The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-04-23

a. The Raleigh Sentinel promptly disclams
any intention of insinuating that we are in favor
of confscation, and says:
..Weare surprised that our cotem porary should
suppose that we designed to insnuate that it was
favorable to confscaton, &c. Nothing was fur
Their from intention. We have always be-
lieved that Mr. Yates was gentleman of conser-
yative incinations. but think that he has COM
mitted great error of judgment in afhliating
with the destruetives in this State.''
We accept the explanation of the Sentinel, but
deny the charge that we have affiliated with ''de-
structives.' We have been doing all we could
to prevent further destruction of property or
rights or injury to the people. The late Conven-
ton at Raleigh (which attended spectator
and not delegate) was not 'destructive"
body-it did not propose or suggest harm to any
one-it was party meeting assembled for the
purpose of organizing in view of the coming cleo
tions. If it had declared in favor of confscation
or further prescription, there might be some ex-
cuse for the Sentners abuse of it, but it did
nothing of the sort, and therefors think denan
Citations of those who participated in it out of
place and unnecessary, and calculated to keep
up bad feeling. We presume it will not be long
in the Raleigh Convention will also hold Con-
vention. We don't expect to abuse them for
doing so, however much we may doubt the pro-
priety of arousing party feeling and party con-
.tenton at this time.
We belong to no party-there is not an Office
within the gift of the people that we would ac-
,cept-we would not exchange our Printing Office
for double the salary of any public Office holder
in the State-therefore we can conscientiously
say that our course is not dictated by selfish
motives. The only motive have for having
anything to do with public affairs at this time is
to use what little influence may exert in favor
of good feeling, peace and quiet, and in opposi
ton to con6scation. For doing this we do not
anticipate any thanks, but the contrary we
know that we have been and will be denounced
by few narrow hearted individuals who seem to
consider that they alone are the only proper
guardians of Southern honor.
The Sentinel has no excuse for intimating that
We have affiliated with destructves The advice
We have given land snail continue to gve) to
permit the men who are considered 10y al by Con-
gress to carry on ,the work of reconstruction,
may be wrong in the estimation of the Sentinel.
hut we tell it that unless reconstruction is carried
on in that way there will be admission of the
State to the Union. And we warn the Sentinel
that unless the party organized at Raleigh on the
9th ult.. is satisfied with the manner of doing
the work, they will have it in their power to
ject the new Constitution when it is submitted to
the people, if Congress does not reject it. We
should regret this, because we want difficulties
settled in some way as soon as possible.
We are not disposed to any offensive
mark towards the Sentinel, but it must excuse US
for again saying that it's course is having a ten
strife aud bad feeling.
If the Sentinel is willing to give us fair show
ing before its readers. We ask it to copy this
tcle
We think the Sentinel is entirely mistaken in
saying that the Standard has taken ground in
favor of confiscation. We do not believe that
Mr. Holden is in favor of confscaton; and if the
Sentinel and all others would quit assailing him
it would produce better feeling in the State.
As long as abuse of Holden and 'Holdenitcs'' is
persisted in. retaliation may be expected. Ifthe
Sentinel and all others would let Mr. Holden
alone for the next twelve months. we should hope
for better times and good feeling and permanent
peace. But if the determination is to continue
to assail him and prescribe every one who
operates with him. shall not look for early
settlement or freedom from the dangers of coufis-
cation. We know that some who are ROW en-
gagged in denouncing Holden, voluntarily prom
ised (while he was Provisional Governor) to sup
port him for permanent Governor, but violated
their promises. We can produce the proof when
please.
U We direct attention to the notice, in an