The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-03-28
of persecution, if lifted against. them, would
be instantly stayed by an enlightened and
loyal public opinion
Governor Graham--Mr Fessenden.

loy al puphc OPINION.
Governor Graham..Mr. Fessenden.
Wepu5lish in another column communities
ton to the National Lntelligencer from the
Hon. William A. Graham, containing some
correspondence between that gentleman and
the Hon. w. P. Fessenden, of Maine, in re-
lation to the examination Of witnesses before j
the Committee on Reconstruction We are
not disposed to submit any comments on
this correspondence without giving Mr. Ora
ham fair and full hearing in our columns.
Mr. Graham asked the privilege of being
present at the taking of testimony by the
committee in relation to this State; and Mr..
Fessenden replied that it is not customary
to allow cross-examinationo of witnesses be-
fore committee appointed to report on
subject not involving individuals" And Mr..
Fessenden adds, the committee is quite
willing, however, to examine any witnesses
who may be produced. having knowledge
of the subject matter, to any reasonable ex-z
tent" This reply, it seems to us, should
have been deemed satisfactory, and as closing
the door to further correspondence on the
subject; but Mr.. Graham rejoins, and raises
the question whether the right Of State
to representation is not entitled to an equal
privilege of defence by those whom she has
chosen for that office.' 70. this letter no an
sacer acas made By Mr.. Fsssenden.
MIR. Graham seems to have proceeded on
the assumption that the merits of the indi-
viduals chosen to repl esent the State would
be inquired into on evidence before the COM
mittee; but in this Mr.. Fessenden tells him
he is mistaken The committee is inquiring
for itself, in its own way, not into the char
acter of the members elect to Congress, but
into the political condition of the State
and Mr.. Fessenden says in relation to
this inquiry that the committee is quite will
ing to examine, to any reasonable extent, any
witnesses who may be produced. What
more could be asked or expecteda
We copy from the proceedings of the Sen
ate of the 10th, the following debate in rela-
ton to this correspondence:
"Mr. Fessenden rose to personal explanation.
He found in the National Lstelige0cer of the 18th
instant letter from William A. Graham, a clai-
mant for seat in the Senate from North caro-
lima, IN reply to his {Fessenden's) remarks, few
DAYS ago. concerning the nature of the investiga-
tions carried ON by the Committee of Fifteen
This letter of Graham's was intended to convey
the impression that the investigations were not
impartial. Mr. Graham had written to him (Fes
sendcn,O making two requests-one, that the wit
nesses suggested by him (Graham) should be
examined; and another, that the Representatives
and Senators from these States be allowed to be
present to cross examine the witnesses. The last
request was not complied WITH because it was not
customary in cases of investigation by commit
tee, and because the proceedings of the committee
were not in the nature of criminal investigation
where cross-eXaminations were necessary. He
(Fessendcn) did not regard the lately rebellious
States in the ligit of criminals on trial, nor was
he acting in the capacity of prosecutor. Another
error of Mr.. Graham's was his belief that the
testimony had closed because it had been ordered
to be printed. 1t had not closed except in the
case OF Tennessee. In the case of North arolina
no testimony had yet been printed, it all being in
the hands OF Mr.. Howard, of Michigan, now alb
sent on account of domestic affliction.
Mr.. Davis, in reply to Mr.. Fessenden, advoca
ted the right of the claimants for seats as South
ern Senators and Representatives to be present
and cross-exarnine witnesses Mr.. Davis proceeded
to read Mr.. Graham's statement in the Intel,igea
GER. Having read for half an hour, he was called
to order by Mr.. Chandler, who insisted that there
was no question before the Senate.
Mr. Fessenden said he had yielded the floor tC
Mr.. Davis for him to read Mr.. Graham's letter,
but it was evident now that he was reading thu
editorials and news columns of the paper
Mr. Davis said hp was rpolinp IN ayr matt n
the case by Major Lawrence. At the conclusion
of Mr.. Daviss reading, Mr.. Fessenden said thai
if Mr.. Graham desired to introduce further testi
mony in the case of North Carolina, he coult
do so"
We have heretofore published the fact, as
stated in their places by four members Of
the committee besides Mr.. Fessenden, that
every witness mentioned by persons claiming
seats from this State had been examined. l.
Mr.. Fessenden has subsequently stated that
the testimony as to this State has not closed
and that the committee will continue to ex-
anime witnesses to any reasonable extent
We trust the committee will not content it
self with examining only such witnesses a:
may be rendered by persons claiming seats
but that persons Enthusiastically loyal, and
not of the faction which now controls this
State, may be sent for and examined. We
want the truth, the whole truth, and moth
ing but the truth in this matter.