The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-03-18

he Candldates--Efoide Splendid
Speech-.The Campaign for Truth and
Justice Opened. @ l.ta
Especial Correspondence to the Cleaveland
r = '-' Leader. 10 ti-.it l-
GoLDsBoRo', N. c., Feb. 80.
Editor Leader: The uniform arrival of
your sterling Journal, reminds me of prom
ise made you in your sanctnm, that at occa-
sional intervals, Iwould communicate few
lines on North Carolina affairs now pro-
ceed to comply with your request. 3
u FHE CONSTITUTIONAL Ja.S ESTIoN.
Thirty five years ago there assembled in
the Capitol of this good old state noble
and gifted body of patriots and statesmen
to frame Constitution for the government
OF the people. In that assembly there were
such historic names as CASTOR, ripe scholar
and brilliant lawyer; the learned and veneer
able Nathaniel Macon, tie erudite and ac-
complished Swain, afterwards Governor of
the State, and recently President of the
Nortll-Carolina University the gifted More
head, the eloquent Barringer, and Others
equally distinguished for solid attainments
and devoted patriotism, graced that Conyen-
OF, 1885. Ii In the present Convention there
are no brilliant lawyers, accomplished States
men, or men of profound learning. vet it
must be acknowledged that for tried loyalty,
untaltering and untlagging devotion to the
great principles OF Civil Liberty. and thor
ough sympathy with humanity in its broad
est noblest sense, the present assembly has
never been surpassed. Many of these dele
gates have pined in dungeons for their inde-
fatigabe efforts to restore the national arl-
thority in North-Carolina. These heroic
men have been compelled by the remorseless
despotism of Davis to fly to the caves, tc
abandon the homes of their childhood and
endure untold hardships rather than surren-
der their allegiance to the Starry flag. For
the sake of the Union of the States. founded
upon the principles of liberty, truth and
justice, they llazarded property and even life
itself. Some OF them bear on their persons
scars, bearin. testimony to the desperate f.
deity with which they vindicated the great
nation for whose integrity and grandeur
they cheertully wandered away from the
graves of their fathers, willingly accepting
bonds and Imprisonment.
THE STATE CONVENTION
This was grand and an imposing affair,
probably the largest and most enthusiastic
ever held in the Capitol The true men
from the sea-board TO the mountains, came
together as ifby electric enthusiasm. to frame
aplatform and to nominate State officers
The Hall, one of the best in the country,
was handsomely decorated by national flags,
and over the platform was conspicuously sus
pended "a spendid wreath with the signifi-
cant notices: "Liberty and:Union,n" JUS
tice and TRUTH 4" Equal rights to ALL"
THE CANDIDATE
! AS was aI!iYuisatt--y X fccleJt, ". Eol-
| den, the brave editor of the ,Sandafd, was
nominated with grand enthusiasm for Gov.
| ernor. In previous letters have referred al
| length to Dir. Hoiden's career With the
exception of few hasty and fiery editorials
written in 1861, under Democratic inspira.
| tion, Hoden's record as Il Union man is ault
less. Three years before the close of the re-
bellion, Mr. Holden was known and tetested
by the rebel consprators because of his gal
liant services against tie Davis government
Down in the depths Of his noble heart, there
was an earnest longing fora glimpse Of that
old flag, that had so often invoked lissplen
did powers in its praises. Notwithstanding
the bitter and malignant efforts of his foes
he stands before the whole country as one %
/ its staunchest and holdest defenders. N
man in America has Been so savagey and
wickedly assailed The poet Dante con
tends that from the moment person become
traitor to his native land, the devil hold
supreme command of his soul and body. |
does actually seem that these Confederat,
enemies of Governor Holden are thorough,
inspired with devilish hatred and vindic
tiyeness towards as true u patriot and genia
gentleman as ever walked tiie earth Vance
Graham and the other cx-rehel leaders vii
never forgive Holden for his uniiagging yea
in the destruction of the horrid rebellion
He was nominated with wonderful enthusi
asm, the whole Convention rising en- 3aa$s
and greeting his name with tremendous out
bursts Of applause. His speech on the oc
casion was truly magnificent one. TIL
cutting and scatlling exposure of the rebe
leaders was desperate. His defiant chal
lenge to the advocates of the g Lost Cause
was grand and his thrilling appeals 10 til
colored men, whom he styled the new bor
sons of freedom, was overwhelming bring
ing tears to eyes unused to weep. Pansin
for moment, he sazed at the tiaS with il
splendid folds, and then with an indiscriba
Bile pathns described its history during til
years of rebellion, how it had been kep
concealed in thousand ways by Unicn mer
and how his heart leaped with JOY when hi
eyes once more he!leld it, full high 'advar
ced by Sherman's renowned veterans.
Holden is very popular with tie grea
working masses, and his election by them
certain.
! y ~ q
THE ABYssINIAN EXPEDITION. N.-Despatchf
! from Annesley Bay say letters from the Britis
captiveS have been received dated Magdol;
Feb. 9. The prisoners We're still confined in
fort of King Theodorus, at Magdoa Thoug
in great fear of the vengeance Of the King, the
still well treated; ali were alive and in goo
health. The letters give the important INTEL
gence that King Shoa, powerful territory chic
had left Magdoia in great rage against Theodt
4 rus, and it was believed he would turn bis arm
against the Ahvss;nian monarch as soon as III