Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-08-11
The caswen Destructiyes.

managed by Mr.. John Kerr, resolved among other
things that in its opinion the Editor of the Standard
is untrue to the South. This is mere assertion
From the moment our people determined to seceoe
up to the present, We have given an unwaVering
support to the war. We voted in the Convention
for men and means to defend the State; we nave
advocated in this journal all necessary war meas
ures we have appealed to deserters to return 10
their regiments; we have encouraged our young
men to volunteer; we have sustained every meas
ure deemed necessary to strengthen the puollc
credit; and generally and specially, We have iaoor
ed in common with our fellow. citizens to secure the
independent existence of the Confederate States
Is there any treason in thatH We have reJolced
when victory has perched on our banners, ana We
have mourned when disasters have befallen our
arms Is there any treason in that? No, our trea-
son consists in having demanded the rights OF our
State-in having resisted arbitrary power, as shown
in a disposition to override our Courts-in having
vindcated civil liberty against the assaults of mill
tary power, and in having expressed the opinion
that it was proper, while the fight was going on, TO
endeavor to end this bloody civil war by nego-
tiations. We have been true TO our State-true to
the people at home and to our brave soldiers in the
field and for this we are denounced as traitor
We confess that we desire peace, but we would have
it only on honorable terms. But the voice of the
knightly and puissant Mr.. Kerr is "still for war
Like Samson, he would slay his thousands with the
jaw.bone of an ass but, unlike Samson, he does
his Staying at safe distance from the enemy. He
denounces as traitors all who nOW favor recon-
struction of the Union" Is that intended to leave
the inference that Mr.. Kerr may be reconstruc
zionist three months hence? We should not be
surprised if he should be-and then, we suppose,
he will denounce traitors all who may differ with
him, as he does now.
Our answer in brief to all these imputations on
our loyalty is as follows We a citizen Of and
attached to, the Confederate States. But we were
a citizen of North Carolina before we a citizen
of the Confederate States We intend to stand by
the latter long it is to the interest of North
Carolina to do so, and no longer. A man who is
true to his State cannot be false to himself; q man
who true to himself be false to any other
man." And we have TO hesitation in saying, that
while we are true Confederate, such is our atfec
ton for North Carolina that in comparison with
this affection our attachment to the Confederate
States is mere abstraction. "If this be treason,
make the most of it" This is the key which un-
locks the secret-if there be any secret in t-of
whole course.
We have good authority for saying that three
fourths of the people of Caswell County are oppo.
" meeUItIg a large crowd OF people was
present in Yanceyville, having assembled for the
enrolment OF the home guard and many of them
were present at the meeting as mere spectators :;
but We learn that only eight or ten voted on the
resolutions. large majority of the people of Cas-
well regard the meeting as a selfish movement on
the part of Mr.. Kerr, and as direct attempt to
put dOUn the liberty Of the presto suppress pop
uIar and State rights and to inGxgurate military
despOtisua This bold bad man has recently been
visiting Richmond, no doubt begging for office; and
his expectation is to commend himself to tie au-
thorties there by vfying and traducing the Edi-
tor of the Standard. Reckless in principle and
desperate in circumstances, he is endeavoring to
float into position on the tide of revolution, by aid
ing in bringing about reign of terror, after the
manner of the clubs of Paris in the first French
revolution. A brassy, hashy, sky rocket orator, he
is alike destitute of judgment and elevated moral
principle. During the last ten years he has belong
ed to every party-has betrayed them all, and now
dispenses his gas and devotes the energies of his
impaired intellect to the side which pays him best
The people of Caswell know all this better than we
do They will reject his advice and spurn his leader
ship, as we would deprecate his friendship. We
would rather have him against US than with u.s.
If he were to compliment US, we would exclaim as
Mr.. Jefferson did on a similar occasion, "Oh Lord
what have DONE that the wicked should praise
me?"
The State Journal, in publishing these proceed
ings, makes gross and vile assault, no doubt in
stigated thereto by Mr.. Kerr on the Hon. Bedford
Brown. That paper says Col Brown "dodged"
the meeting referred to- and that he is more than
suspected as a Southern man! 1t also insults
him by telling him heShaS no son in the seryIce.-
Now, in the first place. Col Brown does rot belong
to the lodging" order of public men but if he
had thought proper to go into the meeting and had
raised his voice against the selfish and factious pur
poses of Mr.. Kerr, such are the sentiments of the
people of Caswell, and such their respect for him,
that Mr.. Kerrs meeting would have failed, and
large majority of those present would have turned
upon and denounced the latter.
In the second place, we have no reply to make to
any man, much less irresponsible character like
the Journal, who assais the loyalty of Col Brown
for the reason that his patriotism needs no vndica
ton and in the third place, it is not true that he
has no son in the service. One of his sons, Dr.
Bedford Brown, is Surgeon to brigade; and his
other son. it is we'll known in Caswe is too infirm
in health to undergo the prvations of the service
But oh ingratitude John Kerr "sics" this Eng
lish terrier on Col Brown Several years ago, when
Mr. Kerr wished to be elected to the Legislature his
compliments to Col. Brown in his speeches before
the people of Caswe were most fusome in
their character. Afterwards he betrayed and de-
serted Col Brown as a friend; but the latter, in
spirit of generosity forgot his treachery and when