Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-09-14

events that have occurred in tho Geld It is some.
thing most trenchantly significant that, while e.
tigue with the war begins to pervade this entire
North, vote should be given in North. Carolins,
deemed State most decidedly eager for peace Of
all in the Confederacy, indicating . still more Do.
termined resolution than ever to prosecute the war
to the full realization of Southern Independence.
While the war feeling rapidly grows weaker
throughout the aggressive section, the South points
her enemy to North Carolina, and de6antly shows
him that there, in the very State in which he
thought the sentiment of submission was strongest,
the people voted by unprecedented and unexpected
laajorities their increasing determination to fight
on without variablsness or shadow Of turning
No election that has occurred in the Confedsracy
has possessed half the significance which attaches
to this in North Carolina To tho domestic traitors
who dared dishonor our cause BY cowardly defec.
ton, at this crisis Of agony and danger, the result
was appalling as if the earth had opened to swal-
low them up. To the enemy it prociA,ms, from tho
very theatre to which he was looking for evidence
Of demoralized sentiment, that the peace which
he desires must come BY some other means than
shameful popular apostacy on the side Of the Dor
der.
But gratifying as the result is to-the Southern
people, and honorable Is it IS to the sterling popu-
laton of the good State Of North Carolina, the
canvass there did present some features very hu-
initiating and notifying; for it is no less strange
t0SO tIuo tuaL Tue OOnleQor&cy AZ large pl2ceO
far more faith in the people who to vote than
did the men on either side who conducted the
vass. Patriotic men at . distance would never
have entertained the idea that North Caronians at
home could bring themselves to vote overturcs Of
fraternity and friendship with q race that was
shooting down their SONS in avowsd war of con-
quest and determination, If they had not been as
sured BY the associates Of Holdea that the North
| Caronisns were capable of such hssrtless base
ness, and warned BY the supporters Of Vance that
there was danger OF the unnatural act 1t actually
became incumbent upon North-Carolina TO vindi.
cate herself from infamous imputatons, brought
I against her by her own candidates both sides.
| 1t WAS therefore with extreme reluctance and hui
initiation that the great majority Of her population
found themselves under the political necessity, in
order to rsbuke and put their heel on the traitor
Holden, of voting for the trimmer, Vancs.
In itself, the election of Vance reflects no honor
upon the State for his whole CANVASS, after the
first few weeks was an impeachment Of the hdel
ity of her people to the cause for whish hs de-
served reputation rather than endorsement At
their hands. 1t is not from the circumstances that
the overwhelming vote was cast Tor him that it re-
fleets honor or derives value for the exgences Of the
canvass did not permit tho introduction of third
candidate true aud faithful in opposition to the false
ones. But the result is honorable from the circam.
stances that the vote Was against Holden-cast
against domestic treason at . moment OF public
peril-cast for honor and the right in defiance Of
all selfish appeals for safety and property, in =
"tme which tried mems souls." The vote was In
fact q rebuke to Vance. Under compulsion it was
cast for him; but the large majority given was an
indignant Justification of his unworthy fears, aud ;
naughty denial of his unfounded aspersions. II
his majority had been meagre, 1t would have prov
ed that his distrust Of the people hal been usti-
fable The very magnitude Of this majority pro.
claimed that he had moderated them, that he was
unworthy Of them.
The result of this election teaches lesson Of
great value, apart from its immediate significance
It proves that when the crisis is groAt whom the
people are reused to think earnestly in a public
emergency, when the issue is plainly drawn DO.
| tween performing and Sinking grave popular
duty, they may be implicitly trusted despite oil
all false persuasions and sinister influences by
which trick, srtfce and chicanery may bsset them
In North Carolina the case was one of precisely
this character; and We find the people exceeding
all expectation in the unanimity and astounding
emphasis of their vote. That neanest of all thu
hateful isms of modern politics-Hodenism-
ground under their heel as they would disgustia,
worm They then turn upon Vance with lofty
scorn, and cry shame upon him, that he shoult
have dwarfed great CANVASS into 4 petty conteI
between demagogues; that he should have insult
ed their intelligence and patriotism BY ende.vor
ing to caole them with the pleas and preyarlcatlon
voking them to duty in the elevated accents of
statesman. --... .- -.
Tie election in North Carolina is more than a
event gratifying to Confederate patriotism and hon
orable to the Confederate cause; for it is ono O
those unfreeuent incidents in the history of n
publicanism which tho friend of free institution
may regard with unaoyed eomplaceney. Mort
Carolina has deserved the confidence and good opiu
ion of her sister Confederate States, by ths nobl
r contributions which she has rendered to the n
mics Of tho Confederacy. yet her character hs
.. been gravely impeached by her own teaches. Ho
dens and even Vances. 1t had become necessar
to teach these unworthy sons that they had slaI
dered the virtue Of their mother The task va
. humiliatng; but she has performed it with d.
, cision and emphasis worthy Of her injured homo
, Her selfvindication is most trumpbant No &C
Of the sort could have been more complete, nc
could any event have been more timely or signif
: can't in its bearing upon the great crisis than th
: election.-Riehmsnd Examiner