The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-30
NORTH ClROLIyA POLITICS.


Ing aud Since the Rebelliou-HIs Views on
Public Affairs GeneralIy and State Affairs
In Particular-The State Debt.
WASHINGTON, August Is, 1862
The great moral effect OF the recent elections In Vir-
GINA politics and parties in the South renders the
views Of prominent public men In this section at the
present time interesting throughout the country.
Your correspondent therefore, awaited himself Oh the
opportunity Afforded by recent visit to Raleigh, the
capital OF the State OF North Carolina, to call on
Governor Holden for the purpose OF asceraining his
sentiments pubic AFFAIRS He found the Governor
very anable and communicative. lee does not be-
lieve In logged and obstinate adherence to ex-
poded dead ISSUES, but acts on the principle that
a statesman must keep up with the progress Of
events, II he cannot guide aud control taem.
Your correspondent introduced the converse
ton by remarking IL notice. Governor, that you
have been particularly bonOred by the opposition
paper since my arrival here. which represents that
you were one OF the most prominent nstisators Of
the rebellion IN the state, and supported the doc
trne vi SECESSION and that you only changed your
opinlons when the repelon became a failure.
should like TO be able to present your own account
OF the matter.
GoygRNoa-The information you seek is such as
shall nave pleasure III commun lcating. Like otaer
public men, my acts are open to criticism, and IN
the present temper OF portion OF the southern
people am continually toe subject or m.sreptesen-
tatlon by those who have not yet learned the neces
sty OF yielding to circumstances wlich tney canaot
control. The assertion tnat was an aclve advocate
oil the doctrine OF the rignt OF secession Is eutlrey
unbranded. AS native OF this State always took
warm interest III everything relating to state affairs.
Ally position IN national poltics prior 10 the Waf was
that vi OLD fashioned Jackson democrat That was
party that Always adhered TO tie principles
OF national unity, while II strenuously laDored 10
define and maintain the rights OF local government
in the States, as guaranteed by the constitution.
Wncn secession became imminent, In the early part
lS soV6 o sos SganS Vas th s1r ns
OF the Southern States that seeded. 1t was oaly
after all the others had passed ordinances OF sece5-
that ana my friends yielded 10 the movement,
which now IKE wiirlwind swept everything before
I 1t. Inc secession party was not composed eXcu-
slvely Of democrats Men OF oil shades OF national
politics joined III It, when resistance would have
Ueen certain destruction. When 1t became certain
that tue ordinance OF secession would pass the Union
men had alternative let but TO Ia INTO the cur
rent.
CoRREspoNDrNT-You case, then. was similar to
men III the south, VINO, after opposing secession TO
their utmost felt II to be their duty when opposition
became unayalllng to 20 with their Statesf
GOyERNOk-Exacty so, and felt 1t to be my duty
when the issue OF the war was decided nRainst Us
To lose no time IN accepting the ar6itrameat
OF the sword ana suomit 10 the central govern
ment My honest convictions were always opposed
to the doctrines Of SECESSION and there was an up
parent sacrnce Of principle 1t wa, the result Of
Inc peculiar and preyaiing doctrines OF state
rights forced on men with oay0nets presented to
their breasts
MISREPRESENTATION did you get over the '.lron-
ciad OathS
GovsaNoR--My position on the question was so
(Canby and the authorities at Washington that
was not required 10 take 1t.
CORRESPONDENCE should ike 10 know what
course you pursued during the war.
GOgERNoR-Asl before remarked, when the tor.
rent OF SECESSION swept everything before yielded
10 1t and joined In measures Tor ITS support, but
never believed IN or desired It's success. AS proof
CT this, In 1852 earnestly urged Governor Vance TO
meet Governor stanley at hinstOu aud treat for
peace. l determined 10 seize the hrsG
occasion to OBTAIN peace ON the basis
raj Grant had Sn caunred Vicksburr. '0 toox ooen
grounds In the Standard newspaper for neg0tia-
lions. In two months eighty peace meetings were
held In the State. But III september Of that year
my printing office was sacked by Confederate
troops from Richmond, and the peac, move
was in great personal peril from thus period TIL
General sherman reached Kaleign, being constantly
denounced as LlncOnite and traitor to the con-
federacy. Beng an unconditional Union man,
gladly hailed the incoming OF the Union troops.
