Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-07-15
For the Standard.
Gov. Vance's Speech in Salem.

Gov. Vance's Speech in Salem.
LADIES AND FELLOW UITIzENs:-l never was IN
your county but once before. 1t was, however, on
an occasion similar to this, errand to contribute
something to the good Of that government which
has since gone to ruin. l am here now to do some,
thing for our new government, for something must
be done to end the matters we now have in hand.
That is what have come here to talk about l
have not come here to say who brought on this
war-you have your opinion, have mine (Here
the Governor told the whiskey anecdote of Bill and
his wife, But come before you gentlemen to tell
you the best plan to get out of our present diff,
cuties-to tell you Of dangers and warn you OF
them Excuse me ladies for saying gentlemen and
not ladies', for, know the ladies all right and
have not come 10 call the righteous but sinners to
repentance.
In the position occupied in the old government
l warned you of revolution, and l stood by the
Union as long IS there was ground for so doing
But when the cannon began to roar at Charleston,
gave it up you all gave it up, and we determined
to stand by our own State and let it 60. The State
went out and went to the front Of battle and from
my humble position there you called me to fill the
proud position now hold. Not q man in Forsyth
can say neveI theless that asked him for his
l knew that could not give satisfaction, being the
youngest Governor ever elected in North Carolina.
wrote private letters to my friends not to mention
my name, but they would, and Forsyth gave me an
unparalleled majority. Until recently l thought
that there was no cause Of disapproval in my sd-
ministration but that l would be again elected
without opposition, for every body seemed well sat
isfed and SAID well done good and faithful servant"
But all at once the curtain is raised and opposition
Is presented | was charged with being rampant
secesslcnisL war man going about seeking whom
/ might devOur How have deserted my friends
VIII airy one in North Carolina show how have
deViated from the principles upon which | was
elected Andmy inaugural Was endorsed by every
body, Democrats, KnOWnOthings and SecesSOniSta
But some men charge ME with uncharitabeness.
(Here he told the anecdote OF the Boy and his
Sweetheart) If any thought was going to do SO
they deceived themselves.
But what is my crane and where is my accuSer?
The Jurors are before me, why does not the prose-
cutOr appear and face me to-day as he ought to?
Why he is the friend of the soldier, and everybody
else says he can substantiate these chsrgesY But
why is he not here? If had such plea as ne
has to offer, would come up here and tell the peo
pie.
the City of Raleigh. Were he here | could do JUS
lice to myself, and l know | could answer his
charges. But Ladies, am the best looking man.
NV competitor says he is not good looking. What
does be say however? (llere the Governor read
from the Standard Of the 7th of October, 1853, an
extract in relation to himself If his enemies
praise him he cannot help it, &C." mo Governor
in North Carolina since the old Revolution ever had
more perplexlng responsibilities than Gov. Vance,
&c') My competitor says that l have prevented
the setting up of Bastes all the State and yet
| amchsrged with being sounded He won't
come up to tell Inc So (Interrupted)
Ny competitor has an itching to be Governor
1t is an old chronic disease There is an old barn
on Fayetteville Street in Raleigh called the Rat
trap. My competitor wants to get into that (Here
he told the anecdoe of the negro the Sunday school
girl and the red apple) He wants one of those big
red apples himself If he had waited two years
would have given him the place, but he took up the
idea that if he raised hue and cry about peace he
could be elected. Before that he slapped me on the
shoulder and said Vance "al the fellows say want
TO run for Governor, they are liars" Then he was
acting the Judas Iscariot.
CThe Governor now referred in detail to the ope-.
ratons of the Steamer Advance, and the results of
the blockade running)
am charged with not sustaining the courts
Will my competitor stand up and show me where
have failed? The Chief Justice says have acted
right Take my correspondence between myself
and the Confederate authorities and see whether I
have forsaken the rights of the citizen. | had no
right to arrest an impressing officer. / charge
any man to tell me when | have failed. / do not
say your rights have not been trampled on however
but wherein is my crime2 The main thing my
great crime has been that have been unable to OBJ
tain peace.
What power has the Governor to make peace p
The Constitution vests that power in the President
ana Senate OF the OOnieQerate states. The Gov
ernor has nothing hut moral influence. Have I
not used that power? Look to my correspondence
and you will find that have done more than any
other man to get peace. l wrote to the President
to members of Congress and to Gov. Brown. of
Georgia. | told Gov. Brown to write the Chief
Executive what | had written to him, and Gov
Brown promised to do So Here is his letter of jan
uary 10TH 1864: 81 am panied to see opposition
in your State. / see no good reason why think
State Convention in any State would terminate
wholesomely." But l have no time to elaborate
my principles. 1 agree with Gov Brown and he is
loyal man, Jealous war man, and yet all these
fellows want to crawl upon his platform. have
used all my powers to bring about peace, but have
done it in legal way. Gov. Brown and myself
agree in this principle. (Here he told the anecdote
of the three boys and the bed) So when Brown
and myself make platform, my competitor takes
both sides and kicks US of. Now don't say YOU
are on the Brown and Stephens platform, for You
are on the Holden platform. Brown or Stephens
neither said they were in favor Of State Con.
vention am opposed to it. How are going to
get peace by separate State action2 Suppose YOU
don't Secede, can you take any steps2 Will any
one tell me how2 You are dumb as sheep before
the shearers. Are you ell fOolsl Yoa say All