Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-02-08
For the Standard.
RALEIGH, JAN. 80, 1866.

am not in the habit of writing communications
for the public, batI must ask you to do me the
favor TO publish the FOLLOWING in reply to long
editorial in the Conserpatiss Of Jan 28tb, relating
80 myself and certain resolutions ntroduced by me
in the House of Commons on the 25th inst
Now I care very little for his structures on me,
especially in Randolph county, where he and are
both well known; for suppose the editor must
have learned from the result Of the election, after
his campaign last summer, that he can't gull and
bomboozle the people of Randolph, for he visited
every precinct of the county and harrangued the
people about two hours every day; but the people
gave their verdict against him, especially in his own
precinct and neighborhood, and believe there are
very few districts in Randolph county that would
elect him for constable. The editor sets out with
great circumlocution about pack mule and his
master. suppose he refers to me as the mule, but
whom he refers to as the master can't tell. Now
it has always been my observation that person
afflicted with any evil passion thinks every body
else afflicted with the same malady.
Now am happy to inform the editor that be-
long to no man am not the pack mule or tool of
any clique or party, neither will be made tool of
even to procure . bomb proof position. But ] do
own the honest voters of Randolph my masters, and
if find out that msrepresent those that elect
ed me will resign my seat So far as the pack
mule is concerned, am willing for those acquainted
with US both to decide which it is most applicable
to myself or the editor.
Now if the editor is opposed to my resolutions,
why don't he come out and oppose them and show
that the military authorities have not imposed on
the people of Randolph and other counties or if
he takes the ground thatit is right to punish per-
sons on mere suspicion why don't he say so ? But
he says "Let the investigation by all means take
place" And in so saying be says that he is sure
that be expresses the sentiments Of Gov. Vance
Surely that is what any reasonable man ought to
expect The Governor can certainly have no objec-
ton if the people of any section of the State think
they have been ageved to having the matter inves-
tigated. .'
But why the editor goes on in . whole column
stigmatizing me and trying to impugn my motives,
leave for the candid public to judge. He can't
deny blu: what the military authorities have com.
mtted outragss against portion of the citizens OF
Randolph, and if he is not willing that the people
should know by whose authority those outrages
were committed, why don't be come out and say
so?
But the editor says I" that if he understands my
resolutions they are intended merely % arragn the
conduct of Gov. Vance" An evil Imagination can
conjecture great many things. will simply say
that great many of the citizens of my county
have been imposed upon by the military authorities
and felt it my duty to try to have the matter in
vestgated SO that they could by what authority
| it done, let it arraign Gov Vance or any other
| person.
But the editor says there were other outrages com
mitted in Randolph that don't complain Of I free
ly admit there are other outrages committed which
/ all good citizens greatly deplore. But those WHIT
committed the eutrages the ones to punish, and
by abusing persons on mere suspicion, instead 0
suppressng the evil only makes it worse.
The editor says that he wants the Investigation
not to stop at the half way house. No objections
The great mass Of the people ofRandolph are law
loving and law abiding people, willing to see thu
civil lazy enforced any, high or low, who violate
it, but always unwilling to see any person punish
ed on mere suspicion, no difference how humble biz
position may De- JOEL ASHWORTH.