The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-09-23

and maintain The true Conservative principles as
they were understood at the time of my election.
Others may change. They, doubt not, think
they see sufficient reasons for their change.
see none to induce me to change, but think
see many reasons to induce me to stand upon
the principles of the Conservative party, as un,
derstood previous to the assembling Of the New
York Democratic Convention. believe the
election OF Grant and Colfax will bring peace
and thus the troubles incident to the war will be
ended. ara rf,iE trt.-5 f, E43
Great efforts are now making by the Democratic
speakers to lead off and blind the people, as to
the real and only issue, as their candidate Blair
says, that should control any one. For some
several weeks after the Democratic nomination
the Southern secession, democratic leaders bold
horrent principles and doctrine of the Blair
letter. But what a marked change has come
over the spirit Of their wild dreams, in
dnced by the frenzicd excitement raised in the
minds OF these Southern leaders by their pro-
longed Convention in New York ! Does any
man suppose there is any real change in their
opinions? Can any man for moment be de-
ceived by this sudden and apparent change? Be
not deceived, my friends. / well know that
there are many men in our country, who are as
bitterly opposed to the doctrines of the Blair let
ter as am, who are now supporting the demo-
cratic nominees, and who will use all their in
fuence to prevent the execution of this mad
scheme, but their efforts can amount to nothing
since the party pledged itself to this course at
the New York convention. No. my friends
there is no chance to escape from this great issue
OF peace or war, made at their New York Con.
vention. In their platform adopted before the
nomination of their candidates, they declare
that the reconstruction acts (so-called) of Con-
gress are usurpations, and unconstitutional, rev.
olutionary and void" These are the very words
of the platform proper, as it is called. Bear this
in mind. Now it is true, this part Of the plat
form does not inform US how they intend to get
rid of these 'anconstitutional, revolutionary and
void reconstruction acts OF Congress" or Of the
Constitutions and State governments formed,
and now in full operation, under the Teconstruc-
tion acts; but still we are left In no doubt as
to the manner in which the Democratic party
propose to get rid OF these unconstitutional and
void constitutions and State governments now
in full operation in the ten reconstructed States
but their candidate, Blair in his letter published
and sOell knorn to the Coagention before his nomi
nation, Informs as in language SO plain, that he
that runs can read and understand He meets
'should control any one" boldly. He uses no
disguise, he attempts not to deceive any one.
He declares that s'tllis Radical plan of recon.
structiOn cannot be nnd0ne by Congressional dc-
tion." Mind that. How then can it be done? he
asks. To use his own language: it can only be
ocerthro,cn By the authority Of the Erecutive. He
says, "there is but one soay to restore the gov
ernment and the constitution and that is for the
President elect, {not the Supreme Court, ssto
declare them, the reconstruction acts, null
and void; compel the army to undo its usur-
pations at the South, disperse the carpet-bag
State governments; allow the white people
to organize their own governments, aud elect
Senators and Representatives" This is the
very language OF the nominee Of the Dem
ocratic party for ViccPrcsident, published be-
fore and with view to obtain the nomination !;
and hesitate not to declare my firm conviction
that this letter alone secured his nomination.
There is no talk here of decision of the Su.
preme Court-no talk of repeal of the recon-
structon acts; but the Supreme Executive is first
to cxpound these laws, declare them unconsttu-
tiohal, null and void, and then send the army, to
enforce his decison ri thf How aborrent to ali
on, notions of American liberty And the Ameri-
e.., people are now asked to elect this man to the
second highest Cf1ce in their gift, for uttering
such horrible sentiments Great God where
are ne drifting!! This letter regard as much a
part of the Democratic platform as II II had been
incorporated in, published with, and declared to
be part thereof. say this because it was well
known to the Convention at the time of bis nomi-
nation, and because he received the unanimous
and most enthusiastic cote Of the Conventon upon
the first ballot. ave. -fs's
Will any Southern man tell me of any other
reason that induced him, in the New York Con-
vention, to cast his vote for this candidate Blair,
save that published letter? Remember then, that
this is the question, most distinctly and emphat-
ically the question: towit: the overthrow Of these
State governments by military power, and that
too after North Carolina has been restored. Re-
member also that this very candidate says there
is no other way to overthrow these governments,
and that this is the only question in the canvass
that should control any mans vote. This letter in
full will be published with this circular, and l
desire every voter to read it attentvey before he
casts his vote. =, 80 49,. t.-si 4
l think am bound here to inform my constit-
uents what heard two of the leaders oil this
Democratic Convention say, In relation to this
matter. One of these Southern leaders, shortly
before the meeting of this Convention, had a
conversation with me, in which be declared that
the reconstruction acts were unconstitutional,
null and void, and that all that had been done in
the States under those acts, by Conventions, or
by the Legislatures, were likewise unconstitu-
tioual, null and void, and that he was for upset
ting all that had been done, was willing to give
his personal aid in putting out Governor Holden
and those now in Office with him, and in putting
in office Governor Vance and those In Office with
him at the surrender. 1 told him that could not
be done without conflict of arms.
This gentleman said there would beno conflict
of arms that those now in power would all sur.
render peaccably, just as Vance did, and just as
Worth did--thcre would be no fighting; but
that iithey should attempt to resist, they would
whip them out at once. denounced this mad
revolutionary scheme then, as dcnounce it now
"a scheme fraught with the most ruinOus con-
sequences to the country. declared then, as
declare to you now, that any such attempt to
overthrow and set aside these new State govern
ments, established under the reconstruction acts
of Congress, would ruin all of us; that VIC could
not live in the country II this mad and revolu
tionary scheme were attempted to be carried into
execution. tst "a
This same gentleman saw in Washington on
his return from the New York Convention; and
ho6 in which hn rts
minded me of what he had said to me in Salisbu
ry on his way to this Democratic Convention
He again repeated the same views and senti
ments and declared that Blair was his first choice
on account of the principles ayowed in his pub
lished letter; and he further stated that tllt
ciples as the Blair letter. As at first, I dc
nounced this mad scheme in the strongest term:
1 could command.
saw in Washington another leading member
of this Democratic Convention, on the day tha
Congress adjourned, and had short conversa
tion with him. he at first spoke to me in yer,
complimentary terms of the few remarks haf
made in Congress upon sending arms to tht
South. remarked that was greatly displcaset
al the nomination Of Blair, after the publication
of his letter; that could not go that doctrine
THIS gentleman replied, T" We were put out b,
the bayonet, and am for putting them out b!
the bayonet." issiAGs
This, then, is the question. Now, my friends
be not deceived in this vital matter, make nj
mistake; mistakes here will ruin our country
will ruin us all inevitably.
tell you, nay friends, these STATE Governments
established under the reconirueion acts, scU neee
be oyerthrown on upset peaceably Mind that
Nothing short OF q bloody revolution will eve
overthrow them. We are all too familiar will
pcaceable secession. We never shall forget that
This generation has suffered too much ever Il
forget what peaceable secession has broughtupo
us all and all this for the sake of Office holders
And now we are asked to make another rash ex
pertinent; and all ior the same Plrpose-not f.
of office holders. They say we havea Legislature
composed Of "epallaWags and carpet baggers,
and that We ave represented in Congress by thcs