Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-11-13
The Presidents speeeh. lin WiIminrtop.,

epoesn IN wilmington, on his way from the South
to Richmond ,. 90. - -
President Davis does full Justice to the manner
in which our noble old State is bearing herself in
this war; and we thank him for it; out he goes out
Of the beaten path of his speeches in the States
south OF US to defend the. partizan policy Of
his administration This part of his speech was in.
tended for North Carolina and especially for the
Conservatives Of this State He very truly observes
that we did not go into this war from any ignOble
motives of "ofices or pluuder," and he declares
that no such narrow considerations have controlled
his appointments to Office. Let us see If this de-
ciaration is true in pointof fact We claim with
him that 4" Offices and plunder" ought to be the
last consideration which should influence patriots
in struggle like the present; but we insist and
the facts will sustain in the statement that from
the hour when he assumed the reins of government
to the present. nnetenths of his appointments have
been conferred on persons who agree with him in
political opinion and that Conservative or an old
Unionst but now true Confederate has seldom been
recognized as fit to hold any Office under his admin
istration. Let him laugh who wins" The Pres
dent and his peculiar friends the original secession
lists, won 10 the contest in 1860 which involved the
destruction or the preserV alton of the Union and
its destruction which followed as the result of the
dissolution through their lnstrumentality of the na-
honal Democratic party placed them in possession
ofthe new government He and his peculiar friends
are in Office for six years. and they can we'll afford
to speak of the "ignoble motives" of those who
are influenced by "offices and plumber" 1t is all
well enough for them to conduct the government in
their own way, and to enjoy its honors while their
opponents who have the same stake in the govern
ment which they have, are ignored and considered
unworthy OF place; and then, if any complaint is
made Of such treatment to raise the cry that those
who complain are actuated by the "ignobe mo-
tives" Of" office and plunder." 1t is all right in
than to hold the offices and have their own way,
but the offices at once become objects of "punder"
when their opponents criticise their conduct and
ask them to give place to wiser and better men.
Mr.. Davis has formed two Cabinets All of the
members Of both were original seeessionists He
has sent abroad some four or five ministers to for
eign courts. All of them were original secessioDsts
He has appointed some two hundred Brigadier Gen.
erals Nearly all of them were original secession
lists He has made numerous appointments in this
State, and nearly all from the original secession
party. OF the eighteen or twenty Brigaders ap.
pointed from this State but two were Conservatives
or old Union men. He says "merit and merit
alone should be thezcriterion in making appoint
ments. We make bold to say that such criterion
exists only in the abstract Party, and not merit
has been the criterion The whole country knows
and feels this to be so. Mr.. Davis must know it
also, but he is so thoroughly wrapped up in party
that he is unable to see or admit it
Now, we tell Mr.. Davis, as we have frequently
told him Before that the Conservatives of this State
are Indifferent to "spoils and plumber" But they
have as deep interest in this revolution as he has,
and they do not care who fill the offices so they are
well filled If we'll filled, and if public afEairs had
been conducted as they should have been, the Con-
servatives v euld have been as much gratified as
Mr. Davis and his friends seem to be with their
possession of the Offices but when these things are
not so-when they and feel that they are not So
and demand q change, and are told In reply that
the secessionists constitute privileged class and
are alone entitled to hold Office and change will
be permitted which will place the Conservatives in
power and that their desire to improve the admin.
stration of public affairs and thus benefit the cause
"spoils" and the "plunder," they, the Conserva
tives feel that insult has been added injury, and
that their own President for whom large majority
( of them generously voted as a no-party man, has
but endorsed all the insult and all the injury which
they have been required to endure from the mo-
ment his administration commenced to the present
time If Mr.. Davis and his peculiar friends enter
tain so much contempt for "spoils and plumber"
why do they hold on to them with so tight grasp? /?
Let Mr. Davis practice what he breaches. Let
him indeed make merit, and not party the q Nteriou
in bis appointments, and no one will sooner COM
mend him for it than we will. Let him who coun-
sells 1 fo.bearance with each other" set the exam
pie of forbearance and magnanimity himself Let
him who says, I'VE must cultivate harmony, una
nimity and concert Of action" take the necessary
steps to promote these good results. And let him
who warns the people against the dangers of see
tional dissatisfaction and division, take that
these dangers not increased by the uni ust and
thoughtless policy either of his subordinates or
| himself Just and magnanimous conduct towards
our State, and neto policy on the part of Mr.. Da
Wis which will ignore party and substitute the best
interests of the country for it, would do much to
reconcile our people to his administration; but
mere words will not do it five "are all engaged
in the same cause" let US all be equals for if not
equals now, and not eptited to be heard in the ad-
minstration of the government, we can hardly hope
to be when the cause is gained. Think of it, Mr..
Davis. The Conservatives of North. Carolina are
not traitors. Gen. W6der was mistaken when he
said they were. Neither are they actuated by the
"ignoble motives" Of "spoils and plunder. "
That was your mistake. Think Of it seriously, and
do our State-Or rather the Conservatives who con-
stitute vast majority of our peOple-justice. That
is all they ask. ,s - ar.-.. '
TIE ELECTIONS AT TIE NoRTH.-The State election
I in New York Tuesday resulted in an overwhelming