The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-06-22

of reason and sound principles. A recon
election in Illinois shows still more markeo
change in public sentiment than the late
contest in Connecticut. We find in an ex
change the returns of al election just hello
for Judge, in the second grand division o.
the State. The result shows majority fol
the Democratic candidate of 4 $50, in dis
trict which last year gave 8, 044 majority fol
the Radicals.
General Longstreet's letter is greatly relied
on to stop such movements as these. Why
was not the man asleep ?-Ricltnaond En-
Quirer.
We find the above from the Richmond
Enquirer copied into recent number of the
Sentinel 1t is fair to infer that the Sentinel
in copying the above, looks with favor on
the views it contains.
The Enquirer and Sentinel, and those of
our people who agree with them, will wait
in vain for the promised "recoil in the public
mind of the North" There is no escape
from the Sherman act; and the recent i'll
advised action of the President in procuring
the opinion of the Attorney General in con-
demnation of the wise and firm course of
Generals Sheridan, Sickles. and other COM
manders, renders it almost certain that more
stringent measures than the Sherman act
will result from the July session of Congress.
If such should be the case, the people will
see and bear witness that whatever addition
al burdens may be laid upon them will not
be justly ascribable to the Republicans, who
are honestly laboring to carry out the Sher-
man act in good faith.
We had thought that the Enquirer and
Sentinel were disposed to accept the Sher-
man act, and that they would hail with
pleasure the aid of such men as Gen. Long
street, who has recently written an excellent
letter on the subject. But it seems that the
Northern Copperheads, as they are called,
are looked to, 10 occasion such a "recoil"
in the Northern public mind as will defeat
the act, or at least postpone its execution;
and Gen. Longstreet is ccnsured because he
has frankly and honestly committed himself
to the work of reconstruction in accordance
with the act. If these differences or assump-
lions are not correct, will the Sentinel inform
US?
We agree with the Wilmington Journal,
that
I" 1t is the solemn duty of those gentlemen
in the State, whom the people have long hon
ored and whose opinions now have great
weight with them, to throw aside the pres
ent reserve and silence, and give the voters
of the State the benefit of their experience
and wisdom. The very fact that they are not
seeking office, and are not allowed even to
vote, will have its proper influence. If such
men will come before our people, now, when
their advice and ability are more needed than
ever, the effect will be wonderful in arousing
them to the performance of their duty Let
the old time leaders, the men whom all North
Carolinians respect and honor, speak out,
and their advice will be needed"
We, too, want to hear from these " old-time
leaders" We believe the people generally
would like to hear from them. We know
that such men as Pool, Dockery, Dick
Thompson, Settle, Thomas, T. R. Caldwell,
A. Fl. Jones, Sloan, G. ]. Cowles, Bedford
Brown, Starbuck, Henry, Grissom, and Others
we'll known to our people, are in favor of
the act; but what say such "old-time lead
ers" as Worth, Bragg, Graham, Vance,
Clingman, Craige, Scales, Reid, Mclean,
Lane, Dortch, Rencher, Mebane, Howard,
Biggs, and others who might be named? If
for the act in good faith, and anxious to see
it carried out promptly and cheerfully, let
them say so. Such declaration from these
gentlemen would at once dispel all doubt as
to the return of the State to the Union If
they would unite to make this declaration,
and would then sustain it by suitable advice
to their friends the State would march into
Congress by the list of February, 1S6s-the
Union would be restored so far as our people
are commemorative military would be re-
moved-emigration and capital would begin
to pour in, and our people would be speedi-
ly lifted from their present suffering and de-
pressed condition into the sunshine of pros
perity and happiness. But if these gentle
men are against reconstruction under this
act-if they are waiting for the "recoil" in
the Northern public mind referred to by
the Enquirer, or if they are simply Indifferent
to reconstruction, let them say so. The peo-
pile will then know what to depend upon;
and the Unionists or Republicans of the
State will then address themselves to the
work with renewed zeal and energy, for the
work must be done, whoever may oppose it
Or be Indifferent to it,