The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-12-20

supersede the existing State government!
WE CALL UPON THE UNION MEN
OF THE STATE TO STAND FIRM. 1
these traitors dare to proceed further we ar,
confident the Congress will at once SWEEP
them from existence, and they will be hello
to that condign punishment which they SC
richly deserve" .....
He said that it would be rem embered
that some short time since in the discussion
of resolutions introduced by the gentleman
from Wake, the Commoner from Henderson
stated that they were untrue, and he could
not vote for them because ne knew of theil
untruth He himself had then introduced a
resolution requiring the gentleman from Hen
derson to appear before the judiciary COM
mittee, and testify, if he could, of the perse-
cution of Union men; and then if these per-
secutions were established, lie intended him
self to introduce q bill for the punishment of
persons so prosecuting Union men. He had
acted in good faith. But the Standard said
that these were a part of the tactics of the
party to intinlidate and brow beat Union
men. Now, sir, said he, l am willing to
compare notes with the writer of that ar
ticle; for as to himself he had been true
and consistent Union man. Now, however
charges of disloyalty were made against him
and every one else who had favored the res
olutions above alluded to; or sympathised
with the South in the late war. The Pro-
visional Governor had endorsed the pardons
of the worst secessionists and it was among
his first acts to do so.
Mr. Lyon rose to point of order. Whether
the article was personal to Mr. Waugh or not.
The Speaker ruled that the gentleman was
in order.
He proceeded, saying that he was assaulted
in that article by inuendo. He did not be-
lieve one word of the charge of persecution.
He also regretted the state of feeling in this
Assembly and also in the State, and said
there was an attempt on foot to prescribe
nine-tenths of the Union men of the State.
Mr.. Hodnett then said that he had read
the paragraph in the Standard with great
modification. He had been always Union
man, and had voted for the Union. But now
he held that he was charged with disloyalty
by that article for voting for Mr.. Waugh's
resolution. He denied it, for his leading idea
in SO voting was to give Union men, who are
said to be pcrSecuted,a chance to receive the
benefit of the law. Yet 1 am denounced as
a traitor. He thought it was very hard
For while he was at home laboring for Union
the editor was here in Raleigh voting for Sc
cession. He asked also, if there he persecu-
ton of Union men in North Carolina, why
was he here upon this fioor9 This cry he
believed arose from certain men in this State,
who were out OF office.
Mr.. Jenkins, of CASTOR said that there was
of Union men in this State, and
here in this House. They were snubbed and
treated with contumely, especially those OF
the " straiteSt sect" Mr.. Holden and his
collea CUES were denounced as disoyal, and
not one word was said, but if Il Union man
dare retort they came down upon him. He
tOn had been summoned before the commit
tee. He went there to testify for MIR. Blythe,
but had heard questions asked Colonel liar
ris, which he would not have answered, ques-
tons intended to crminate himself and GER
tain gentlemen in an alleged attempt to over
throw the civil government ofthe State He
denied such to be the case, and defed any
one to prove it. If there was anything in
tended to be done, it was to establish etca
government in the place OF the present one
by military power.
Mr.. Jenkins continued. He stood here
boldly and proclaimed his belief that there
was treason in tins State-in his own county,
where it had pursued him, with continued
attempts to crush him to the earth.
Mr. Davis of Franklin, then took the floor.
He stood there rs representative of the judi
,iary committee. He said that as questions
before the judiciary committee had been al !
Luded to, he would make some statements !
with regard to them. Mr. Blythe's testimo- |
ny had entirely failed to prove prosecutions !
of Union n en-. 1t amounted to this, that |
Union men had had fight and Union So |
licitor and judge had indicted and tried |
them. Mcssrs. Harris and Jenkins had gone |
before the committee at the request of Mr..
Blythe. He would ask the gentlemen from
CASTOR, if any question had been put by that |
to Col. Harris, relative to his GO
ng TO Washington, as alleged in the article .
IF the IStnnd0r2.
Mr.. Jenkins said there had not been such
IuestiOns
Mr.. Davis proceeded. He said that he
branded it as a part of the ISLANDERS issued
~ certain parties in this State He would
also call attention to an act passed by the
legislature of this State, providing the whip
ping stocks and pilory for all people CON
piring to overturn the State government
Jol Harris voted for it, and though he would
lot apply the vote to that gentleman. yet
when it was passed he doubtless thought
hat he was making halter for other peo-
ole's necks. Mr.. Davis said that if there was
my persecution of Union men in this State
~ judges or other officers, he was prepared
@ unfrock them.
The judiciary committee had asked Col
Harris if he knew OF any persecution of Uni
IN men if he knew of any conspiracy
against the Union if he knew of any CON
piracy to overthrow the State government.
He answered the two first in the negative
and the latter in the affirmative. But the
whole matter would be reported, read and
better hereafter.
But, sir, said he, the word traitor had been
lsed. He could not express his contempt
or traitors selfconfessed perjurers. self
convicted. They had been sowing the
eed of dissension and hate for years, &c.
lie was no politician himself, but he
ad rather go to the dungeon or the
tocks with an approving conscience, than
o wear the purple or proconsular robes.
Mr.. Blythe arose to remark that he had
Expressly disclaimed, in his speech, any re-
lection on the judges. when he stated that
Inion men were prosecuted. He said that
hey were prosecuted, stigmatized. slandered
nd abused. He had been asked if he knew
nything of the Featherstone and Love fight.
lie had heard of it by rumor, and had SO
.iven it in to the committee He had al
Ways been for peace and harmony, but Union
len had been denounced, misrepreSented
nd abused. 1t was said that they were
lotting for the overthrow of civil govern
1ent in this State. He denied it. He said
hat he held with Judge Ruffin that this gov
was established by military power,
nd if tested before the Supreme Court could
ot stand, unless recognized by Congress. He
id favor measures looking to securing the