The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-10-03

Constitution amended as to give the cleo
ton of Governor to the people.
Il Hon. KENNETH RAYNER.-Mr. Rayner too
but little part in the rebellion beyond holding
seat in the Convention and signing the ordinance
of secession, and if has been known to US 70
nearly two years that he was heartily tired of th
war and the tyranny of Davis, and would be gat
| to see the national authority restored. He hat
no sympathy with Vance and his party TO
the twelve eighteen months Immediately pre-
cedng the collapse of the rebellion. but on the
contrary argued, privately to his friends. thu
necessity for peace upon the best terms could
get. And Mr.: Rayner was ready to act. provided
he had have had official position and others would
have acted with and sustained him.-Raleigi
| Progress.
| If Mr.. Rayner has led the Progress to believe
that the above correctly states his position during
the war, say that it does not correspond
with Mr.. RS record. or with his professions made
to others. How could Mr.. Rayner consistently
| talk against what is styled the tyranny of
Davis - when it is well known that he, when a
member of the N. G. State Convention, was a
prominent advocate of the celebrated Test Oath
Ordinance, which was denounced at the time by
the Raleigh Standard and Gov. Graham. We
know that Mr.. Rayner not favorable to the
first election of Gov. Vance. but not because he
fVance) was war man, but because he did not
consider Vance as strong friend of I" Southern
Rights " as he desired a candidate for Governor
to be. Mr.. Rayner supported VIM. Johnston,
Esq, at that election.
1t is an easy matter, and may be considered
popular, noac, for some men to make professions
of love for the Union and opposition to the
tyranny of Davis" but in most cases those who
are loudest in such professions greater
tyrants during the than Jefferson Davis ever
was We know some men who are now loud
mouthed in their denunciations of jeff. Davis
who abused him during the war because lie did
not retaliate by having U. S. soldiers shot and
hung
AS for Mr. Rayner, he has been ON both sides
of almost every question, and it is immateria
what his position is now. He is a man of some
ability, but has always acted from impulse rather
than cool deliberation and judgment.
+ We make no attack on Mr. Rayner for occupy
ing this or that position. but merely object to
claim made for him which he is not entitled to.
It is stated that Mr.. Rayner has written letter
to some one in the North accusing the Southern
people of cruel and harsh treatment of the freed
men, and saying that unless the Government stops
it there will be great trouble. If Mr.. Rayner has
really written such letter he deserves the
severest censure, for such statements are not in
accordance with facts. Certainly he does not
undertake to endorse the ISLANDERS our people
sent North from Raleigh by some unknown per-
son. If he has written such letter as it is said
he has, it ought to be known if he has not, let
him say
THE AMNESTY OATH.-We learn through
letter received by a gentleman of this town,
from G. j. Elford, Esq, Assessor of Internal
Revenue for the Third District. that Civil Officers
who administer the Amnesty Oath, required
to place Revenue Stamp, of the denomination
of five cents on each copy. to render the Oath
valid Yorkr,lle Enquirer.
Nothing of the kind has been required in this
State, and can find nothing in the Stamp Act
that justifes it.
THE ELECTIoN.-In addition to the list of
members elected to the Convention, give the
vote in some of the counties, as follows:
Union-S II Walkup 439. T:ull 436, = Will
loughby 2. Walkup's majority 3.
Lincoln-W Bynum 49l, w H Alexander
49,
Yadkin-Thos Haynes $780, Judge Pearson
Burke-Tod R Caldwell 81. A H shuford 40.
CIeareland-R Swan 473. d Beam 1885, B
Willis 1861 Bumgarner l4O.
Anson-Polk $685. Smith 349, Dargan PA,
Myers 65, Hargrave AZ.
Stanty-J NJ MoCorkle 3l2, Lafayette Green
254.
o.