The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-02-24


ing that the course of the Raleigh Standard was in
the request of that paper but the Standard has
eyaded reply to that article. and now takes new
start on another subject. constitutional liberty
&c. Politician like. the STANDARD lodges when
brought to the point where he viii have to change
his base,'' 'fess up, or acknowledge the error OF
his course.
The Standard says that are "DestructiVe.
Don't that paper know that such assertion Is IN
true! We prefer to be respectful in discussions
with the Standard and all other papers, and try not
to misrepresent any ones position; but we do not
intend to be misrepresented ourself, therefore we
hope the Standard will not apply the term destruc-
tive to again. Neither we nor those puohc
men whose approve and commend are
"destructives.' We are for preserving the UNITY
of the southern people especially in time OF war ana
opposed to dividing them into contendng factions'
and for this reason have condemned the course or
the Standard. How can the people of this State De
expected to remain united and assist the Stare ana
Confederate authorities in successful effort 10
prosecute the war, and keep our brutal and savage
enemies from devastating the country, while the
Standard is denouncing southern men and accusing
them of bringing the war, finding fault with the
constituted authorities in manner calculated to
array the feelings of the people against the Govern
ment, and always talking about the unconsttution-
atty of the Conscrpt lava measure which Gov
VANCE declared had saved the country and patroti-
cally and properly enforcesl If the course of the
Standard is indicative of conservative" principles
we pray that the country may be saved from the
influence of such principles. While Gov. Vance,
like true southern man. is trying to enforce the
Conscrpt law in this State and arrest deserters the
people in some sections quote the Standard to show
that the law and the war is wrong. and therefore
they ought not to be required to enter the service.
In this way the course of the Standard is doing harm
and iniuring the Confederate cause.
The Standard seems to consider itself the pecu-
liar uardian of Constitutional liberty i'll this State,
and hence its growlings and mutterngs. Other pa
pers are thought to be as good friends of the rights
of the people as the Raleigh Standard, but they
lack great deal of initiating the of that
paper. There is the Fayetteville Observer, the
Salisbury Waterman, and other oldline wing papers
that were strong for the Union in former deys while
the Standard was for secession-but they not
now forever denouncing lori nal secessonists y,
and finding fault with and abusing the Confederate
authorities Why does the Raleigh Standard as
sumo to itself the peculiar duty of doing soit does
good, but much harm results from such q course.
We suggest to the Standard to think about it calm
y and see if it will not be best to change its
and not keep in such bad humor.
We repeat, that we do not want to engage in any
discussions for party purposes-we have no spite
to yentilate favorites to promote to office, and
no enemies to punish-but if the STANDARD again
requests it, we will give several more reasons why
its is considered injurious to the cause of
the South. In the meantime suggest that it
would be much better for the Standard to keep its
political and party feelings and spite in check and
its wrath bottled up until after the war, then let out
if its taste is still in that direction.