The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-03-21

earnestly desired peace during the re-
bellion, and labored to secure, are
sco,oarzs,'' and therefore not entitled
to confidence or respect. That is, that
| the secessionists and latter-day war
men are, patriots and tue Unionists,
and the Union or peace men are Cow
ards" and traitors! Traitors to- what,
neighbor? Why, of course to "our
beloved Confederacy." Those who
pulled down the Union and built up the
Confederacy, are the very persons to
restore the Union That is what you
say, neighbor, and therefore, by your
own confession you are distoyal. We
do not say you are a traitor, for you
have as yet committed no overt act, and
you might sue us for libel.
Sd. Our neighbor has apologized for
and justified certain citizens for refus-
ing to walk under the flag, which was
stretched over portion of our streets
on the 22d of February.
4th The Associate of our neighbor,
who is also an officer of the House of
Commons, bitterly condemned the
stretching of the flag on the day refer
red to. He did this in the presence of
member of the Commons; and he pro-
posed to friend, in the presence of a
Senator, that they should go to their
homes by back street, SO as to avoid
walking under the flag.
We take it for granted that our neigh
bors of the Sentinel are honest in all
this. There are honest fanatics North,
and there are honest disloyaists South.
But such persons are too much wanting
in Judgment, too bitter in their resent
ments, and too much under the sway OF
their passions, to be entrusted with the
work of restoration. The President
knows and feels this, and hence he sets
his face against both these classes
They can ruin, but they are not fitted
to rule. They can pull down, but they
lack the capacity to build up. They
are destructive, not constructive in their
disposition. They mar every thing they
touch, and mend nothing. Such people to
use the language Of the President "must
get out of the way" They are entitled
to their opinions as long as they do not
commit actual treason, and they have a
right as private citizens to enjoy their
peculiarities and the attachment of those
friends who esteem them personally
but as public men, as voters, as con-
spicuous actors in public affairs, they
are to be ousted, ignored, avoided. We
do not want them to rule over us. We
would assign them back seats, put them
on their good behavior, and trust them
only when and where they could do no
damage. That is our Judgment.
The Sentinel doubts the correctness
of the extract we made day or two
since, setting forth the opinion of Gen.
Thomas as to secret organizations in the
insurgent States. The following is the
official testimony of Gen. Thomas,
copied from the Philadelphia Inquirer
40. You also stated as reason why, in
your opinion, the State of Tennessee ought
to be represented in Congress, that in case
that was done, the Rebel people would aban-
don their hopes If another outbreak. Have
you any reason to believe that they still en-
terrain the opinion, or that any considerable
portion of them do, that there may be an
other outbreak? A. l have received COM
munications from various persons in the
South, that there was an understanding
among the Rebels, and perhaps organizations
formed or forming, for the purpose of gain
ing as many advantages for themselves as
possible l have heard it also intimated that
these men are very anxious and would do all
in their power to involve the United States
in foreign war, so that if favorable op.
portunity should offer they might turn
against the Government of the United States
again. do not think they will ever again
attempt an outbreak on their own account
. because they all admit that they had fail
trial in the late Rebellion and got thoroughly
worsted There is no doubt but that there
is universal disposition among the Rebels
In the South to embarrass the Government
in its administration if they can, SO as to
gain any advantage for themselves, if pos
sible.
@. In what could those advantages consist
by breaking up the Government A. They
wish to be recognized as citizens of the Uni
ted States, with the same rights that they
had before the war;
@. How can they do that by involving us
, in a war with England or France, in which
they would take part against us2 A. In thai
event their desire is to re-establish the South
ern Confederacy They have not given ny
their desire for a separate government, and i
they have an opportunity to strike for il
again they will do So
@. Does this intelligence in regard to thes,
organizations reach you from such authentic
sources as to command your belief of thei
existence2 A. Yes sir; it comes from very
reliable men,"
Here it is emphatically stated by Gen
/ Thomas that he has it from every re
: liable men, that the leading rebels have
an understanding" among themselves
a that they are to embarrass the govern
= ment, involve it in foreign war, if they
+ can, SO as to have chance to re-estab
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