The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-09-18
y Correspondence of the Standard. ! 90
UNION LEAGUES rs. MIDNIGHT CONCLAyES

sr5e,, Columbia, S. c., Sept. 4th, 1867
MEssRs, EDITORS 1t having been my
pleasing duty while visiting Western North
Carolina, to organize Councils of the Union
League of America. Il can for, the informa-
ton of the curious, detail some of my expe-
rience in that interesting country. We had
no midnight conclaves. We hadour meetings
in the primeyal forests; on mountain tops;
on hillsides; in the fiat-woods,; by the side
of ripping streams; and around the crystal
springs with Gods free sun above in the
azure dome and the varied beauties Of nature
all around. Sometimes, when convenient,
we met under mill-sheds, in school-houses,
in churches, and many a time in the room
which l occupied In all these various
places, and under great variety of circum-
stances, the reception of the justice of, and
/ obligation to the Republican party was the
same. My heart swels with patriotic pride
when call to mind the eager attention, the
! glowing countenances and glistening eyes,
with which the truth was received. These
children of nature need but have confidence
in their brother man to join with him in re-
generating our country and exerting their
utmost efforts to crush the designs of traitors
to plunge the country in another civil war.
The people of North-C Carolina have. no in
terests now antagonistic to those OF the other
States Of the Union. They are willing to
admit the truths set forth in the Declaration
OF Independence, and acknowledge that
their highest earthly allegiance is due to the
government Of the United States, and are
willing to pledge themselves to resist all at
tempts to subvert or overthrow the govern
ment which they love. 1t needs but to give
them the assurance that they will be protec-
ted by the government against the rebel Of
hclals to secure their adherence to the Union
party. Many cannot understand how a tri-
umphant government should allow traitors
and enemies to hold Office, and use their of
fetal influence to thwart the designs of Con-
gress in reconstructing the Union. But when
the fact is explained that it is from motives
of benevolence; that the government wishes
to interfere as little as possible with local af-
fairs, and leaves the people in their sover-
eign capacity at the next elections to choose
their own officials, that they comprehend the
truth, and are determined to exercise their
privileges. ~, ..s..'s IA, \ ~. Xxx. &
From Burke County, as a centre, the
League has spread into all the surrounding
Counties east of the Ridge down to the
South Carolina line From Buncombe it has
radlated throughout the extreme western
Counties rom South Carolina and Virginia.
Six weeks since there were nineteen, Coun-
ellis and eighteen hundred Leaguers in Bun.
combe alone. The 9Th and 9TH Districts now
have large Republican majority, and it may
be safely assumed that the entire State will
J be largely Republican at tile next election.
Utmost ofithe County towns, the unreeon-
structed are most numerous for here reside
the Weather class and the officials and those
who depend on these for patronage and IA
vors. q If proper white deputies were sent to
these foci of rebelism to make public lee
lures, many might be reclaimed. from their
I delusions and broughtinto the ark of safety.
Turning from the gratifying prospects of
q the Old North State, it is painful to conteml-
plate the condition of things in her sister
/. Carolina. !. A general apathy prevails among
the whites throughout- the Northern Dis
tricts which I traversed; still. there are few
earnest men either in the, Leagues or work
ing for it in every town and village through
which passed. The colered people, however,
8 are active, and they have Councils in every
neighborhood from which I have heard. -
They appear very much fgratifed. to meet
with a white man who is friend to the gov
eminent which has done 80 much for them,
iand express much anxiety to know what is
requiretf Of them. The most of them would
prefer white man fol the chief Offices, il
they knew him 20 be A Republican snd their
friend, as they honestly distrust their ability
: to serve their people as weilasa white friend
would ~ 49, g 7. = Z.
T Not yet recovered from the fatigue Of my
9ourneyings, and being about to set out again,
I; must close this imperfect sketch, seseryipg
Z Tor g more leasure time some general consid-
= eratlons on the same subject. FELIX.