gen. Branch the rsbuke lately given him by the
reappoinsment Of Gen. Hill over the very tsFite,
. :, from s ~ :. :. g 'sssss s.;sss
ted 70 lhe delEnce q the Newbern district NE
knew DE Was not equal to it his allowiht
Branch to fight some 4,000. North Carohhl
against 10000 Of the enemy, when troops had beeh
rendered him, and by him declined. A company
from Fayetteville rendered and one, too, from
Edgecombe. and their services declined by the Gov
crnor, as have heard There were a good many
of the bloods in these companies, and that may &C.
count Tor their being refused.
1t was certainly culpable in the Governor to de.
cline receiving troops, when all are called out from
IL to S5. 1t will take much sale to keep from pu.
treaclion the recollection Of the call Of the militia
after the fall of Roanoke Island and the Governors
denying that Gen. Hill was authorized by him to dc
it. Hills letter, exposing the Governor, was the
cause of his being supplanted by Mr.. Branch
Thousands Of dollars were appropriated 10y the leg
islature for coast defences and one act allowed
the Governor to draw indefinitely upon the rreasu
rer for money for coast defences it for nc
want of money nor men. If the Governors plan o
supplying salt is not irrcvocably fixed lie: Inc sus
gest- to him to employ Governor WinslOw and Gen
Abraham W. Venable as Salt Commissioners
These are men for the times and such lights should
not be put under bushel. The whole people should
feel their talents exerted for salt As Of the
people demand it.
Let me suggest to the Governor to supply sugar
too, tor the people. There some of his oticia
acts that need sweetening, his appointments in the
army, neutrality-suspicious. made with refer
not to talents, but to politics. His being fol
Johnston as his successor will especially need sweet
ening, for Johnston would bring about as muct
ability to the discharge Of his duties, as the Cover
nor, and his administration would be conducted or
the Clark model, after the Clark principle. Wei
God help the people. Gov. Clark was made Gov
ernor by accident-ifthey will voluntarily put John
ston in his place, they will suffer- and they ought to
Yours, FOR VANCE