Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-02-23
From the Greensbo roneh Pntrior. |


Gus to redeem them with coin.--Selnsa Reporter.
. From the Greensboropgh PatrioLI ...
Mr. EDIroR:-An article that appeared in the last
number Of the Patriot signed, "a True Friend of
North Carolina" makes it necessary for me to re-
quest space in your valuable paper for reply. i
regret exceedingly the necessity that compels me to
appear before the public in matter purely personal
q. time when there many questions Of grave
and all.absorbing interest to occupy fully its at
tentiOn The writer Of the article referred 10, has
made such direct, ungenerous and unproVoked
personal attack that ordinary self respect requires
me to speak in selfdefenee. do so over my own
signature, as think this the proper mode for gen.
tleman to write of personal matters. shall speak
of facts with candor, and Of persons with courtesy
| will not initiate my aSsailant in toae and spirit
and will not criticise his diction, as he seems to
regard classical accuracy especially in poetcal quo
tations) as serious fault will not dispute his
claims to honesty and disnterested integrity of pur
pose-and if he thinks that his late article breathes
the true spirit Of Christianity,-it is question of
conscience which he alone must determine, when
he carries his /" gift to the altar" ...
As to the article signed, "0ne Of the People"
know nothing either directly or indirectly never
saw or heard of it until it appeared in the PltrOt
and even now know nothing as to its authorship.
presume that I" A True Friend might have OBJ.
tanned correct information at the Patriot Office
which would have enabled him TO direct with more
accuracy his venomed but harmless shafts from be
hind the mask
When this writer's first article appeared could
not believe that public opinion was correct as to its
authorship. It's tone and 81 irit did not comport
with the modest ard elevated Christian character Of
the gentleman to whom it generally attributed.
The second article appeared and public opinion
still insists that 10 10 tie man Iconfess that was
perfectly astounded at the gross and unprovoked
personal attack which he makes upon me. l had
supposed that personally the best Of friends.
had always treated him as such, and he possessed
my confidence and esteem. Il had symppthised with
him deeply iE his sorrows and misiortunes. Recent
y We have not agreed to the state Of the country
or as to the true line Of patriotic duty, but was
not aware that such honest difference had planted
in his heart "root Of bitterness" Caesar was not
more surprised when Brutus stabbed him-but like
Brutus he may say that it was for the good of Rome.
Will not complain that we are now estranged, as this
revolution has sundred fonder and holier ties than
those Of private friendship.
1 now proceed to speak of the "Public Meeting"
which so disturbed the nerves and excited the in
dignant ire Of the selfstyled True Friend Of
North Carolina" He certainly lost his usual mod
esty when he assumed title Of so much honor
and he forgets the Christian virtue OF charity"
when he supposes that all those who do not agree
with hm in opinion are traitors to their Mother
State. He regards himself as Magnus Apollo,
and with evident delight, he. imagines that he
makes wounded pigeons" Autter with his sound
ing 6Olo. ~, .r -
The recent proceedings in Congress alarmed the
whole nation. Nearly every press in the South
denounced them as unwise, reckless and dangerous
to the liberties of the country. A noble minority
in Congress were struggling against the tendency
of legislation to despotsm. The public alarm was
increased when the nations great council sat with
closed doors TO dispose of the property the liber
ties and lives Of the people who with anxiety and
fear were awaiting the results. 1t time liketbs,
a number Of the highly respectable freemen Of
Guilford, representing large neighborhoods came
to Greensboro and fought a conference with my.
self and other friends Iadvised them that the on
" proper remedy for impending danger to our lib
critics. to instruct our representatives and ap-
ply to the Governor and Legislature sor redress of
grievances For this purpose we concluded to hold
public meetingin Greensboro, and wrote q no.
tice for the same, nearly in the language of the Bill
of Rights not supposing that would give offence to
IA True Friend of North. Carolina" The notice
was signed Many Citizens" as is usual with no
tces of that character-andI did net think that it
would be subject to labored criticism as only little
minds make much fuss about little things, 1t was
not reasonable to suppose that An anonymous wri.
ter, deangin bitter personalities, would find fault
with an anonymous notice. -
BY request prepared the resolutions for the
meeting This cannot be regarded as an offence
by "a True Friend" as he did the same thing
fora public meeting called by " Many Citizens
few months preEious. am responsible for every
word and letter in the resolutions but l am graft
fed that they received the approval Of many friends
who are that gentfenans peers in intelligence hon.
esty, virtue aud patriotism. Every object Of the
meeting Is set forth in the resolutions IL was not
peace meeting or war meeting" Our
intehtionsswsre ''to attend TO oar own business,
and let other peoples alone ia maxim Of worldly
wisdom which "A True Friend" might learn and
practice with considerable profit -
A True Friend" states that the resolutions are
full of "denuncation and abuse" of the President
and Congress- He is an adept in such matters,
and oughtto be correct judge, but he has no
grouad for his opinions and complaints, unless be
regards the expressions of the principles OF liberty
and truth ''as denuncfatiea and abuse in these
days Of J" military necessity" was not aware
that resolutions laudstory Of the President and
Congress were necessary to prove the loyalty Of
the citizen Z It may be SO in the opinion of IA
True Friend and be Is perfectly welcome to this
: high claim for The Roll Of Honor" AS to the
patriotism and truth Of the resolutions, VIC are viii
hing, without argdrSent 10 put ourselves before the
country and posterity. .i- ,-%.-' 70 ,'' :
- feel compelled to refer again to some personal
matters. "a True Friendr complains that I have
not patronized his Office bv investing in Confederate
bonds tfhsEe bad no morley Of my own to invest
4 have made no money by the war I have had
nsther salary, income on crop. BY sale Of property
L have raised theIneans Of Irving. hare invested
some trussfunds in State bonds. ACHING in q tidd.
eary characterI felt 1t to be my legal duty % make
the bestihVestmeiit For my wards. | bope the gen.