The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-02-26


GEN. BAREINGER ON THE N. G.. RAILROAD.
"A series of communications have recently APP
peared in the Raleigh Sentinel, from Gen. Rufus
Barringer of Charlotte, G. osing the bad man
agement of the N. C. RI road by the Directors.
Gen. Barringer writes in bold style, and GER
tainly without Gloves
Mr. Josiah Turner "eplies to Gen. Barrnger,
but he fails to answer the charges.
"Our friend Yates, of the Charlotte Democrat
we regret to see, exhibits trembling and weak
kneed fear at the proceedings of the gong beaters
lest they have southern rebels hung, for not fall
ing down and worshiping the renegade who
fourished for few brief months as Provisional
Governor of North Carolina. The Democrat
also twits our people for not adopting the How
ard Amendment, and expresses the belief that
If different course had been pursued, our politi-
cal situation would have been much better
Doctors differ, brother Yates; and We are to-day
proud ofour nativity we are proud of our people;
we honor Jo Turner orhis boldness in "opposing
Gov Holden's administration" and the rejection
of the Howard amendment was declaration that
our people would not be a party to their own
humiliation. "-GoldsboroN ews
Our friend of the News, when the pinch comes,
|
any who opposed the Howard amendment or the
reelection of Gov. Holden. When Lee and
Johnston surrendered, and the Federal soldiery
took possession of the State, and when it was I'M
! certain what would be our fate people, or
what punishment would be inflicted on individuals
or communities, we never went to Gov Holden
and begged for help and promised to support
him, as many did as as he appointed
Provisional Governor but who afterwards op-
| posed abused and denounced him. We do not
mean to insinuate that the Editor of the News did
so, but do say that many did So and after
wards turned round and. in violation of their VOL
untary promises. abused and denounced him
necessarily. They to blame for whatever
contention and bad feeling now prevails in this
| State.
| In view of recent developments, think the
News is too hasty in saying that 1.-The rejection Of
| the Howard amendment was declaration that
our people would not be party to their
humiliation The News certainly forgets that
many of those who urged the rejection of the
Howard amendment, recently favored far more
degrading plan-one which placed the negro on
an equality with the white man at the ballot box
Why don't the New denounce the advocates of
the new plan" Besides, it is rather late to talk
ABOUT the ''numllldtlOu OI dOOptluS I1O"dIu
amendment after .'our people," by their own
votes. adopted the amendment to the Constitution
of the United States abolishing slavery after they
repudiated the State debt, and after they have
begged pardon of the U. S. Government and
promised to stand up for it hereafter. Entirely
too late to talk about "humiliation'' now.
The News is perfectly welcome to honor $40.
Turner for his "boldness'' in opposing Gov.
Holden, and may boast the rejection of the
Howard amendment. but it seems to that such
conduct does not indicate either bodness or
strong knees. The News can see, in the recent
action of Congress. that such "boldness' Mr.
Turner and his clan exhibited. has played the
mischief for the Southern people.
"Jo. Turner" as the News calls the gentleman
of Orange county, opposed Gov. Holden and
helped to inaugurate strife. in order to crafty
little party spite; and our friend of the News and
old politicians generally opposed the Howard
amendment because it prevents certain set of
Office seekers from holding the Offices for awhile.
Gov. Holden has said and done great many
things that we do not endorse. but has any good
been accomplished by abusing him That game
has been tried long enough to show that much
harm results from it. We hope the News will
agree with US in this respect and govern itself
| accordingly.
few words more about the Howard amend
ment and we have'Gone. We did not like that
amendment but we favored its adoption to pre-
vent worse terms from being forced upon u.s.
The amendment left the question as to who should
be voters with the States to decide for themselves,
and if we had adopted it promptly we should not
now be forced to adopt negro suffrage or remain
under military government without common rights
or representation in Congress.
We suspect that our esteemed contemporary,
the News. and many others who assisted in ad-
ding to the difficulties which now environ US, by
| their assaults on Holden and opposition to the
amendment, are convinced by this time of their
error. but are too stubborn to acknowledge it.
1t seems, according to the action of Congress,
that we shall all not only be forced to take the
Howard amendment, but negro suffrage and pro-
scrp:ion of the white man along with it. How
does the News like that! Will it not now confess
that it would have been better if we had taken
the Howard amendment alone when we had the
chance!
We have no spite to crafty and no particular
fayorites to elevate to ofice-and certainly do
not desire to any one punished for political
opinions-but shall not hesitate to show, when
ever we think proper, who has assisted in OBJ
structing reconstruction and causing more de-
grading terms to be forced on the South. We
blame the Radicals. but some of So
called leading (who profess opposition to
radical rule) are not free from censure.
--
E Some of our contemporaries are complaining
about being cheated by persons at the North
sending them advertisements and negecting or
refusing to pay for the same. They might have
i