The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-01-03

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preferred Gov Holden's plan. In its eyes, it
was being literally and promptly carried
out. And, strange to say, it was also oppos-
ed to secessionists and unpardoned war men
taking any hand in the work of reconstruc-
tion. So excessive were its ideas of loyalty
that it seriously demonstrated with them; and
gave it as one of the best evidences of our
peoples loyalty, that secessionists and un-
pardoned men were not then seeking Office
1t said on the 10Th of August:
Now, one of the best evidences of the
genuine character of the loyalty of the peo-
pie of North Carolina, is that in no instance
do we hear of q man of that stamp putting
himself forward for Office, nor are the people
anywhere, that we know of, disposed to de-
mand their services for public Office
And cice orsa when secessionists and un-
pardoned persons did begin to put them
selves forward, the Sentinel began also to Sc
riously doubt the loyalty of our people,
True it has never said so publicly. But as it
always % swears to its hurt and changes
not" it no doubt adheres to the belief Sc
cretly that one of the best evidences of our
loyalty is now gone. We regret this unfor-
tunate occurrence as much as the Sentinel
can possible do; and heartily agree with
itinthe belief that theelection of secessionists
and unpardoned men toofice has obliterated
one of the best evidences of our loyalty, but
soe are not responsible forsuch selections. Is
the Sentinels
The Sentinel at that time also agreed with
us. We hold the same doctrines now, an
earnest support to President johnson and
Gov. Holden, and the selection of men for
Office whose Union-records recommend them
to the sympathies of the Northern people,
and the preservation of harmony and good
feelings among our own people. We have
opposed rivalries for office, for we hold that
such contests in our present condition benefit
no one On the 18th of August the Sentinel
occupied the same ground 1t said:
at will be quite time enough after she
[the State] has gotten out of the difficulties
with which she in environed, before she
again seeks to embark in political contests
and rivalries. She has at present but one
end to seek, and that is the safest, smoothest
and most promising road to recognition and
Union" &
This is where the Sentinel stood up to the
time of the discussion of the war debt ques
tion. 1t occupied identically the same
grounds that we did, but the difference was
that we entertained them honestly, and the
Sentinel did not It used them as garment
to conceal its intentions. We have but feebly
marked out the plot, we know, but enough is
given to sustain us in what we say.
In its first issue the Sentinel said that
hungry mouths and :" the demands of the
times" bade it mount guard, and that at
this behest it did so. The demands of the
times what were they in the opinion of
the Sentinel Did the times demand the
payment of the war debt2 Did they subse-
quently demand the sacrifice of Gov. Hol-
den, and the Inauguration of an era of dis
cord in this State? In the opinion of the
Sentinel it seems so; for verify, it has an
swered such demands fully.
In its issue of August the 10th, the Senti-
mel said, it would be dark and melan-
choly day to US, when North Carolina and
North Carolinians would repudiate the pay
ment of just debt, simply because they had
the disposition or the opportunity to do it."
This was the first blow. The Sentinel now
began its endeayors to saddle the war debt
upon the people.
In the same issue it had some of its old
twaddle about Mr.. Davis. The Sentinel at
that time expressed no sympathy with Sc
cession, and completely backed out of the
whole thing Although it has since said
that :" it swore to its hurt, but changed
not" at least this time it staggered in the
way. Read it: ~
"We did not sympathize with Mr. Davis ad-
ministratiOn, never believed him, after he was
elected by the people of the South. to be fit
to his measures; yet his suffering wife and chill
dren touch cord in our heart, as we believe it
does the heart of thousands of Northern people
and Southerners too, who have had no sympathy
with secession"
And yet the Sentinel wished the war debt
to be paid. Its sympathy with secession
amounted to about $15,OOO,OOO- price
of blood and treason. It is absurd to sup
pose that the Sentinel wished the war debt
paid merely from high sense of abstract
right. The qdestion ofnght and justice was
hin great doubt anyway. 1t admitted of the
Eostserious questionings. Wethink the Senti-
mel, at this time, Notwithstanding its denial,
was eyincing the greatest degree of practical
sympathy for secession somewhere in the
vicinity of $15,0OO,o0O.
| On the 18th of that month it published
Horace Greeley's account of the Peace Con-
ference and in an editorial comment said, that
if Mr.. Lincoln desired peace, Mr.. Davis de-
sired it more, as much as four exceeds two!
Good gracious, it made Mr.. Davis lamb
at once. Of course Mr.. Davis friends Care
they not numerous . at once rallied to the
Sentinel, and voted with it for the payment
of the war debt and the election of Mr..
Worth. The game was obvious.
But on the oath the Sentinel again thought
it necessary to re-endorse Gov. Holden's
policy. The Standard had taken it up con-
cerning the article about Mr.. Davis. In