The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1869-02-03
The Black Flag!


There were propositions made at various
times during the war of secession to raise
the Black Flag. 1t was made by despe-
ATadoes and madmen and was frowned down
by all men of moral courage and christian
sentiment. 1t was banned by all the laws
of civilized warfare and would be TO mau-
kind an evidence that the cause in which it
|was raised had become desperate. Despe-
rate not politically but morally also. The
.war is over-the rapid strides of reorganiza-
'tion are removing the last vestiges of ruin;
and under the hand of industry and thrift
four desolated land is beginning to bloom
with prosperity. The Republican party in
the development of its grand principles is
on every hand awaking activity and invi-
ting enterprise. Confidence is restored
new plans are devised-wealth is rewarding
labor, and on all sides are the evidences
of cheerful comfort taking the place of
want. The forebodings of the desponding
Ind the disappointed are not realized-the
burtful vaticinations of political seers are
seen to be false and the hopes of regain
ing power by their deceitful warnings have
vanished-the ideas of the old slaveocracy
are obsolete-the people refuse to be gulled
by "the talent and respeeta5ility" any lon
4 ger, and the party of political desperadoes
and effete party hacks of every shade having
come to grief, there is impending for them
4 cheerless future that denies them power,
the show of honor or mercenary reward.
4 There remains for them the alternative of
subsection to their doom-going to work,
reforming their lives and becoming respect
4 able men, or in desperation to raise the
black flag and make war on character, de-
cency and truth The decision has been
made and the majority of the press of this
State and the South being subsidized for
this purpose now faunt the black flag in
their columns every week. .5.
That the political warfare in the South
is one of desperation on the part of the
so-called Democratic party is beyond gain
say. Neither can it be denied that so far as
this State is concerned that this policy was
inaugurated at a meeting of Editors favor
i ing that party held in this city before the
recent election. 1t may be true that all are
not equally desperate in their savage warfare
but their is clearest proof of cooperation
Ito the extent named Every day and week
las these sheets are sent over the State they
give proof that no quarter shall be given
to Republicans-being vanquished utterly
and hopelessly in the iield of argument, ig
nored at the ballot box, they turn with de
moniac fury upon the private character of
the men whom they cannot meet in debate
or supplant in the affections of the people.
4 This horrid piratical crusade is without dis
crimination-no age, position or previous
well-eamed character for virtue, intelligence
: Gil piety are spared, all without mercy are
cut down to tne level of infamy and crime.
The purez the previous life of Ttctim the
more ferccious the onslaught-the more pa.
tient, earnest and sacrificing their labor to
build up the bleeding State, the more shame
less the attack upon his probity and motives.
4 Perfectly blind to the fair fame or honor of
the State, no interest is spared-justice is
never meted when itlwould do credit to a
political opponent. 1t is heralded all over
the Union that the native Republicans are
contemplate for stupidity and Vulgarity-
that those who have made this State the
home of their adoption are all miserable
adventures without property and that
both are corrupt and reckless unless,
which is rarely the case, prejudice has
thrown them in with the Democracy.
Where must this uncivilized and unchris-
tan warfare end2 What moral condition
& OF soclety does it proTe9 Must it not appal
the heart, of every man, woman and child in
the State when it is imagined that such men
may get control of the Sts4e? What will
men do 10 the eliys kroperty of a marty
Of their fellow Gil b have made war
upon their charat honor, so much
dearer, under the1l5JFfag of moral and
social oatlaWs9 Can we hope for less than
New Orleans, Camille, Memphis, etc. were
naoe 10 endure at the hands of the very
Class OF men who in this State lately baran-
guea the people, and now vent their fury of
ia N In