Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-02-23
tlensn has been more fortunate and made larger in

. "a Yrne Friend b evidently very fond of charg-
ing those who differ from his infable opinions. as
friends of the public enemy. venture to say that
ldnoNln has no spies and reporters in the South
who give him more encouraging information than
the gentleman and his party friends who are centn-
uay crying out against their fellow citizens that
they traitors to the land of their love and their
homes, Lincoln might we'll save the expense of
hired emisSaries, where he can obtain such encour-
aging information from men who live and expect to
thrive on party ,rancor. They may well be called
DestrnctVes, as they seem determined to rule or
rum" . -.
"A True friend states +" that a certain preacher
! from Pennsylvania" who is dsloyal was "closeted
for an hour or more" with me. l am not aware
that this gentleman was prominent in getting up
the meeting" / am sure that he did not attempt
to aid me in draflng the resolutions, and if he
tertans dsloyal sentiments be has never expressed
them in my presence L know that he enjoys the
confidence of the community in which he resides.
was not before cious of the fact that my Office
was so closely watched, and that my associations
were subjected to such accurate espionage. There
certainly must be some busy body in the gentlemanS
confidence as active and jealous in prying into 9TH
er peoples affairs as one Of Lincolns detectives"
or Richmond "plug." ItwOuld not be difficult to
guess the Informant but not to scrutinize too
closely the recent associates of "a True Friend"
he has generously forgotten old party differences,
and still has nerer deserted his old frlenda ,..
"A True Friend" alludes to my fondness for Office
confess that havean ordinary ambition, and have
desired to, fill positions of honor and responsibility
If this be a fault in his estimation, would say to
him first cast out the beam out Of thine eye"
In seeking both of the offices alluded 10, / was so
unfortunate as to be in his way, and found bis in
tuence in opposition to my wishes, but never al
lowed this generous rivalry to sour my temper and
disposition towards one regarded as u personal
friend. "a True Friend" greatly mistakes my
character and disposition if he supposes l would
array the country against the town. produce any
other local sectional strife Even If were dis
posed would not deserve the title of demagogue"
more than the gentleman, when he attempts to
create prejudice against me by the use of such ex-
pressions as polished" classical" 'all is not
gold that glistens" and "Apollo with his Tyre" l
will not call the gentleman "demagogue" as that
would be rude, and might indicate passion and ma
hgnity; but will say that such illusions are un-
worthy Of his position and pretensions. "A True
Friend" refers at some length to my past political
record with his usual bitterness and inaccuracy, L
frankly admit that may have been guilty of many
errors Of judgment claim no infalibility, but
when " dead issues are resurrected am willing
to stand before the public for judgment Then and
not until then will attempt to make fence At
present vital issues shall alone claim my attention.
and on proper occasions l expect to express my
opinions as a freeman, although " A Trde Friend"
in his prophetic manifesto excludes me from his
"statute Of oblivion" By the way, should like
to know from whence the gentleman derives his
LiHcOIn-like authority Of pardOHiag the people and
expressly excluding the leuders Is it one of the
Implied powers" of his commission ?" or is it
secret" Lettre de edchet" from headquarters; or
is it merely decree of the home council? AS to
myself | ask no exemption from his !" out lawry"
or any other favor; but the people might like to
have information, they sometimes enact STATUTES
of oblivion" and they may desire to reciprocats IA
vors with their friends and 6enefdctOr&
"a True Friend" says that he is sorry, very
sorry that the meeting vas disturbed" lie was
willing that Apollo and Jupiter might be heard. -
This modern Mars who loves relentless war;"
might gain some credit for his unusual generosity
but for his usual inconsistency. He regrets the
act, but pathetically applauds the actors. His
grets may we'll be placed under the QeluS "vain
regrets and rney viii nave tneIr Just recompense
of reward"
There is no portion of the gentl eman's communi-
cation which so Indignantly repel as tie insinua-
ton that would dshonor the memory of the noble
young soldiers whose name are enumerated. Two
Of them were my lawstudents, and loved them as
brothers. All of them were my friends and one
dear good boy was my kinstuan, and my cradle
Joy" now bears his honored name. the writer has
good reason to know that honor the gallant dead
bu: will not further alude to the past and Its pr.
vate sorrows
As "a True Friend may hereafter desire to
speak Of my political opinions, l will furnish him
brief record, that ne may represent correctly
am opposed TO the secession of North Carolina from
the government of the Confederate States Secession
win always bring war; and war produces blood
she'd desolation and sorrow. Civil war always
genders sectional strife and unrelenting hate and it
is the prolific source of want corruption and crime
dire necessity made North Carolina secede from
the old Union, and she has reaped an abundant har-
vest of bitter fruits She could not remain neutral
She was compelled to assume her present position,
and noby has she maintained her honor and her
Coracainn ~ v0tlld ha utter fnlIv and m
ness, and such an act could only be justified in q
'Iife and death struggle" for her liberty. desire
convention to prevent any necessity for secession.
The State in her full sovereignty might check any
usurpations and abuses Of the common government
by firm and determined remonstrance.
Conventions in all the States would greatly
strengthen the Confederate government by granting
it needful powers in every emergency, which if
surned without their consent would be the usurpa-
ton OF unwarranted authority: -... e..
further desire State Convention to inaugurate
negotiations for peace. do not propose that this
State shall treat with the Lincoln government An
honorable peace can never be ootained from that
source scorn any proposition which Lincoln has
made and feel assured that the fanatical hatred of
his friends will never allow US any honorable terms
Of adjustment ''....,..,.. -. .
desire that this State in Convention shall inylte
q conference, through commissioners with her SIS
ter States of the South to see if some plan cannot
be devised to stop the war by negotiation. / am
opposed to any separate State action. and if theoth
er States will not heed the voice Of North Carolina
for peace-then she will have done her duty to God
and her people, aud be free from any of the re-
sponsibilities of the future. o.. - .
While our heroic soldiers are fighting and falling
in the deadly breach" and defending every inch
Of their native land, want to see grand council
Of sovereign States in spirit worthy Of the cvili
zation and Christianity OF the age receiving pro-
posing and calmly considering propositions for an
honorable peace. 90 ''-,H - =. -. --...
the action Of sovereign States, woofd greatly in
crease the power Of the peace men at the North and
enable them to oyerturn the hateful Black Repub-