Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-03-15

For the Standard.
-, > sgzrseausrz, MO, xasth !, 1895 i
" ". Holden, Esq -
DEAR oIR:-From late proclamation ofhis Ex,
ceiiency, Gov. Vance, it appears that he desires
war meetings to be held throughout the State for
the purpose OF infusing into the masses more de-
termined spirit of resistance to the encroachments
Of the enemy.
If the people wish to hold .oar meetings and pro
claim their sentiments to the world in the name of
all that is sacred let them do so and let no imped
iment be placed in their way. But, on the other
to manifest this to the world BY holding peace
meetings, then, in Gods bame. let them do So
and let no redmouthed eater or high dignlta.
ry, or armed sodery interrupt or intermeddle with
this sacred privilege Should none but the tocsin
Of war be sounded, then let the ''Bomb proofs "
blow their loud bugle blasts; call together their
assemblages; appoint their charmen choose their
Secretaries introduce their cut and dried resou.
tions, framed by their masters make their stereo
typed speeches Of denunciation urge all the work.
ing men to 60 into the war; (while they themselves
take especial care to stay outO and; in Short say
and do any and every thing they have mind to-
it's only way these chivslry have of keeping out
Of harms way and of preserving their own precious
carcases from the dangers OF stray shot or SHELL
and at the same time of showing their patriotism
and hatred of the "upiversal Yankee nation" to
the whole world and the rest of mankind But
while they are making all this bluster and parade,
it is most respectfully suggested that many persons
doubt their sincerity and patriotism; these doubts,
however, would in some measure be dispelled, if at
the close of their meetings the leaders would draw
up little instrument couched in something like
the following words and figures, to wit:
/ 1--WE, the undersigned, believing with his Ex.
cellency, Gov. Vance, that crisis has arrived in
the affairs of our Confederacy, when it behooves
every man, irrespective of age calling or profess
sion, to tender to the governmenu-not only his
money, his negroes and his next and nearest of
kin-out also his own person and bodily services,
do therefore hereby voluntarily offer ourseloes as
prtootes to the commanding General of the Con.
federate States army, to be assigned for active du
ty IN the field to such companies and regiments as
said General, in his wisdom, may deem best 4; and
we pledge ourselves not to seek or accept, during
the war, any place or position in.the civil depart
ment OF the government, nor to lay down our arms
until we shall have achieved the Independence o.
our beloved country"
When this instrument is prepared, let all ths
men who are so eager for the fray, and who snufed
in the battle while danger was yet afar of, come ny
ike brave men, and sign their names and affi1
their seals to the document Let every one wht
persuades his neighbor to enlist set the good ex
ample. Come forward, all of ye who get up thes.
war meetings, and make harangues at them-coms
up and sign the bond, and acknowledge its deliv
cry. Let no one lag behind-no, not even thu
minister of the Gospel who thirsts for blood yea
let him come to the banquet which he has hepet
to spread for others. Come, Messrs. LAWYERS
Doctors, Printers, Justices of the Peace, Quarter
masters, Commissaries, spectators, Railroad Pres
'dents, grog shop politicians, and members Of Con.
gress-cone every one of you who are still foi
war; come forward, and show your faith by your
works. Your country needs you, and calls you
then 90 come-there is room for ALL None must
stay back, or turn deaf ear to the countrys ago
nizng cry. If tire leaders who are working the
wires to get the yeomanry of the country into the
army, will only come forward and head the list
with their own names, my word for it, Gen. Lee 8
heart will soon be made to rejoice his depleted
regiments will soon be filled to overfowing, and
the whole country will "rejoice and be glad
But on the other hand, Messrs. Gimer, Venable,
Craige, Dortch, Haughton, Person, ct i'd osnne &C.
nus, may mount the rostrum and declaim and eec
trify their audiences with "beod and thunder u
speeches until the crack of doom; and Messrs
McRae, Hale and Bruner may wear out all the
goose quills in the Confederacy, in writing invec
tves and abuse of those who are for peace, and
they will add NO material strength to the army un
til their hearers and readers see them step forth
and buckle on their knap sacks, and shoulder thcil
muskets, and say, "Come on boys-come and q
with US to the carnival of death, and partake with
US ofthe terrible repast we have prepared for you
and let US all sit down together"
Oh, Mr. Editor, what iaith can one have in tht
preaching and teaching of any war mau, when houl
after hour he urges others to to the post Of homo
and Of danger, yet persistenly refuses to 60 him
self? He invites others to tear themselves away
from their wives and little ones, and leave them t
the tender mercies of heartless world; to buckl
on the panoply of war, and 60 to the front, and d
battle for their country-and then complacentl,
turns himself upon his heel, goes to his home q
luxury and ease; struts back and forth over hi
soft carpets; lolls upon his downy beds; sips hi
fine wines and brandes; drives his fast horses
speculates upon the necessities of the widows an
i orphans luxuriates upon the fat of the land, an
refuses to help the poor, half starved bali. .cla
soldier to fight the war which he himself inaugurs
ted. Away away with such patriots and patrio
ism. 1t is nothing but q mockery; hollow prt
! tence; fmsy show; cheat; a swindle; Sec
! don-ic trick-a selling Of your own wheat to YOU
needy country at $40 per bushel, and then pressin
your poorer neighbours from him at 81 so, an
never paying him even that pitiful price.
In conclusion, Mr.. Editor, would fain expires
the hope that whenever another var meeting is bel.
those gifted gentlemen who arc SO eloquent in pc
suading others to 60 to the front, will enter ii
arena and 60 themselves LINVILLk
FRoM KNsToN.-There were rumors yesterda
that the enemy had advanced on Kinston and wei
engaged with our forces at Sand Ridge, above Coz
7 Greek, on Tuesday last We cannot veuch #
their reliability, however. We have ha6 man
sensational stories from that quarter recently ar
; We arc inclined to doubt al nearsay reports, or
await official intelligence. If the eneky are adva