The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-03-27
MARCH u. 1867.
Our peipbbor Of the Progrss. SAYS:


"a prominent member ofthe republican party,
who has undoubted influence with Congress, and
is in position to know the sentiments and feelings
of that organization, writes us from Washington
that the Progress is correct in assuming that Con-
gress does not endorse Unionists who are en-
deavoriig to foment partizan strife in the South,
instead ofstimulatng unity OF action in accepting
the plan of reconstruction proposed in the Sher-
man bill In fact the distinguished northerner
to whom we refer, and with whom we cooperated
in many political campaigns before the war;
the national Legislature, do not propose to en-
dorse or support any body of men who, constitut-
ing o hopeless minority in all Southern COM
munites, adopt such course as is detrimental
to the composure of the country"
The drift of the above is apparent. It is
aimed at those Unionists or Republicans in
this State, who, when it was believed no
supplemental act would be passed, determine
ed to act under the Sherman act outside the
existing rebel organizations. In this deter
mination they were sustained by such Re
publicans as Wade, Sherman, Boutwell,,
Shcllabarger, and others.
We know of no Unionists in this State
who are endeavoring to foment partizan
strife" On the contrary, the Unionists of
the State who will assemble here on We'd
nesday next, are animated only by wish to
allay partizan feeling and to benefit the
whole people, by restoring the State to the
Union at the earliest day practicable.
We do not, of course, know what prom
inent member of the Republican party" our
neighbor refers to, but We consider it strange
that any Republican should allow his name
to be used to reflect on the faithful Unionists
of this State This member no doubt voted
with other Republicans, to confne the ma
chinery of organization to such Unionists
only as can take the " iron-clad" test-oath.-
Unionists who can not take that oath have not
complained of this, but on the contrary they
generally approve it, as a step indispensable
to secure, beyond peradventure, thoroughly
loyal reorganization of the State But, ac-
cording to our neighbor of the Progress,
these "iron-clad" men, who " constitute a
hopeless minority in all Southern communi-
ties" ought to be very quiet. We differ
with our neighbor. These men, of all 9TH
ers, have right to be heard in this crisis,
and if the people are wise they will do as
these men tell them to do.
The Progress also warns the Unionists that
"the secession element will always exert a
controlling influence here, socially, political
ly, morally and financially" If this should
be so, it will be because the State will re-
main in rebel hands. If the secession ele-
ment" is to control here, or to be respected,
it will be owing to the unsublued treason Of
majority of the people. But this can not
be. The State will be recognized on ba-
sis that will crush treason. and render the
"secession element forever powerless.-
CONSCIOUS traitors" will sink from view, and
will have, as they deserve to have, no consid
Grafton "socially, politically, morally OF
financially" Many of these traitors have
had consideration heretofore solely on &C.
connt of their lands and negroes, and they
had this consideration over the heads oi
thousands of their superiors, the honest and
intelligent mechanics and working-men OF
the country. But the day OF all SUCH over
They may continue to assume airs, but they
will rapidly and surely find their true leve
when brought into contrast and competition
with enterprise, intelligence and merit.