The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-03-11
For the Standard.


MEssRs. EDITORS In the present politi-
cal crisis it appears to be the duty of every.
citizen to take a firm and positive stand.
The people are burdened and distressed
The country is imperilled and another civil
war Is threatened. Indecision and the sup
preston of an honest opinion are criminal
hesitation is perilous-iuaction is ruin. /
have viewed with much concern the aspect
of the political sky, and can discern but one
hope of relief for our troubled PEOPLE. 1t is
N the ratification Of Constitution, Repub-
lica65n form, and the Euccess Of tho Repub.
lican party in the election soon to be held.
The time has come when the people can
no LONGER -aifort to follow, to their utter
ruin, the counsels of those who have SO long.
and so widely misled them. They must
look to their oaon interest and that of the
State. They must take the proper steps to
secure the immediate admission of the State
to her full constitutional relations with the
general government Until this IS done, the
present unsettled, disturbed condition of
public affairs will continue.
The Conservative party of the State, as
recently organized in the city of Raleigh,
Is but coalition Of the disafected disloyal
original Union men, the violent latter-day
war men, and the original secession demo-
Gratis. ExGov. Bragg is Chairman of the
State Executive Committee and Ex-G Gov.
Vance is the noiniuee for Governor, to serve
in case lie is elected, by the consent of a Re-
publican Congress. Will Congress. admit
the State and accept the Constitution, with
Gov. Vance vt Tie head of Conservative
Democratic State Government? Does any
hne iypaose dat Congcess will accept the
offer
The Conservative party of the State is
most unfortunately composed, and presents
at this time prominent point of departure
Tor many who formerly opposed the princi-
rl,s of tliv Republican party. There are but
lew men Of true Union record who can
stand In the ranks with ultra, original
secessionists. In putting forth their State
ticket, they can have no hope, that, were
the Constitution ratified by the people
and their ticket successful, they would
be allowed TO administer the affairs of the
government. They are aware that the
ELECTION of that ticket would force Con-
gress to reject the Constitution offered and
refuse to admit the State. But their object
is too apparent to be mistaken. 1t is
simply to defeat the ratification of the
Constitution and the admission of the
State. Suppose this should be done, what
would be the consequence? Tie people
will be taxed 10 pay the expenses of the
present Convention, a sum of nearly $780,
900, without deriving any benefit whatever
therefrOm. Another reconstruction act, Ger
tainly less agreeable than the present one,
will be proposed by Congress The State,
at an expense of probably another $4,000,
must call this Convention, when the State
may be restored in manner less acceptable
to most OF the people than the present. In
the meantime, the present unsettled condi-
ton of affairs Will continue and the people
be still heavily taxed to support the taoo
present State governments, both civil and
military. Can any one hesitate? Will the
people be longer duped and deceived q
Shall appeals to the passions and preju-
dices-the argument Of demagogues, to
strengthen a weak cause-be listened to
1t was just such appeals that involved the
country in civil war and brought general
ruin. Or will they rather reflect and act
calmly, placing their own interest ahead of
that of few hungry politicians?
Leaving the principles and the men of the
two parties entirely out of the question, as
new matter of policy, shall the Constitution
be rejected, or what will amount to the same
thing shall the Conservative ticket he cleo
ted-shall We blinttly follow the counsels of
the Conservative leaders, heap upon our
shoulders heavier taxation, and force Con-
gress TO seYerer legislation, or slsallfwe con
suit our og0li interest, and elect the Republi-
can ticket2
With the views above presented. I feel
bound TO, and now do, declare my determi-
nation to take my stand in the ensuing cam
paign boldly in the ranks of the strong Re-
publican Party of North Carolina.
have the honor to be, &C..
Fl. B. GUTHRIE.
Chapel Hill, March 4, 1868.