Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1865-02-17
RALEIGH: FRIDAY. FEB. II. 1865.

We lack space to-day for the proclamation Of
Gov Vance, dated February 14th, 1856, but it shall
appear in our next
It seems the Governor could not m axe this final
appeal without going out of his way to strike con-
siderable portion OF the people Of the State he says
"Many, however, of our people, who advocated
peace upon such vague and ill-defned terms as to
cause doubts of their good faith and loyalty, con.
tinued seduloasly to disseminate the opinion tGat
our own government alone was to blame for the
continuance of the war, going SO TAR IN some IN
stances as to threaten revolutionary measures 4or
wrestling the treaty making power from Its hands,
and negotiating with the enemy. ourselves, alieg
ing that we could certainly get suca terms II the
States would act in their sovereign capacity, as
would secure our property and slaves, oy recon-
struction."
Admit, for arguments sake, that the above IS
true. and what then Beyond all question if Gov.
Vance had gone with the Editor OF this paper IN
August 1863 when he began to advocate peace on
the basis of the independence and sovereignty Of
the States, tour property and slaves" could have
been saved, either by temporary separation or by
restoration of the old government; and not only
could our slaves have been saved, but hundreds of
thousands of precious lives would have been pre-
served. But the Governor hardened his heart and
stened his neck, and urged aoGr as the only means
for saving slavery, and now behold the result! 1t
is true when he before the people for re-elec-
ton, and when he wanted votes, he was peace
man. In February, 1854, he approved Mr.. Bogles
resolutions in favor of Convention, which looked
to the very sovereign action of the State which he
denounces in this proclamation. In his Fayetteville
speech he declared that the State would be justified
in seeding in the event Of any great disaster to the
Confederate cause. And in all his speeches, made
to get votes, so much was he devoted to peace
measures that he gave 1t as his opinion that before
the leaves then green should fall peace would smile
upon the country.
So far as "good faith and loyalty" are concerned
we have been as true to North Carolina as it waE
possible to be. We have preferred her prosperity
her glory, and honor above every thing else; anG
we are proud of the fact that have never at any
time, countenanced the idea that she should, fol
any cause or in any event. be coerced and dragoon
ed BY her own agent, the Confederate government
Gov Vance cannot say that He has been truer t
the cotton States and truer to the Richmond gov
ernment than he has been to his own State He il
welcome to all the credit he has gained by suct
"good faith and loyalty"
The antipathy of Gov. Vance towards consider
BILE portion of our people appears to be mortal
He can never forgive them for voting against him
In this respect though the head of the State ant
therefore bound to treat all our people with courte
sy and Justice he has exhibited less lberality anC
less magnanimity than is shown by the Confederate
the organ of the original secessionists.