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

all honorable means to attain reasonable peace;
aho, under all circumstances, hold inviolable tn :
great prIcples of Americn liberty, then we ma 8
nope to be afree and independent people But
madness continues to rule the hour, and makes pr,
scrpton the settled policy of the government; 2
men, for opinions sake, are to have the "hidcou
mark put upon them, and be placed under tn.
I ban Of the empire" if the minority Of inGugu
TGtOrS will still denounce the majority of The people
as traitors if the sovereignty of States is still t.
be insalted and despised; if the great principles
liberty which have stood amidst the convulsiOns
centuries are to be continually disregarded and vo
iated-then if government is established it will
indeed be the great miracle Of history.
now come to the resolution contained in the pro-
ceedlngs of nearly all the public meetings, which
| am confident gives the greatest offense to the
Army Convention. No resolution smells rank
with treason in the nosrils of "the princpalitieS
and powers" as that which endorses the Standard.
Why should you alone be counted worthy of such
honor? Why should you be singled out from your
editorial brethren, to receive your devoted head
all the vials of concentrated wrath The bold and
brilliant editor of the Examiner has "cried aloud
and spared not" the blunders and usurpations of
the administration. The keen shaft of his invective
has always found the joint between the harness that
covers official corruption and imbecility. What
mystic spell shields him from the frowns and de-
nunciations of cabinets and conventions? ? He is
safe beneath the broad sgis of original secession.
You were opposed to original secession; your motto
was watch and wait" This, in the eyes of the
precpitGt0rS, is the objectionable sin for which
there is no atonement-no forgiveness. You have
proud record of true loyalty to the South From
the Charleston Convention, down to its "kith and
kin" the Army Convention, you have always he
roically opposed the fell spirit of destruction.
You have faithfully sustained our government in
all of its just and constitutional actions You have
done all that you could to strengthen our noble
army, and comfort and cheer our brave soldiers as
Arnu hool- fha ipvoI $50, oil Vn,h haua
shown willingness to give up every thing to the
cause, except personal honor the dignity and repu
tation of your State and the "inalienable rights
of your people. With all the ardour of "a first
love" you have stood by your native State Through
evil as well good report" AMI if this be treason
you ought to glory in it.
The people ardently long for an honorable peace
They will not accept of peace with dshOnor They
feel that their wishes diSoyalty to the South
This war has filed the land with SORROW, suffering
death and desolation it cannot be so Unsuitable as
to require that every voice of nature in the human
heart should be huShed. Can this natural and rea-
sonabe desire of the people be in any way accom-
pliShed {?
The question is certainly worthy of the serious
consideration of all wise, good and true men. There
are but two ways OF ending this war ito fight it
out, or to negotiate peace. | understand that you
for making an earnest effort, in both ways at
the same time. Fighting alone will never bring
have marsAalied large and brave armies, command
ell by great generals aud they have Won numer-
Gus and splendid victories and stlli there is no
prospect Of peace. Negotiation may accomplish
something, and 1t is worthy OF the effort. If it fail,
and there is no hope left but dshOnor and subjuga-
ton, it viii bu. add desperation to Our ValCr and
then can never 3e conquered
believe that it is conceded tnat our government
cannot effect negotiation, the acceptance OF such
a proposition by the Lincoln government would be
tantamVunt to y recognition OF our independence.
We cannot expect the Lincoln government to 10
this as no other nation has done it. There is
plain and honorable way, and one III accordance
with the spirit of our government. The States are
complete soveregnS As such they commenced
this revolution. In the Lsdgue which they formed
for common defence, they surrendered none of their
attributes Of sovereignty There is high authority
for this position as to the theory of our government
\ State in its sovereign capacity can naugurate
measures teadng to peace. Ii must act through
convention properly called and chosen When The
way is lain and honorable must We make no efforts
for peaceable negotiations Must the sword de-
YOUR forGver:' 1.-The last man and the last dollar"
is the Idle boast Of many who preach what they
show willingness to practice. Their faith is
without works" War to the knif." Is the motto
of savage warfare, and it is utterly abhorrent to
civilized and Christian people.
As Christian nation can we expect the blessings
Of Heaven on our cause, if we make no effort for
peaceable negotiation? If we forget or disregard
all the preceptS Of the Gospel, how we hope for
the iulhlment Of its precious promises? For two
years we have invoked the of battles for victO-
ry aud the destruction of our enemies it be
patriotic. unclrstian to ask for mercies from
the Prince of Peace, WHO has taught US thus ::
blessed are the peacemakerS: for they shall be
called the children OF God" DELTA.