Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-02-24

/FRAubs.-We learn from several sources in the
western part of the State that gross frauds are be-
ing perpetrated in getting up petitions to the gov
ernor to call thu Legislature together for the p9r
Pose OF 1nr,orxIng CUnvsntion. Not only is the
nasae Of Gov. Vance falsely. used as sanctionlng
this movement, but the same persons are signing
several Of the papers, go rs to swell the number OF
names; and persons under sge are also asked and
allowed to sign them And Aha prateses 10 '''sde
that Gov. Vance has directed list Of the names OF
al who refuse to sign, to be taken on the backs OF
the papers, Fayetteville Observer/
We do not believe that any such fraud as that
mentioned by the Observer, has been perpetrated.
We learn that in the Western part Of the State Pc
titions Of the kind referred to in circulation,
and are being signed by ninetenths Of the popu!a-
ton; but we do not believe that the prctence is
made that Gov. Vance has directed q list Of the
names of ali who refuse to sign to be taken on the
backs of the papers" We do not believe it for,
three reasons: First, because those who hand
round the petitions are incapable of telling false
hood; secondly, because the people sign eagerly
without resort to any influence Of any sort; and
thirdly, because the Obserpers informants are De-
structives, whose statements are to be received
with many grains of allowance. The petitions re-
ferred to, as we learn, contain on one side an ap
peal to the Governor to convene the Legislature,
and on the other protest against it, so as to give
the people fair opportunity to record their names
for and against Convention; and those who CIR
cslate these papers, of their own motion, and with
out any official instructions from any Quarter, keep
list of those who refuse to sign either side, so AZ
to be able to know accurately the views and sent''
ments of the whole population. In one County
from which We have heard, about nine hundred
persons signed the appeal to the Governor to con-
vene the Legislature e-sbout forty persons signed
tie protest. and some twenty or thirty refused to
sign either.
Nor do we believe it to be true that ".the same
persons are signing several Of the papers, for two
reasons: First because Conservatives are not in
the habit of cheating or deceving, as the Od'errsr
alleges; and secondly, because the Governor will
of course carefully read and compare all these Pc
titions, and even if persons were disposed to de-
ceive him by signing several papers, they would
know that any attempt Of the kind would be de-
tected, in the careful examination which his re
spect for the people who sign these papers will in
dyce him to make.
Nor do we believe it to be true that "the name
of Gov Vance is falsely used as sanctioning this
rovement" On the contrary, the impression pre-
walls that Gov Vance is opposed to the movement,
but it is hoped that he will listen to the people
whose servant he is, and convene the Legislature
Hence the movement If it had been known or be-
lieved that Gov. Vance was disposed to convene the
Legislature, the movement referred to would not,
in all probability, have been set on foot, peo-
pie would have waited patiently for some aes6n on
his part. But who authorized the Observer to say
that Gov. Vance is opposed to the movement Does
that paper speak by authority?
We learn that Gov. Vance will address the people
at wilkesborough on Monday next, on the state of
the country. The people will, therefore, soon Know
whether he is for or against Convention. We
confess We are in the dark as to the Governors
views on the subject; and it may be, from the con-
fident air with which it assumes to speak for the
Governor that the Observer is more fully posted rs
to bis opinions than We are.