The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1870-03-23

This term has at length I.taned another
meaning. II does not now Simply refer to
those who opposed secession, lor to those
who opposed the ConfedcrategoveTnment.
nor to those alone who submitted in good
faith at the Close OF the war, ht its scope is
broader, embracing in its meaing all those
who now believe in and sustain, with heart,
body and soul, the integrity the Union oil
the States. These, are, to dy, the Union
men of North Carolina. "
From the thirty thousand Majority polled
by the Union party in Fcbrury, 1851, there
has been q. woful falling avg. During the
war, sts as varied as til ramifcations
of the Etan labarynth, eniced hundreds
and thousands from the rans of the party,
that had dcclSed that he Union was
their first, their last and their only love.
But to blame them now wald be as useless,
perhaps, as the absurd prises which, from
time to time, Others have gecmed proper to
bcstow upon them. At lie conclusion Of
the struggle, and even dIring its continu'
ance, opposite interests aad convictions al
dcd to the depleted rank Of the Union men
Of this State, many wh1 had yielded too
readily to the storm but so honestly that u
return Ia their alegialcc was easily ana
naturally accomplished. But over all these
distinctions of the past we are inclined TO
cast the veil Of charity.
They renal MS the historical reminls-
nc ,rhigh tlpuUh nm
forgotten are seldom recalled, and II recalled
no longer to the dispangcment of any one,
save him, who still refuses in his heart to
worship at the altar of our common country.
We are all Union men now, both white and
colored, who maintain the Union as it is,
obey its laws and support its Constitu-
ton. The only honors which we seek are
those which are awarded to merit 10y the
voice of the people, speaking through tho
Republican party.
The way to the camp OF the Union men is
narrow and straight Through much toll
and by many hard earpod battles, our hosts
~. !. Gs4s Srr Nag Of the Union
floats, with its stars of fire like the brilliant
eyes of the summer twilight. The watch
word is Peace. The cnuntersign is Grant
And our scntincls are armed with the shield
of Patriotism and the sword ol Truth.
Union men os North Carolina There
can be no appelation more honorable OF
more cndearing Itappeals to every memory
of the past, to every blessing Of the present
and to every inspiring hope of the future
We feel that all who dwell ii this land are
the children of WASHINGTON That to us
belongs the rcnown of succeeding states,
men, and the grand record OF hi tory that
among the nations of earth, nom have thus
| far known, like the land of ou birth, the
| full measure of love that encompasses the
asylum for the oppressed of all n'tionalitics
and all climcs.
Under the dispensation of Em, who
weighs as in a balance the governments OF
| the world, ours seemed to tremlle and
been re.estnblished, and proclaimsI to be
among the strongest, s.rong-amon, the
| best, good, and among the free, of Al the
freest. This is the heritage which tho
Union men have sworn to transmit to heir
posterity.
We make no appeal to those who hayi g
opposed the pcrpctuity OF the Union, ST
cherish in their hearts the gall and bittci
ness ni rebellion, to learn to honor and T,
spcct our institutions and our laws. Vas
maiorities have already declared that thi
shall be- done, and no single turbulent con
spiratnr, like Catalina, combining the wnrs
elements of society for reasonable purposes
can hope to swcrve them from that detcrm
nation. They have said that the law sha
be enforced, even if it takes the whole pow
or Of the nation to enforce it. The natio
is moving now and woe be unto the consp
rator and assassin.
While we may deem it a cause for n
greet that this generation must pass ava
before the last enemy Of the Union perishe
yet to this end it will come. The being
influences ,nf universal freedom have nearl
dispellcd the miasmas of slavery. Day b
day the sun rises on more Union men an
Fewer rebels. They are passing away, 70
| swe power Or This nation dwells in the Low
and confidence of its people-a love whicl
isgrowing and increasing like the volum
of mighty river, bearing on its breast ever
frail bark, that still floats the flag of unsut
dued rebellion, onward and downward I,
swift destruction
|