The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1869-03-10
The Ritte, Lessop.

hoheet, uaru-WOIklHS cltlztus OI ithlS tctate
have been taught by the terrible experience
of the past eight years that the maxim,
| spoken, we believe, by Thomas Jefferson,
External vigilance is the price of liberty is
one which should ever be borne in mind.
The people of North Carolina, although
| they have been behind those of other States
in improvements and educational advantages
have been proverbially honest. They were
wont to put confidence in class of men
who at last betrayed them The masses in
this, State were opposed to secession and
war. The vote they gave in February, 1861,
shows this. A large majority were unwil-
| ling to rebel because of the election of Abra-
ham Lincoln. But they were ruled by an
odiousa oligarchy of shareholders. True,
many of this class were opposed at first
to the rebellion, but they were linden
titled with system which all candid
and intelligent men know, and will con-
TESS, led to war and bloodshed. The masses,
goaded on by few Infatuated leaders in
treason, plunged into rebellion against one
of the 'best governments that ever laid its
silken laws on man." They fought against
the flag which had been honored by all
nations before many of them were born.
They raised their hands. Cain-like, against
their own kinsmen. But they have suffered
severely. Many who survived the shock of
1>o&@ I, for
They are impoverished Many loved ones
are gone. Not only on the field of carnage
were lives lost but many precious lives were
shortened by the grief and troubles entailed
by war. The innocent have suffered as well
as the guilty. Many homes have become
desolate on account of the folly and wicked
ness of few men. The sin of oppression is
one aohicA aoiN be punished. Our great nation
al sin slavery was one of enormous magni-
tude. 1t is almost impossible for one raised
and educated where it existed to see it in all
of its enormity. 1t was hoary with age.
Men and women had got TO believing that it
was of divine origin. At any rate, they de-
clared this as their belief But the time
came when this stupendous system of I'M
guilty had to fall. The madness of men de-
creed that it should be wiped out in blood.
We all know the result. 1t seems almost as
| dream. Eight short years ago men were
I considered chattels, now they are eligible to
! hold Office. But we are not endeavoring to
impress the idea that this is portion of the
SPLITTER lesson" which has been learned. We
look upon this as one of the benefcent re-
suits Of the troubles through which we are
passing. We are being taught that in order
to prosper and have the favor of Deity we
must do justice and love mercy. Had we
done these things long ago, we might, pro-
probably, have ayerted many of the evils
which we have suffered.
But better day is dawning. Already
light begins to break through the thick
darkness. Our people are looking about to
see what is to be done to retrieve the past,
and mend broken fortunes. They will here
after work more intelligently. They will
pillow deeper, raise better stock, build better
houses and have better schools. True, old
feuds will not soon be forgotten, and preju-
dices of race and color will exist for some
time. But these will eventually fade away
before the light OF intelligence and higher
civilization. Some will fret and pine over
the .'lost cause" but their grandchildren
will be astonished when they learn that
their ancestors were so long welded to
an incubus which paralyzes the energies OF
any people True, public affairs do not
seem to move smoothly at present, but this
is not to be wondered at. Those who for
melly ruled have been fully tried and found
wanting, and class, to a great extent
inexperienced. have to manage the govern.
ment of the State. That mistakes should
occur is natural But the PEOPLE, the
real rulers, will eventually bring order out
of chaos. They are ever seeking for the
best men. Let them adopt and carry out
the saying of Goodwin Smith. Send ca
pacity to the 'front.'" and all may yet be well
Capacity, coupled with integrity and faith
fulness, will in due time render our beloved
old State delightful place to dwell in
where all the people can, if they will, b.
f prosperous and happy.