Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-10-21

| mower. The Union has become one OF
aueaual sosreigntiss. And eleven DIM
med stars, which yet bespangle its banner,
should be stricken cut forever. II isa
Haunting lie TO retain them on It's iolds-
Liberty is swallowed up in q prelimi'
nary despotism. And the question whicn
remains IL whether we shall 90 through
anarchy 10 the throne We prefer
prompt and peaceful consent
eovsruor Holden, OF North Carolina. Sees
Another Rebellion.
FINN, The New York Times. 0ctoeer Is
s''A' 'A' ~ n RxEcuriyE pErAaIsksr.
d at 3 Nile, n Soa1 UssSIss .ts.s
SIN: have been informed that arms
have been imported into this State, aud
distributed among members Of q certain
nolit;eal organization. These arms are
not of the ordinary character for sport
ing or hunting purposes, but repeating
rifles, such as are used in war. | have
been informed that lox OF Enfield
rides has been found secreted in New
hern. / learn, also, that boxes OF arms
have been shipped to Charlotte and to
points west Of that place. have also
learned that arms have been received
and distributed in and around Whining
ton. II is known that arms are IN the
hands of persons in that city and in the
surrounding country Of character to
leave the impression that they are to be
used for purposes hostile 10 the govern
ment and to the peace OF society. have
deemed it my duty TO inform you OF
these facts, and TO request you to distri-
butte the troops under your command as
10 afford the greatest aid practicable to |
the civil authorities in maintaining the |
neace. | trust the troops will be at
once sent to Wilmington and to other |
poiuts in the State. 1t is my fixed pur-
nose TO maintain the peace, and to pro-
tect and maintain the State government
by all the means can command. The
people were surprised aud hurried into
war in 1861 against their will. The au-
thorities owe it to the people, to the Gov
eminent, and to themselves, TO see to 1t
that similar steps are not allowed to be
taken now. The great body of our pso-
nile are ayerse to violence and war They
want peace. They must have it. Those
who may engage in war, or may resort TO
violence to gain political ends, or 10 take
vengeance on any portion of their fellow
citizens, will be held to strict account
and severely punished. In the event OF
a conflict, the civil authorities, having
first exhausted their power to preserve
the peace, will call at once on the Fede-
raj military, and | have written this to
Eotify you in advance OF my purpose IN
.ais respect. / feel sure of your aid in
any emergency, to the extent which 1t
can be given under the orders you have
received.
/ have the honor TO be, very respect
fully, your obedieut servant,
W. W. HOLDEN.
GEN, MILES ANSWER.
HKApo'Rs DIsr. OF NORTH CARoLIyA,l
RALEIsB, N. c., October '. 1868.
Governor w. W. Holden:
SIR: / have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your communication OF the
7th inst, requesting that troops may be
sent to Wilmington, N. O., and stating
that YOU have official information that
lot of Enfield rifles have been found Sc
GREETED in Newbern; also, that you have
reason to believe that arms have been
sent to Charlotte, N. c., and several other
points, etc. have forwarded your letter
10 General Meade for his information
have received reliable reports, legally
that several hundred OF
Henry and Spencer rifles (many of
hem -shooters), with accoutre-
etc., complete, have been re-
ceived at Wilmington, and thence distrib-
nted to organizations in the State styling
themselves "Seymour and Blair Club"
and *. K. KS" From other points
officers report similar movements, the
object of which has not been made pub
lie. These facts have also been reported
to the Department Commander, aud l
have no doubt he will take proper action
in the matter. While, therefore, these
occurrences give rise to questions which
may possibly produce serious results,
still action in the first instance should be
taken by the civil authorities, which, in
nv opinion, can be done under the act
Of the General Assembly of this State,
ratified August "a, 1856, forbidding the
eonspiring Of persons, by force or other
wise. to prevent the execution of the
laws of the State, and making it high
crime to engage in rebellion or insurrec-
ton against the authority thereof. The
right of all citizens to the
possession of arms for proper purposes
does not extend to the perfecting of
armed with weapons
of a purely military character, such
as those reported as having been
received in such unusual quantities
at Wilmington and other points, other
wise batteries and regiments may be
formed with equal propriety, inimical to
the Government, while it calmly awaits
the fate intended by those who, in 1860,
pursued similar course. 1t will un-
doubtedly be claimed by theso parties
that their motives are perfectly good, and
as indicating no intention to forcibly re-
sist the law, or otherwise interfere with
the peace and quiet of their respective
localities. This cannot be granted. In
1861 professions Of intense loyalty to the
Constitution and laws went hand in hand
with preparations for war. Many of these
men are paroled prisoners, who have
sworn to obey the laws in force where
they reside, and not to bear arms
against the Government, etc. This
State has been organized under acts
Of Congress, the sequence Of the re-
bellion, and any attempt to disturb its
laws and prevent the rerestablishing of
its authority is in my opinion an act OF
hostility and violation Of their solemn
obligations, which may justly excite &C.
ton on the part Of the General Govern.
ment Their rights 10 asserting and
maintaining political preferences cannot
be questioned, but when pushed to the
present extremity, assuming hostile posi-
tons toward the Government prompt
condemnation on the part of all good
citizens should allow. This apparent
purpose and readiness to appeal to