Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-02-10
RALEIGH DAY FEBRUARY 10 1854
'ft s.'sasi-st t.p'E ..E 7. ~
Mr.. Reade,s Remarks.

3AAe AAC0UC,S A0m0tk8s
q, We take great pleasure in laying before our rea.
aaerste day the remarkaof the Hon. Edwin g. Reade.
delivered in The Confederate Senate on the sotb of
January, on the occasion of presenting resolutions
Of thanks to portion of the Nerth Caroina troops
for their patriotism evihced by volunteering for
the remainder Of the war -
The occasion was very appropriate for these 70.
marks. We are glad Mr.. Reade admitted them.
sno We ARE more than pleased with their temper and
uuthfutness. He tells the Senate and the, country
t the charge that North Carolina is untrue to The
Confederate government, is unfounded; and he poss
f'-4AA- an2e>e.that thA n.onns;tion IN hold a.,
ventlon Rthis State IS best understood BY its ad,
socates who declare that it does not mean mischief;
and that whether North, CaEQlina "sb.n call Con-
vent'on or not or whatever else she may do; will
be 50 marked with propriety that others in time to
come, as in time past will evince their high sppre-
ciation of it by claiming that she was not the first
to do it but that they were." In other words, Mr..
Reade claims for his State the right to take such
action as her own people may consider best for
Themselves and the country; and he has so much
confidence in the Intelligence and integrity Of the
people whom he in part represents, that he feels
sure that any action that may be resolved upon by
them will be both proper and patriotic and marked
by due regard for the rights and feelings Of Others
Mr.. Reade does not see the danger in Convention
which other public men, who might be named,
think they see; Mr. Reade is not afraid to trust the
people in Convention; Mr.. Reade has no sympathy
with those who denounce the friends of Conven
ton plotters Of treason and enemies to the COM
mon government; Mr.. Resde can perseiys no "uew
Hartford Convention in movement which pro.
poses that the people shall consult together in their
sovereign capacity to the best means of shielding
their vital interests and obtaining an honorabl.
peace.
We call attention to the following significant
statement by Mr.. Reade: "Senators have doubt.
less beard, as have that it has been gravely con.
sidered whether force ought not to be employed to
overswe and silence her people," 1t is true, then,
that it has been "gravely considered" whether
North Carolina ought not to be coercedl Mr.. Reade
very properly omitted to characterize the fact, or
to make any threat. But he reminded the Senate
that NORTH. Carolina had held two Conventions
one At Charlotte Town, in 1771 and one at Raleigh,
in 1861, and both those Conventions were unanim.
Gus in their views and purposes and the inference
to be drawn was, that though no State was more
devoted to the Confederate government than North
Carolina, and nons would go farther or submit t.
greater sacrifices to Keep faith, yet there was nc
power that could overawe or silence her people
when they chose TO cxprese their apinions, hesA.,
in Convention or otherwise We trust, however
that the idea, even if "gravey" entertained, of 70
sorting to force against our people in any event
will be at and forever discarded; and that tn,
States and the corsmon government will contnua
to move forward harmonious;y in their respec6v,
spheres And the speech Of Mr. Resde, as we trus
and believe, will contribute in no small degree t
| this most desirable result