Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-11-13
me Ssli,burv Watcbman,

The EGtohIndn Of the Sd contains . communi-
cation signed johannes" in which our correspon-
dent Davidson I" is violently and unjustly as
sailed, and the declaration is made that such per-
sons as the author of Davidson" and the Editor
of the Standard tories or spies and ought to be
"sent North or banged"
The first communication Of "Davidson" on the
right of secession called out by the absurd and
extraordinary declaration made by President Davis
in Of his messages that the States seeded from
the old Confederation in order to form the federal
Union. This communication was replied to at great
length by correspondent Of Destructive news
paper and to this Davidson" rejoined in a late
issue of the Standard. The discussion it is true,
was rather abstract than practical and was so re-
garded by cur correspondent; but twas not Of our
correspondents seeking for the President hinself
opened the discussion. Our correspondent eVinced
more ability in the discussion, and brought more
learning to his aid than the President; and the
conclusion of every fair minded man who read both
sides, was that I" Davidson" had trium phantly sus-
tanned every point which he had made. But the
miserable slave who wrote the communication
signed johannes" for the Watchman, cannot bear
to see abstract theoretical opinion of President
Davis controverted or disputed. One Of the strong
est evidences Of the healthy existence Of free gov
eminent is the freedom with which historical and
constitutional questions discussed and if this
right is denied to our people, on pain of being
branded as tories and spies, and exled and hanged,
then are they indeed as abject and degraded as
johannes himself No evil can result to any
interest from free discussion of constitutional
questions touching either the old or new govern
ment but If evil should result in this instance it
must be traced to the President himself for he COM
menced this discussion on the right of secession
But q" exile him l"-"hsng him |" says the Watch-
man, if he dare to differ with the President. "He
is tory or spy" says the Rrtchmdn, if he does
not believe and maintain that the North-American
States seeded seventy years ago from the old Con-
federation in order to form the federal Union Such
is specimen Of the logic and such the spirit of in
tolerance by which the Destructive leaders are
characterized They want liberty, but it is the
liberty to force every body else to think and talk
as they do. '-.f @'TS
The RatehaRan of October 19th replies at some
length to article of ours and reads US lecture
about old Wings and old Democrats Our answer
is, that both the old parties ceased,to exist when
the Union was dissolved; that and have
been since, Conservative; that the Conservative
party is composed Of the best men of the two old
parties; that he who is not Conservative is either
Destructive or Indifferent to the success of the
Conservative cause; and that the WGtc6nsdn is and
has been for some time past substantially Destruc
tive paper. 1t has fallen under the influence of
gn and evil counsels, and 10 the extent of its mi
ted circulation, has inflicted injury on the Couser-
Vative cause. This is especially observable in the
Of that paper in the late contest for Congress
in its District With ell its professions of regard
for old Wings, it gave its influence in the contest
rather to Mr.. Lander than to DR.. Ramsay. though
the latter had been consistent Wing up to the dis
solution of the party, and was moreover, a friend
of the Watchmdn newspaper. And if DR.. Ramsay
has been defeated for Congress, the result may be
fairly traced to the Ratcndn, for its influence is
about in proportion to the 1eagre majority Mr. Lam