Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-04-06


MK EDtfoR:LAfter reading and studying the
Wilkesborough speech attenuvely, ms
arguments and reasoning have fsiled to convinced
nv Judgment hatthe bloody battle field is the only
,lsce where m honorable peace can be obtained.
rhe Governors speech.is aigood one. but badly d.
,ested; it contains all that bis most devoted ends
fesirsd, and then enough more to spoil the god.
It was well calculated to tickle the ear and captvate
he fancy of his hearers, but l doubt whether ne
vas as successful in satisfying the minds and con.
vincng the Judgment Of his hearers upon the best
mode Of obtaining peace. Surely the serpent mas
not beguiled his Exceency, though be is an insidi-
GUS willy, malicious animal, that crawls upon his
belly, and feeds upon the public pap. would sug'
sest to the Governor the propriety and Importance
Of putting on coat Of mail, to shield him from the
venom of the animal don't think the Governor
discussed the topics of his speech in the order OF
their importance. = think II he had had the pro- |
pensities of our animal nature showed OF by the |
serpent his Intellectual faculties and christian feel
ing would have suggested different arrangement |
of the heads Of bis discourse. have no doubt he |
would have talked as auently upon peace by nego-
tiation as he did upon uar. Unfortunately, the
moral atmosphere that the soul bresthes has about
as much to do with the moral principles OF our ma
ture as the putrdatmosphere from polluted stream
has to do with the physical or animal faculties OF
our nature. We should endeavor to shape our
views and conduct in this world in references 70 the
glorious and sublime principles and teachings Of
the meek and lowly Jesus-peace with Ged, and
good will towards man. The better feeling OF our
nature seems unfortunately to have been lost sight
of by his Excellency in his thirst for popular sp-
plause and human glory.
It would seem from the reading of the Governors
Speech that he not only regards the bloody strife
we are nov involved in an important one, but thai
it was susceptible of double showing; he admit
ted that he in common with his fellow citizens was
anxious for peace, but that the bloody battlefield
was the only place where we could obtain 1t ana
that we must fight it out now, while we had gov
eminent and an army. Surely the Governor did
not wish to be understood that before negotiation
could be instituted that it would be necessary to
break up the government, disband the army, and
PROSTATE ourselves spaniel like at the feet OF the
federals! If the Governor supposes any such det
sire is entertained by the Conservative party, let mp
dsabuse his mind on the subject, by saying We d.
sire such terms of peace at his, President Davis
or President Lincoln's hands, While we hold the
sword in one hand, let US hold the olive branch in
the other; let the war, if possible, be transferred
from the bloody battle field to the council chamber
where much of the outside pressure that operated
in bringing on and perpetuating the war would oe
shut out and reason assume her supremacy over the
minds ofthose who deprecate war as national curse,
and desire peace as q national blessing. Weare All
aware of the fact that there constitutional mode
pointed out by which not only peace may be made,
but war also; yet it so happened that the present
war was not made in pursuance OF law, or the Con-
stitution. We will not controvert the Governors
views on that point but the Constitution does not
say no other mode shall be. resorted to for the
accomplishment of peace; the mode pointed out by
the Constitution is only formallty. If the same
desirable object could be obtained by other means,
would it be less beneficial or desirable to those in
terested in the important issue? Surely not To
suppose such thing, would be an insult to reason
| and common sense
In the settlement of this cruel war we must bring
to bear the better feelings of nature; we must
not only exercise physical force but we must exer.
else lrora courage We must be permitted to think,
! speak and act as becomes freemen, christians and
| patriots upon our unfortunate condition, without
the bit in mouths or the fear of halter around
our necks. To act differently would not only be
physical, but it would be moral cowardce; and he
that would attempt to suppress free speech, or muz
zle a free press, is despot and tyrant at heart
The Governor seems to be little old fogyish ir
his notions OFT points Of law, though don't attach
any blame to him. as it seems to be the bent of BIZ
nature. l would be SO too if circumstances would
justify it, but it will not We are cut loose Aon
the mornings of our fathers, and are now being
tossed upon the angry pillows of bloody civil war
with the anxious cry from sea shore to mountain
tOp-iet US ueSotate Wnlle VIC ng0t LOT peace
Will those who brought on the bloody struggle still
interpose insuperable barrier to the accomplish
ment of so desirable object by stoical indlffer
ence, or the exercise of bad law? We trust not
had supposed that the Confederate and Stat
governments were coordinate and co-equal, ant
that neither could infringe upon the reserved right
of the other without impairing the validity of tb
terms upon which the compact was entered into
1t Isl problem now being solved that the State
should watch with jealous vigilance. If the caus
we are now struggling for loses its vitality by tn
abuse of power either by the Confederate or th
States governments, what is it that will compensat
for the sacrifice of blood and treasure, the suffer
ings and sorrows of our people, when this blood,
strife shall have ended? -
Let us hope and pray that GoaHin bis wrath ma,
not longer afflict US with bndnes aor our past foil
and weakness. LEACHBURG.