The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-01-31

The Sentinel is constantly referring to the
support it is extending to President john
son Thissupport has been extortetl ~ tha,'
uniform kindness of the President towards
our people, and by his infexible adherence
to the federal Constitution. It is popular just
now in this quarter to support President
johnson. Bullet the test be applied-let the
rallying cry of opposition be sounded by Ger
tain leaders in this State, and the Sentinel
would turn upon the President as it turned
upon the true Union men in the late elec-
ton. The only real friends the President
has in this State, who will stand by him I'M
der all circumstances, are the e straitest sect"
Union men, and those private soldiers and
original secessionists who have submitted in
good faith to the national authority
Among the original secessionists referred to
are few exc Confederate military officers, but
the great body of the officers, together with
the latter-day war men and the original Sc
cession leaders, cannot be relied upon as
friends of the President in the day of trial
We areproud that we belong to the /" STRAIT
test sect" As such, we are willing to act with
every citizen who submits in good faith to
the national authority, and who shows by
his words and his votes that he is anxious to
restore the Union, and to regard the latter as
paramount in all things, and as binding per-
petualIy in its authority over the people and
over the States; but no consideration, pres
ent or prospective could induce us to ADAM
don our Union principles, or toact with those
who show by their conduct that they are still
unsubdued, and still the enemies of the ma
tional government. At the recent election
in this State there were at least twenty thou
sand votes unpolled. A large majority of
these are "straitest sect" men. Many OF
them refused to vote for the Provisional Gov.
ernor, because they thought he had been too
liberal towards the war men; and many Of
them, living considerable distance from the
ceurtheuses and railroads, did not hear of the
election, or If they did, they were not suifi-
GENTLY reused bya knowledge of the condi-
ton of things, to attend. We take it for
granted, therefore, that of the eighty or nine
ty thousand voters in the State thirty to for
| ty thousand belong to the 6 straitest sect
| These true Unionists will continue to increase
in strength; and even if they should not be
| able to carry the election in August next, (if
an election should then be held) they will
hold more than the balance of power, and
can dictate terms to the majority. We call
upon the "straitcst sect to stand firm. Let
them adhere to their principles make no
concessions to their enemies, maintain their
integrity and their selfrespect, and -"bide
their time" That time will come. Those
public men who attain position by combi-
nation of incongruous elements, seldom sue
coed in securing and enjoying substantial re-
wards. No. combination or party can
thoroughly establish itself in this country,
unless Those who compose it are of one mind
in maintaining certain principles. The re-
wards of office, instead of cementing and per-
| petuating a mere combination of persons
holding no principles in common, only tend
to infame, separate, and destroy. On the
contrary, party based on principles, and &C.
mented by recollection of common trials
and common sufferings, though in minori-
ty, is always formidable, and a favorable oc-
casion is only wanting to giyeit the ascen-
dency. Such is the " straitest sect" party
in this State Let those who compose it lie
patient and firm. Truth is omnipotent, and
public justice certain"