Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-04-20
The Standard.
Secret Circulars.

thO 6ulSot VI PaPSA - oSSASsy Wv
Standard" half sheet of the STANDARD has
been published privately that one half sheet Of
the Standard, bearing the date with another half
sheet has been sent to the army while the other
half sheet was withheld from the army-that We
have been circulating secret documents in the
army" &c, &C., &c
There is no shadow of foundation for this charge.
About the last of March we prepared full Weekly
Standard, containing on the outside Gov Browns
message and other documents; and while the out
side was being printed of, in order to furnish some
friends who happened to be in the Office with CO.
pies of Gov Browns message directed the press
man to print few sheets on both sides, so as to
make half sheet containing the message. As soon
as the inside form was ready we printed that of,
making the full sheet of the Weekly Standard,
which was sent to our subscribers and exchanges.
The half sheet referred to would never have been
thought Of but for the great anxiety to see Gov.
Browns message. There was no "private" or
"secret" publication of the StdRdard-no half sheet
sent to the army and another half sheet withheld
no attempt to circulate the Standard secretly, and
no thought Of doing so. We are not in the habit
of publishing secret documents Of any kind. We
uO nOI ucdl IuiuBSs ouS VIC oSScTb Iu6b
Confederate establishment is itself the result of
secret arrangement and that the bulk of its income
is based secret circular, privately issued by
"sleght of hand" to the faithful Destructives and
Vanceites throughout the State We hoist the en-
gineer with his own petard. Read the follow
ing:-
CConidential.)
RALEIGH, January II, 1864
SR:-About the close of the last session of the
e
the importance and indeed necessity of having pub
lished In the City Of Raleigh an able and efficient
newspaper, to advocate the cause of Southern indie
pendence, met together here and after mature con.
sideration appointed the undersigned a committee
to carry their purpose into effect in such way
might be deemed most advisable. 1t has been as
certained that this can only be doae by raising an
amount by subscription sufficient to purchase the
State Journal aud its printing establishment We
have agreed with the present proprietor to do So at
the price Of 000 of which s. 900 to be paid
iG cash. and the residue as soon as it can be col
lected The sum seems large, but in the present
state Of the currency, assured that it is not
unreasonable. The paper will soon pass into the
hands of A. NJ German, a practical printer, and
with whom it is our purpose to associate some able
and talented gentleman in editing the paper. We
propose to raise the money in shares of hundred
dollars and to take deed for the property for the
use Of the share holders Mr.. German has so much
COQu0S0C6 III LO6 SUCCESS VI ut
has agreed to take 900 worth Of the stock.
Several gentlemen here, without reference to any
expected pecuniary profit have subscribed from
$500 to 81 900 each. As patriots and property
holders they feel that something of the kind must
be done to rescue the State from disgrace and pre-.
vent the loss of all that is dear to us-our liberty
our property, our all.
We shall need all the funds we can get Infor-
nation must be laid before the people, and we ap-
peal to you to interest yourself Immediately in the
matter, and raise what amount you can, either by
way Of stock, subscription or gift. list of the
subscribers and amount subscribed by EACH and all
money when collected may be sent for convenience
to the first named of the undersigned, who is chair
man of the committee, and who will duly scknow-
ledge the same. At the outset the expense may
be greater than the receipts, but believe that
such paper will soon we'll managed more than
pay all expenses. The paper will be called the
CorVSdsrate and will be published daily, tri weekly
and weekly; and we hope you will also use active
means to procure subscribers to it
THOS. BRAGG,
n. A. BLEDSOE,
PETER E. HINES,
j. W. B. WATSON,
VIM j. HAWKINS.
So it seems that these "patriots," four of whom
Confederate Office holders share holders with
others in the Confederate establishment which first
saw the light the result of secret arrangement
and which now subsists, or exists on the proceeds
obtained from secret machinery. The Standard
owes its existence and support to no such secret
arrangements 1t was established and is sustained
on its merits, by the people; but the COHyedsrGts
is joint stock concern, and the Editors-Col Nc
Rae and Mr. Gorman-are expected to serve the |
stockholders or retire. They can express no opn-
ions of their own and then rely on the people to
sustain them, but they the bond servants Of q
secret body Of stockholders, and are obliged to
write and do as they are told. striking specimen
of the Independence of the press The chairman
of the stockholders Mr.. Bragg, is known to be q
strong friend to Gov. Vance; and it was under his
orders as street report has it. that the Confederate
took ground SO promptly for that gentleman as the
Destructive candidate for Governor. 4
We wish our amiable cotemporaries of the Con-
federatea "good time generally" over this business
of "secret circulars" "private" publications by
90 'sleiyht of hand, >" &c, &c. i
have received several invitations to address the
people as a candidate for Governor. Under the cir
cuustances, l most respectfully decline to canvass
the State This determination was made known in !
nv card announcing myself canddaee, of date
March 9th, 1854 l am not afraid to meet Gov. |
Vance, or any other candidate who may be support
ed by the Destructves partizans Of the Oonfed-
crate administration; but am not vain enough to |
hone that could change or control the opinions of