Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-05-18
. The Morza,ton neetine-nrr. Avery.

The public have already been informed, through /
the columns Of the Confederate Of the proceedings
Of meeting held BY the Destructives in Morganton
on the 10th Of April. at which Gov. Vance WAS nom:
mated for reelection by W. W. Avery and others. /
But it seems another meeting was held by the same
politicians, on the sOth April, in Morgantoa, to
nominate Vance or Destructive candidate for the
Commons No previous notice had been giyen the !
politicians taking advantage of the fact that it was
enrolling day in Morganton. A small number as
semhled, the larger portion of whom were specta-
tors Mr.. William F. McKesson, the greatest spec
ulator and engrosser in Western Carolina, was call
ed to the chair, and blazed forth in one of the
most disconnected, profane, and senseess speeches
ever uttered in Morganton. Before seating himself
he took the liberty to nominate Mr.. Joseph j. En-
win for the Commons Mr.. Avery seconded the
and the nomination was made by about
fifteen voices twelve Of whom at least were Of the
original panel Of secessionists who soundly abused
Gov. Vance two years ago as o traitor. Mr.. Erwin
appeared, accepted, "pitched into Holden" and
then quit We hope Mr.. Erwin feels better. Mr..
had concluded, the accomplished AcKesson, feeling
that his eloquence was much wanted again address,
ed the meeting in SO moving manner that the PEG.
pie were ahost leaving the Courthouse, when Tod
r. Caldwell, Esq, who happened to be present.
asked them to remain for q few minutes. Mr.. Cald.
well then spoke, and SO thoroughly exposed these
Vance leaders and Confederate ofice.holders, that
He "abused Holden for some half an hour and then
seated himself" Mr.. Caldwell then took him in
hand and trimmed him in good style, especially in
relation to his activity in bringing on the war and
then in being SO successful in keeping himself out
of it. He also told him that two years ago he and
his party were denounciug Gov. Vance in the most
unmeasured terms but now-all at once he had
become a marvellously proper man, and was their
first choice for Governor. Mr.. Avery said he stood
now where he stood two years ago, and when he
was member of the Charleston Convention. If
that was so, Gov Vance had gone over to Mr..
Avery.
The result was that the Destructive leaders evil
IDENTIFY regretted that they had called the meeting.
And now who is this W. W. Avery-this ardent
supporter Of Gov. Vance2 He is the great gorilla
Of secession-the head boiler at B,ltiaore-tAe man
more deeply responsible than all other Southern
men, s'ith the exception Of Mr.. Yancsy, for the dis
solution Of the Union and this awful war. He is
ne0 cheek by jowl with Gov. Vance. Two years
ago he regarded Gov. Vance as a traitor, and did
all he could to defeat him for Governor but now he
supports him. and is no doubt one of his confden-
tial friends. Who has changedy Mr.. Avery says
he has not, and yet Gov. Vance and Mr.. Avery are
together.
We served with Mr.. Avery as a member of the
Charleston and Baltimore Conventions. We know
all about him. He was chosen delegate and sent
to Charleston not to Destroy but to harmonize and
save the national Democratic party. Unfortunate
ly the old Wing party, which had been in its day
of the links that bound the States together, was
dissolved mainly as the result of the discussion oi
the question Of slavery-several Of the Churc hes
had divided, and the only link Of national unity
that remained was the Democratic party. All
thoughtful and good men hoped and trusted that
this link would not be broken. We went to Char
lesion with this hope and trust determined to
stand by the country, and to preserve its unity and
prevent war at all hazards. Mr.. Avery, without
showing his hand as bolter and disunionist, man.
aged to have himself appointed member of the
committee resolutions; and through the influence
of Mr.. William S. Ashe, of this State and Mr..
John B. Clark, of Missouri, he was appoint:
ed chairman of the committee. He then commen
ced openly to agitate for disunion. With Bedford
Brown, Robert P. Dick, aud other members of the
delegation we resisted him at every point; and at
one time at Charleston, but for some remarks we
delivered in the Convention denouncng the boiling
that was going on and calling on our brother mem.
bers to remain, We believe Mr.. Avery and others
from this State would have bolted then. He wanted
to do it but feared the consequences but at Balti-
more after having done all he could to fan the fame
: and widen the breach, he went out with Mr.. Yam.
cey and others, while we remained. After this, as
a member of the State Senate, he continued the
work Of discord, urging the people Of the State to
secede, promising them that secession would be
peaceable, but that if it not he would shoulder
his musket, and, with them, meet the Yankees on
the field of battle. Where has he been since p
Where is he now? Skulking! He has not pulled
the first trigger a: the enemy, and he never will,
though he is in the prime of life and robust in
health. He exhorted those of his fellow citizens
who have much less at stake than he has, to volun.
teer; and when volunteering ceased he urged a
rigid enforcement Of the conscrpt law on his neigh.
bors and his neighbors' children but he is still at
home, living WE'LL out Of the range Of bullets, with
an abundance of bacon and corn, none Of which, it
is said he deals out to the families of the soldiers
around him, but exchanges it for cotton yarn, for
which, of course he gets ahigh price in good funds
The poor may starve, but Mr.. Avery still holds on
to bis corn, and bacon and cotton yarn. Our brave
soldiers may sall on the field or die in hospitals, in
war which Mr.. Avery was instrumental in bring
ing on; but he although he promised to do so, will
never go 70 their assistance And this is the Spa