The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1869-08-25
Test Oaths,

We have no quarrel with the Raleigh Standard
when it shall abandon its tests of 'loyaltyn
and unite with the people of the State upon
platform of universal amnesty and universal sui.
frage. i,
The Raleigh Standard is edited with great
ability, we are free to confess, and its strength is
added to by the unfortunate and unreasonableop.
position maintained by the conservative presses
of the State against President Grant and his ad.
ministration. Frankness and justice would de.
mand that they should be fairly judged by Their
measures. We see no reason why they are not
entitled to an honest and fair support Tho
President is the hope of Virginia-let not bo
people OF North Carolina fall into the mistako
of supposing they can accomplish any good and
desirable end, while arrayed against the only in.
fuence upon which the South must depend for
her prosperity, progress and tranquility.
3 And we have no quarrel with the Day B9OE
nor dove desire one. Too much newspaper
quarreling has already been done, and every
business interest of the South has suffered
in consequence. We do not wish to quarrel
with any paper, although we are at all
times willing to discuss political questions,
We wish to see political discussions be
as to the best means of benefting the people
and regaining our former prosperity-nOt
alone to the end of denouncing our politi
cal opponents
We believe that the triumph of the So
called Democratic doctrines will injure the
interests of the South and place it in au
attitude hostile to the general government
Hence we oppose them and warn the PEG
pie of their evil consequences.
We warn the people against trusting the
Democratic leaders.
Why?
Not because we do not think well Of and
respect them as men, but because we are op-
posed to the principles with which they
would seek to govern the country.
We may respect and esteem men whose
political beliefs we know to bewrong.
But we are unwilling to see them in office
because we do not believe they would gov
ern rightly. ST.,
| We do not, however, wish to prevent them
from holding Office by the passage of diSab-
ling laws. We wish to defeat them only by the
votes of people, who condemn their politl,
cal opinions. .-.-.
Hence we are oppc ed to the test oath
and to all DISTINGUISHING laws.
The war is past.
If the government had wished to punisl
those who rebelled against it, it should have
done so Immediately that the rebellion was
subdued.
1t should have punished the leaders-th
men who inaugurated the rebellion.
This the government did not do.
It punished no one for the crime of trea
son.
| Four years have elapsed since the close G
the war. The majority of the States latcl
in rebellion have been re-admitted to til
| Union. Their citizens have the same right
as the citizens of other States.
| 1t is now too late to inaugurate punish
ments for crimes committed so long ago.
Then there should be no test oaths, 4
acknowledgements, for the government, By ii
own action, has virtually declared that trca
son shall not be punished.
| Thus the Day Book can see that we favo
no "tests" of loyalty, in the shape of tie
oaths, &C. The only test of loyalty in whc
| we have confidence is the test Of action
men act in good faith toward the COVER
ment and endeavor to strengthen it, "
| know they are loyal.
If they act in opposition to the govern
ment and scoff at its authority, and at til
flag, we would not believe such men loyal
they took thousand oaths.
| By the conservative press" OF Mort
Carolina, We suppose the Day Book mca.
the radica, Democratic sheets, as they &
the only papers in the State which ''mai
tain an unfortunate and unreasonable opp
sition against President Grant and his a
ministratlon."
| We agree with the Day Book that the a
ministration is entitled to an honest and f,
F support, and we call the attention Of Q
people to the good advice given in t
closing paragraphs of the Day Books artic
| It comes from North Carolinian.
In conclusion. we say to the Day Book I'll
we are willing to unite with all good m
in carrying out the principles of univer
suffrage and general amnesty. But tho
with whom we act must be loyalto the Gc
eminent. O. .tH
With the enemies of the Government
| will have no terms. ~
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