Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-09-08
For the Standard.

that the great body of the people anxousy dis
posed to hear and weigh every suggestion, plan, or
argument tending to enlghten them as to the best
solution of our present difficulties, and that too,
notwithstanding such abusive epithets as subms-
sionStS towards traitors Ell id Omne genus. have
been taught that it was the part of good man and
reasonable being, to try to things as they really
are and to get at the essential truths Oh all matters,
however unpleasant or humilating such course
: might prove And had thought that the same
rule was applicable to bodies of men and to States
But there not strong to suspect that this
rule has been for many years, to great extent re-
versed in country, and that the assumed or ad-
ventious leaders of our people, have made 1t study
to conceal from them important facts, to exaggerate
existing causes of trouble and to create in their
minds dsquietng apprehensions of future wrongs
and scourges, which, in truth, were only the foul
offsprings of their own distorted imaginatiOns or
selfish and wicked purposes? And how can
country prosper when such men have sway, and
press into their service brilliant and ambitious
men of fanatical tempers and unsound judgments
Now, whether the great movement in which we are
engaged originated from such influences, is matter
of controversy. But of one thing we are assured
The leaders of it told us that we would adopt this
course, the institution of slavery would be preserved
intact; that we would soon enjoy fair delightful
peace, and glorious independence. And now, may
we judge OF a tree by its fruit? Is the institution
now intact or is it likely to be so? And who can
descry the promised peace and independence Andis
it strange that the people should hesitate longer
togve implicit trust to these false prophets
try to take observation for themselves, to see
where we are, and whittier we are drIitns' Sut
forbear to discuss the details of present status
Suffice it to say that we are in the midst Of most
exhausting, desolating; and bloody war, and that
We are urged by most inhamable appeals to press
it until We mplish-what? Why, the indepeu-
dence of all the slave States including Western Vir
ginia, Kentucky and Missouri.
l., ,,,kn - 40 o,,Ai
that whoever shall dare to suggest the propriety
of modifying, negotiating or rece. ng in any par
ticuar in regard TO this huge unde ia Ing, rs to be
abused as poltroon and traitor. IL is true, that
Western Virginia has declared against us, and is
fighting against US; it is true, that Kentucky de-
clares against US, and has sent forth some $4,000
soldiers to meet in deadly strife; it is true, that
Missouri regulates us and our course, fights us on
bloody fields and has decreed by organic action
the emancipation of slavery throughout her bor-
ders; it is true (but forbear to mention truths
that but too palpable and yet are urged to
fight on to the last dollar " and the last man
to effect, our undertaking. But whittier are we
drifting? Either to success or iailure-but failure
may be partial, in construction, or else total,
as in Su'Jugation. But subugation, we are told,
is too horrible to contemplate and in TINS | fully
agree. The idea of subugatlon with its terrible
concOmantS, is too dreadful to be entertained for
a moment, and let US therefore dismiss it And
now, III any nOneSt earnest, thinking CnrlSUan
man shall read this poor effort, with him wish to
reason. Well, We told that must not re
construct, because it would be humilatinS, and
therefore against honor. The humiliation is grant
ed but have yet to learn what true honor is if it
means any more than to do the best We can under
all the circumstances for the good of ourselves, our
posterity, and the great cause Of republican gov
ernment. Every other definition must resolve it.
self into the pride of lifc"
But again, it is said we should not 90 back, be-
cause LincOns government as it is called, is now
an rretrcvable despotISm. 1t is but too true that
Lincoln, with the sanction of his last Congress- has
been guilty Of acts Of high-handed dcspotism-but
is despOtism irretrievably fixed upon the United
States? hope not | must be permitted to be-
lieve that there is enough of true conservatism in
the people there-a suiciency of appreciation and
love in their minds and hearts of the great repub
lican principles of their fathers, TO enable them in
due time, and by the baOtbox, or in some other
suitable way to crush out despotiSm, and to par
ayze the arms of despots. Let us do them justice
though they be our enemies. The last Congress
Sonal elections there turned upon LincOlns ernan-
cipation proclamation, and they returned to their
popular branch, six majority against him and his
measures. And now, suppose the great conserva-
tive masses, North and South, could be combined
against him, where would his des2otism find a
resting place? And l confess, that to me it would
be some temptation to reconstruct if thereby we
could Danish despotism from the new world, and
firmly reestablish great republican principles
Deeply and devotedly do love the South-it is my
home, and it the home OF my fathers but still
better do love pure, republican principles. "'Tis
not that | love Caesar less, but that love Rome
more" And suppose the Northern people cannot
prevent deSpOtism without our ad-what will be
the fruits of our success? With a mighty despot-
ism on the North, divided from us by mere ideal
line thousands of miles long, and another in the
South-Mexico, divided from US by a similar line
how could maintain the integrity of our princ-
pies and our Institutions Would it not be abso-
lutey necessary, at the end of the war; in spite of
our exhausted resources and crushing debt, to es
tablish and maintain standing army of 5000
men, and corresponding navy? And can Tepub
lican liberty live under the pressure of such an ar
my and navyy Oh, my countrymen, whittier are
we driftng2
But must hasten to a conclusion. Twill there
fore notice only one other argument against negc
tatons. 1t is said that we cannot trust the North
ern people-for that, however fair the terms they
might agree to, and however solemn the form Of
guarantee they might give yet they would not hes
itate to violate them all Well Sir, has it come to
this Is there no sense of Shame-no principle OF
honor-no obligation of religion left among them ?
Are the countrymen of Webster, of Pierce, of Sey
mour, of Vallandigham-yea and Of Lincoln, so far
beneath the pale of ordinary humanity and cyiliza-
ton, as that they are incapable Of making any
treaty or compact with ordinary good faith :? All,
Sir, L fear we had more presumption and self |
righteousness in the beginning of this contest and
that we now have more uncharitabencss than be- |
comes Christian people.
But Mr.. Editor, do not advise reconstruction. |
In fact | know not what to favor or propose. l |
have deep and abiding conviction however, that |
our countrymen should hear at least part of the
truth in reference to these great matters. And why
should not rejecting interchange views through
the public pressi Because forsoOth it may en- |
barrass the government or unnerve the army i
Well, is not the government own, and should |
it not be willing to hear from its constituents? At
all events very large portion of have but little
inducement to be silent For it is too notorious |
that our government is of strictly partzan charac-
ter. There were two classes of statesmen in the |
country before this war. The one class assured US
that secession would be peaceab!e remedy, that
if war ensued the cowardly Yankees would beg for
peace in few months. They told US that Missouri,