Us m 20 CARY 9qs e
Failing IN that, took ground for the Howard
amendment as soon as 1t was adopted. That fahipg
restore the Union, advocated the rec0nstru ton
acts and took open ground for them two months
| before they were passed In 1865 was dcieated
for Governor OF the dsoyai element, aud Ia 1858
elected Tor Jour years by tue loyal vote of The State
by majority OF 10000.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES effect, II any, have the late
elections III Virginia had Oh the pup,ic seltent OF
this St8teY
GovRRNoR-No particular effect for tho reason
that the people or Virginia, by their recent vote,
have simply placed themselves wncre the repubi-
cans OF North Carolina have been from the hrat-
that Is, for allowing every male citizen TO vote THIS
Is what understand by universal suffrage and gen.
eral amnesty. l am glad that Virginia has 80 de.
cided, but 1 regret the mstrumenraites employed
Governor Wells ana hls party would be the pest
guardians OF this and OJier great republican princi
received the support OF a considerable number OF
good citizens; but ne Is under obligations to many
VINO do not love the government and VINO WIN not
Judge Of the Walker tree by its fruits 10 Is Tor
! Congress to decide whether Virginia shall be adj
mitteu or not with the new government just chosen
| CORRESPONDENCE am going TO put what the law
| yers would cali o leading question Are you in
favor OF having all political disabilities removed
from all classes OF persons engaged In the late rebel
| nOnY
litlca rights 10 every man who VIII Ask them.
CORREsfoNDENT-Then you do not favor general
oct OF ob.ivonf
should have their rights restored on application.
general act would not be appreciated by great
| abused by ali such. TIE act OF asking implies SUD-
mission and desire to act up TO the requirements
OF tue constitution and the Union. Such an act OF
Dberay on the part Of the conquerer 80 soon after
great civil war mas never been recorded In history
| They have already peen pardoned. what they now
other Oncea Let those who desire ID do SO ask for
II, and am IN favor OF giving such riaht.
| CoRREsrosDGNT-Are any enectuai efforts being
made to establish SYSTEM OF free schools In the
| states accessible TO the children OF all classess
| Observation-Disclosures and active steps are being
taken 10 establish free pubic schools We have an
| excellent OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Rev. y. $. Ashley,
| formerly or MASSACHUSETTS,. Ho is preparing the
work with zeal aad ability. 1he schools will he
commenced az an cary cay. Tie university Is
reviving and will be sustained. The people Of North
Carolina have always been more DIES oted to the
cause or education than any otDer Stale formerly
siayeh0ldinR. THIS feeling continues, and Win the
aid OF Northern friends, VINO are settling among u.s.
we hope soon 10 have good system of public In
structlon In the state. The children OF the two
VIII have separate schools aud separate universities,
bat the provision will be az iberel and thorough Tor
| the cOl0red as Tor the Whites.
| CORRESPONDENT should like TO know something
about the financial condition OF the State; the rel
tive position, charges the pubic revenue OF the
various KINDS OF securities issued authorized TO
be issued and the effect OF the late decision OF the
supreme Court or the state on such securities.
GoyERNUR-lhe supreme Court has decided that
the debt OF the state, contracted before the rebellion
good. This amounts TO about $Is 100 000 It mas
also decided mat the DEBT Tor unfinished works Is
equally good and That there II no limit to taxation
Tor these debts The latter IL about slB 0D0. The
amount OF appropriations that iell under the de-
cson OF the court ~ So 100000 that IS this debt
invalid and tel The special bonds are at pre-
better Than The old Tor The anecai