The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-10-03
An Ex-Rebel Oficer's Opinion of the
ssLoyalty,, of the People.


An Ex-Rebel oficer's Opinion Of the
"Loyalty'' of the People.
The following letter from distinguished
officer of the rebel army was read by the
Hon. ]. M. Bolts, at the Union meeting at
Patterson, New Jersey, on Wednesday even
ing =
Iagree with you that something ought to
be done to restore the States to their ante
6ellum condition, and willingly confess I
have not been able theoretically to fix upon
any plan that was even satisfactory to my
self.
It's evident that any attempt to recon-
struct the States lately in rebellion by men
who are just as hostile to the federal Union
now as they were at any stage of the past
fearful struggle, and who will have the same
means of dragging the helpless people into
any means of resistance that future contin-
gencies may suggest, is eminently unjust to
the suffering masses and dangerous to the
safety ofthe government.
1t is impossible to describe the dtep-seated
and applicable hatred with which the So
called leaders in the South regard the I'm
ion and everything appertaining to it. It is
hatred resulting from disappointed hopes
and the Illustration of ambitious schemes,
and is much the same feeling the thief enter
tains who has broken into some rich maya
zine of wealth, where he has loaded himself
with the stolen treasure, and is about max
ing his escape, when policeman steps up
and takes the fellow into custody. He looks
upon the officer and all the agencies used in
his direction as his mortal enemies, and no
time or circumstances can obliterate the
undying animosity of the detected thief.
Nothing reconciles the political charlatans
of the South to residence under the pro-
tecting folds of the banner of the Union, but
the fast growing hope that they will one day
get into power, and be able to wreak a ter
rible vengeance upon all those who in any
manner assisted in their downfall / have
heard this feeling expressed by the Pickering
camp fires. have heard it in the editorial
sanctum and around the social circle, and /
know from personal observation of men and
things, that it would be dangerous, nay, it
would be suicidal in Congress to restore
these men to place and power. Twill OPP
pose it while have any means Unsuccessful
resistance, and when all hope is gone and
the outrageous deed is consummated, will
sell my property and leave the country.
You will doubtless think this strange Ian
guage to come from one who held high rank
in the rebel army. I will not stop now to
detail the means by which was induced to
take service against my better judgment and
all the convictions which some years of close
application to the study of politics had for
ced upon my mind. The influence of rela-
tons and friends is not always to be resisted,
but have never ceased to repent the unfor
tunate deed
am an unconditional Union man, and I
take great pleasure in informing you that
there are many of the same pattern in my
own and adjoining counties, who are gener-
ally indisposed needlessly to ayow their SEN
timents, and thus draw down upon them
selves the concentrated wrath of those who
have it in their power to do them immense
injury; but let the time come when these
men will be called upon to take sides for or
against the Union, and you will find thou
sands of those who followed the Rebel flag
to victory on many well-fought field, will
range themselves under the Stars and Stripes,
and the Union and the Constitution will be
their shlbboleth.
The Rebel leaders are sadly mistaken if
they suppose they can bully the rank and
file into another onslaught upon the Govern
ment. They were satisfied with the Govern
ment before the war; they are satisfied with
it now, and all they ask is to be permitted
to labor for their support in peace.
The masses are all right, and the only
thing the government need to do to insure
its safety and perpetuity is to forbid the
leading politicians and officers of the South,
both civil and military, from ever holding
any Office whatever, either State or Federal