Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-01-18
GREENSBORO, Jan'y. 9th, 1865.

lHOS. ~. oANCabs
GREENSBORO, Jan'y. 9th, 1865.
Messrs r. " Lassiter, and others:
GzNrLEMEN:-I have received your kind letter of
the ed ult, requesting me to furnish for publica
ton COPY of the speech which delivered in the
Senate upon the subject of negotiations for an hon.
oralle peace. l thank you for this evidence OF
your confidence and esteem and herewith enclose
a copy of the speech requested.
" it'll feelings of the warmest friendship for each
Of YOU, am most truly, your ob't serv't.,
v ~ RoBT. P. DICK.
iS,ee;h of RoBr. P. DICK, Esq, of Guilford, made
in tic Senate on the Goth dag of December, 1854,
upon a motion to take up and consider Nr. Pools
resolution ,{sncerning negotiations for peace.
MI SPEAkER:-I represent as enlightened and
rs patriotic constituency as any Senator upon this
fl ,or know the opinions and feelings of my peo-
Pile upon all great public questions, and l desire
faithfully and honestly to represent them They
have at all times and under all circumstances, given
the highest evidences of their patriotism They
earnestly endearored to avert the calamities and .
disasters which disuni0n brought upon their be
loved country, and since she has been passing
through the fiery ordeal they have stood firmly
and bravely beside her; and sacrificed their for
tunes and their children upon her altars They
look with sorrowful regret upon the fOlles and mis-
fortunes of the psst-but they still hope that wise
coun$els and unfaltering courage may yet rescue
the country from impending ruin. As the rep
1esentative of such people, hope that | may
have the wisdom and courage faithfully and fear
lessly to discharge my duty.
At time like this, when the peace, prosperity,
and happiness of the country are gone, when her
liberty is in danger, and her very existence among
the nations of the earth is seriously threatened,
every citizen has important duties to perform.
The soldier in the camp, on the march, in the
trenches, and in the battles stern array, while he
endures hardshps privations sufferings and death,
is in the line of duty, and the country thanks and
horors him that he has SO nobly and heroicaly met
every peril and every trial.
Tie military officer who uses every effort to pro-
vide for the health and comfort of his men, who
treats them with becoming respect and kind
ness, who does not rashly expose them to needless
dangers, and in the fercest hour of the terrible
conflict sustains and cheers them by his presence
ard example, fulfs well his important trust, and
deserves and receives the admiration and gratitude
of his countrymen.
Tie private citizen, who with strict economy pre-
serves bis resources with constant labor increases
his supplies, with generous liberality furnishes
his surplus to the government and his fellow cit-
1ans and forgets not open handed charity to the
poor, is blessing to his country, and he will sure
ly have his reward. But there are no positions of
trust and confidence of such weghty responsibility
as those OF the statesman and legislator. They
held in their hands the destinies of the country
They should be cool and firm in the midst of vic.
tory or disaster-they should be uninfuenced by
passion and prejudice and unswayed By either the
threats or Establishments of power. They ought
10 learn wisdom from the lessons of the past and the
terhings of the present. and weigh with calm judg-
ment the solemn probabilities of the future. They
should so act as to preserve the Constitution and
laws sacred and inviolabe; observe with strict dcl.
ity the rights of the citizen and guard with sleep.
less vigilance the public liberty. In word, they
should throw away all mean and selfish ambition,
and with pure and elevated patriotism strive to
promote the public good, and secure the honor,
prosperity, and happiness of their country.
In this time of our country's fearful trial and
agoay, she calls loudly fer such statesmen and leg.
tors, and trust in God that the Legislature of
North Carolina may have the wisdom and courage
to meet Alright the responsibilities of this trying
hour. sincerely believe that the destinies of the
country and the hopes of human liberty are now
dependent upon the action of the statesmen of this
land. If they are equal to their important trust,
then all things may yet be well; but if from any
cause they prove recreant to their solemn duties,
then every thing which we hold dear will be gone,
and the splendid progress of Christian civlliza.
ton will be thrown backward for century. There
are, certainly times which try mems souls and they
re'upon US now. Our country is surrounded by
numerous and imminent dangers, and the great
and allabsorbing question that addresses itself to
the patriots heart is how they to be averted?"
Some politicians urged on by malignant fanaticism
and Unsuitable hatred, reply, by blood In their es
tmaton the war must still roll its desolating tides
over wasted fields, sacked Cities ruined homes and
broken hearts. The worst passions of our nature
must be lashed into tury-the vilest predjudices
cngendered and all the kind and benevolent feelings
which elevate the Christian and civilized man above
Al L. r
peace on earth and good will to mal," is now the
voice of disloyalty and treason Such is not the
spirit of my patriotism. l love my county-the
beautiful South-with the fondest and deepest de.
votion. 1t is the place of my birth, of my home,
and my kindred-the shrine Of my sweetest affec-
ens and hottest memories; love it as the ancient
Jew loved Jerusalem, and most ardently do desire
I, see "Peace within her walls and prosperity with
in her palaces" and homes. / love not war with
its confused noise and garments rolled in blood"
The shouts of victory and the glories of triumph
never make sac forget the carnage of the battle
field the groans of the wounded and DYING and
Lhe fearful agony of the broken. hearted ones at
home. War has always been the great desoater
of the earth and the destroyer of human joys hopes
and affections. love peace, heaven-born peace
1t was the primal snless state of man. It was the
"good tidings" which the angels carried to the
watching shepherds Of Bethlehem. The I" Prince of
Peace" is one of the most beautiful and endearing
names Of our Saviour-and "good will to man." is
one of the first and hottest tenets Of Christian
faith. Peace always brings beautiful store of
blessings. 1t warns nourishes and iRvigorates all
the sweet affections and tender sympathes of our
n.turs-it nerves the arm of honest industry-kin-
dies the fires of intellect and genius-rears the
onIen lid marts of trade and commerce. and the busy
workshops of artzbuilds the school house. the
hosn;..J Of charity, and the Church of God-sup-
plies the proud mansions Of the wealthy and great
a IT, sor with content'nsn. and plenty, and with
honest and Joyous hearts. Peace alone can make
nalion .Ths eh;ef object of the patriotic states
1appy. Id o,wavs be TO secure the peace Of his
man snou mhsn this can be done with honor The
tSrntry' "a ;a s :. now before us-how can we OBJ
grs a gosS With honor for our suffering country
tain nut two ways which this war can be
saded The one is TO "hght u oad .itsrn.tve. be