The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-01-10
The aseeklv STANDARD.
Wednesday, January 10, 1866.
Affairs in Newbern.

Affairs in Newbern.
We learn from the Times that a meeting of
the citizens of Newbem was held on Tues
day night last, pursuant to call by Mayor
Hough. to consider the difficulties in which
the town has been involved by the termina-
ton of the Provisional Government, and the
neglect of the Legislature to make suitable
provision for the emergency. Several speech
es were made, and the result of the meeting
was, that an election by the people OF Mayor
and Commissioners was recommended.
Mr.. Justice County Attorney, we believe,
but by no means Blackstone, or even
Swain made speech in which he "reflect-
ed severely on the administration of the pro-
visional commissioners" Some light may
be thrown on the motive for this attack on
: the commissioners when we state that not
long since, the County Court of Craven, on
the motion of Mr.. Justice, caused indictments
to be found against persons who had fetailed
ardent spirits under licenses granted by the
commissi ners of Newbern; that Gov. Hol
den, having been appealed to, decided that
there was no right under the Provisional
Government to indict these retailers, for that
the town of Newbern. acting through its pro-
visional government, had the power to grant
them licenses; and that Mr.. Justice was thus
baff1ed in his charitable purposes, and lost,
OF rather did not make, some fees which 9th
erwise he would have made. So much for
Mr.. Justice
But the Hon. c. C. Clark, a member elect
to the federal Congress, went bowshot be-
yond Mr.. Justice The reporter of the meet
ing says:
"He thought that not only the commissioners,
but the authority by whom they were appointed,
deserved censure for breaking faith with the peo-
pie. This speaker referred to the promise made
by Gov Holden in his proclamation TO the people,
that all laws of the State in force prior to the act
of secession should be enforced under the Provi-
sional Government and then said that the Provi-
sional Government was carried on in utter disre
gard of the laws of the State, or the charters of
incorporated towns"
So far as the town of Newbern is concern
ed, its charter had been lost, and the Provi-
sional Governor even if he had been bound
by the charter had no means of knowing its
provisions. 1t is not true, as stated by Mr..
Clark, that the Provisional Government was
carried on in utter disregard of the laws of
the State" The Governor consulted the laws
of the State; and was governed by them as
far as he could be, in the novel and extraor-
binary position in which he found himself:
but the truth is, he was not bound by these
laws, his duty being to conduct public affairs
under instructions from Washington, and ac-
cording to the will of the President. The
administration of Gov Holden has been
broadly and fully endorsed by the State Con-
yention and by President johnson himself;
and it is endorsed in the main by every loyal
person in the State The late Provisional
Governor can, therefore, afford to give no-at-
IGNITION to the little tin trumpet which is
blown every now and then by the Hon. G. G.
Clark in town meetings
The Bon. C. C. Clark, who desires to be
admitted to seat H. Congress, and who, if
aGriitted, woui=s on the first occasion he
might deem suitable ASSET the MA joril+ In
that body and the administration of Presi-
mt Johnson lust as he has assaileG the adj
Illustration of Gov. Holden, is what is
known as Vance Destructive, and submits
with as much bitterness and reluctance to
the national authority as any man in the
South. In the outset he was Union man,
but he refugeed, and at last got to believe in
fighting it out" though we believe he did
not fight any himself. Gov. Holden, then
Editor of the Standard, advised the people
to stay within the lines as the country was
subdued, and do the best they could under
the circumstances; but many, like Mr. Clark,
came out good Union men at heart, and went
against I" the Yankees" and the national all-
thority This accounts for the large vote
which Gov. Worth received in Craven and
other seaboard Counties. When Gov Hol-
den appointed Solicitors for the various Ju-
dicial Districts he lid not appoint Mr.. Clark,
who had been Solicitor during the rebellion,
for the reason that he did not regard him as
good Conservative or Union man. This
may account for the evident dislike with
which MIR. Clark regards the late Provision
al Governor. 1t is not probable that Mr..
Clark will strengthen his chances to be adj
mitted to a seat in the House by assailing
Gov. Holden.
The reason why this studied deliberate,
unjust attack is made on the Mayor and
Commissioners of Newbern, is because they
are friends of the President and eminently
loyal. They were appointed because they
were capable and loyal. If they were origi-
nal secessionists, unsubdued in feeling, or
Vance Destructives, the Hon. G. C.. Clark and
his followers would at once give them their
warm endorsement and support.
There never was time in the history of
our people when it was more incumbent up
ON them to be economical in their expendi-
lures. There is TO doubt of the truth Of the
old saying, Economy is the road to wealth u
Not parsimoniousness or stinginess, but econ
omy- A stingy person will seldom venture
enough of his treasure to realize gains in
trade, but he hugs it, and adds to it in