Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-10-07

fom Gen. Evans brigade; and have been inform
ed that while this brigade and the regiment of COL
Coquitt of Georgia, were on their way to reinforce
Gen. Johnston, some fifteen handred of these South
Carplilians and Georgans stepped aside Chat
is the expression used in relation to desertions in
other states) to their homes Mississippisns and
Virginians have also desc-ted by hundreds, if not
thousands. Did do all that, Again, for at least
six weeks before my Office was mobbed the clrcula-
ton of the Standard was prohibited in the army OF
Virginia Men were "bdcked" because they
wrote to me approving my course, and some were
punished for reading the Standard, which they OBJ
tanned now and then from friends visiting the camps.
Did desertion cease did it increase during these
six weeks The truth is, North Carolina is 10 b
the scapegoat of the Oenfederacy, and ] am to be
scapegoat to bear the sins of my enemies into the
wilderness But truth, reason, and Justice will yet
prevail have abiding faith in the people Of my
natvs sates and because Ihave this faith in them,
md hold to their right to govern themselves, am
assailed and persecuted.i 71i1 sltc- -,..r-,si j
1t has also been charged that got up the public
meetings in this State 4ino order to detach Cow
Vance from his Conservative friends, and defeat his
reelection for second term. This is utterly I'M.
true. / do not desire the place occupied by that
gentleman. My only wish in regard to Gov: Vance
is that he may retire after his second term with the
confidence of his friends and the plaudits Of his
country. As long as he is true to the principles
: on which he was elected, and as long as he de-
mands and obtains justice for his State, and sees
to it that military despotism does not override
the civil law, I will give to his administration a.
steady, Straightforward manly support cring::
ing support would not give to any man. Inawl
tell the people that have confidence ~ Gov V.nc
believe he is doing she 5est he can under the cir.
cumstances l :nink he has heart for his friends
ana ior h!s country, and that his heart is in the
Igf place bat If, in the vicissitudes still before
US in this revolution or after it. should find my.
self mistaken, shall not hesitate to say So If bis
enemies praise him. he cannot help IT,; and as long
as his friends are satisfied with him, they should
regard this praise the moralist regards hypocri-
sy, as "the tribute which vice pays to virtue" q.
:! am the same Conservative was in 1851, in
1852, and when my Office was .mob5ed. My ene-
mics may destroy my property, and even take my
life but they cannot break my spirit If my friends
think have acted indiscreetly, or that in my deep
resentment for the wrongs heaped on the State, l
have assailed the administration with too much
heat will heed their advice and endeavor to mod
e1ate my tone; but to my enemies concede moth
ing and promise nothing l have strong friends
and bitter enemies. l am proud of it The former
will never desert, and the latter l jefy. 49,
I now declare, as have frequently done that
am sincere and steadast friend of the Confederate
government; and that, whatever may be the
result of the terrible ordea! through which it
is passing, will be among the last to desert it
have striven in my feeble. way to reform its ad.
mnstration SO as to give more efficiency to it, and
thus ensure Its success. If it should succeed,
will rejoice; but if it should perish, the fault viii
not be mine. '" ff
shall issue the Standard regularly hereafter
and I think have right, as a law abiding and
taxpaying citizen of the Confederate States, to ex
pect of Gen. Lee tht he will allow the Standard tt
be read by the privates in the army. -.
- ". ". HOLDEN.
Raleigh, Oct. I, 1868.