The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1869-06-16
Messrs Helper and Greeley versus the
North Carolina Legislature.

1
what tart reply to the article in the STAN
DARD requesting the Tribune to correct the
Misrepresentation of Mr.. FL. r. HELPER
concerning the Legislature of North Caro-
lima. We do not intend to reply to MIR.
GREELEY in the same style as that in which
he writes, as we can make allowance
for his crabbedness. knowing that he
has been severely irritated lately by
several of his more agile opponents.
His late contest with the lady writers
of the Revolution must have severely tried
his temper, the more so as the strong
minded rather got the best OF the skirmish.
For this and cognate reasons we make al
lowances for the ill-temper so manifest in. his
reply to the STANDARD. We feel obliged,
however, to call the attention OF our veneer
able friend to few errors which ne makes
in his reply to the STANDARD. In the first
place, we never charged the Tribune with
making an attack upon North Carolina
We did find fault with it for allowing such
sweeping Misrepresentation of the Legls-
lature of this State to be published in its
columns by person who disliked the State
government from personal reasons. "'The
art of journalism" in New York must I've
sadly on the decline if tue Editor of the 1ri-
5une cannot comprehend so plain state
ment as that of the STANDARD. We do not
wish to enlarge upon this point, however,
as his obtuseness may not be the result
of intention but the effect of old age.
Whether Mr. Helper wrote his " exhaustive
expose" at Mr.. Greeley's request, or at the
dictation of his own sweet will, has no prac-
tical bearing in the case, and the fact is of
no considerable Importance to any one.
That Mr.. HELPER wrote what he chose to
write, we also are not inclined to doubt.
So long as MIR. HELPER confined himself to
industrial, agricultural and similar themes
it was not improper for the Tribune TO pub
lish his views, but when he enters upon pO-
litical subjects, and takes the occasion to
crafty his personal spites by assailing the
character of the legislative body of this
State, we are of the opinion that the Tribune,
which wishes to be considered the organ of
q great party, would show much more good
sense by refusing to spread broadcast such
vile calumny even if the authors name should
happen to be attached thereto. In this case
the Tribune simply allows itself to he made
the means by which Mr.. Helper endeavors
to crafty his petty malice.
The Tribune also shows its ignorance of
North Carolina politics by saying it is
"quite aware that Mr. Helper is at odds with
the State administration of North Carolina"
The Tribune mis-states the case. The admin
istration of North Carolina is not at odds
with Mr.. HELPER any more than it is at odds
with any other Democrat. But while the State
administration is not disposed to assall Mr..
HELPER, and regards him as Union man,
his hatred to and depreciation of the color
ed race must,i any event forbid any connec-
ton between himself and the State admin
istration. The Republican party of North
Carolina is pledged to the doctrine of
Equal Rights for All Men" and has al
ways and will always be consistent thereto
in all its actions. Therefore, while it has
no desire to wage war upon Mr.. HELPER,
even were he of sufficient importance to
warrant it, it cannot be in sympathy with
man who has no regard for the rights of the
colored man.
In conclusion, we will inform our esteemed
contemporary that the Republican rulers
of North Carolina" can stand such criti-
cism as Dir. HELPERS" without being at all
affected thereby, but that is no reason that
the Tribune should lend its large circulation
to assist MIR. HELPER in assaiing it. Neither
can his trade be considered as criticism.
To criticise is to praise the good and con-
denim the meretricious. This Mr.. HELPER
does not do, but makes wholesale charge
of imbecility and corruption, which the Tri-
dane with complaceucy that cannot but
command admiration, kindly undertakes to
spread broa beast over the Union. That the
Legislature itself at all takes to heart the
backguardism of Mr. HELPER, we do not
for moment suppose. 1t is composed of
men who have battled too long against the
giant Wrong to now care for the attacks of
the pigmy Malice. There are men in that
legislature who have records of which Mr..
GREELEY himself might be proud, and which
in constant devotion to the Union. far sur
pass his own. When, in 1861, Mr.. GREE
LEY's pacific nature turned in alright from
the contest which he saw was coming, and
he said, "Letthe Southern States go in peace"
many of the men who now compose the
North Carolina Legislature, were battling
for the preservation of the Union at the peril
of their lives. When he shrunk appalled, at
the mere thought of conflict in which he
knew he would be a non-combatant, THEY
were daring every peril and submit ting to
every hardship that they might save that
Union which Mr.. Greeley was prepared to
abandon. The suferings of many OF these
men during the four long years of the war
can hardly be conceived. Still they faltered
not in their devotion to their country. Yet
these are some of the men whom Mr.. Hinton
Rowan Helper takes it upon himself TO
malign, with the assistance of the Tribune.
We would suggest to the Tribune that it
may put its spare space and talent to
much better use than to attacking the
State administration of North Carolina, or