The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-24
GOVERNOR W. W. HOLDEN.
An Interview with the Governor
After Impeachment.
he Regards His Impeachment as Party Mea-
sure-How 1t Could Have Been Defeated in the
House Candid Opinion Of the Legislature
Effsot o. Impeachment Among the Colored
People-The Ku Klux Still Rampant.

RALEIGH, N. c., Dec. q, 1870.
Governor Holden quietly and cOurteously surren-
dered his once yesterday to Lieutenant Governor
Caldwell ana Z acefuly retired, exempt for the
time beng from Executive cares but which are now
supplaned by the more weighty tribulatlons OF the
pending knOtiy impeachment trial. One would sup
pose that after the summary proceedings or yester
day the Governor would nave little relish for the
Executive Department or even the Capitol building
IN wnch II Is located; but NOT so. As walked into
the Capitol thus morning nearly the nrst person
saw was Governor Holden emerging from
the Executive oncc he passed rapidly
across the hall and entered another onlce,
which, on inspection. found to be the Trea-
surer's oAlce. The conclusion at once suggested
Itself that the Governor, alive to business, set
Ting up his accounts VITA the State OF North Caro-
llnn and probably getting paid whatever ''stampsn
were due HIM 10 the Goth inst Returning shortly
afterwards l met him In the same hallway, still
hovenng the Executive oaice az IL 1t possessed
q peculiar sort OF fascination; but CLERK shortly
afterwar IL emerged from the Treasurer's Office and
handed him what ! imagined to be check for
balance due. saluted the Governor and he shook
Inc warmly by the hand. Instead or finding him
depressed, he was spIlghtly, cheerful. and quite
communicative and a brief conversation followed,
which was frequently interrupted by persons who
stopped 10 SHAKE hands with the Governor and
make some commonplace remark.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 1 would like to nave
talk with you II 1t Is convenient and you have no
objection.
the slightest objection But You understand the
peculiar position III which l am placed, and, OF
course, you Will not touch upon particular subject
GOyERNoR-Yes, sir.
CoRREsPoNDENT-As far as that is concerned
merely wish 10 know II You re gard ig as u party
measure, or III what light you do regard it
GovERNoR-Well. 1T looks us II It was a party mea.
sure, IRON the We'll known political procvltes OF the
men who inau-urated II, who ciamOred Tor 1t, and
the men who voted Tor 1t IN the House OF Represen-
tatives If II had been vigorously fought by my
friends In the House 1t could have been defeated
there. Seven republican members dld not yOte
ana there are number OF democrats who were only
whipped INTO It's support by the party lash.
Had our 1u .Orce been present ana q proper ghJ
made we would have trumphed over the demo.
cracy and nippea this their ivorte scheme, In the
have the highest respect for both branches OF the
General Assembly, but in my peculiar position am
not III liberty TO express my ideas and opinions.
CORRESPONDENCE hardly think they will be able
parties.
GoyEHNOR-I can't say, Sir.
CoBRESI0NDENT-Wha is your opinion as to the
course OF the present Legislatures
GoVERNoR-My opinion Is tnat they intend to
overthrow all republican government and obtain
possession Of every Office, from constable up. The
na nrs ao ars aesEnag am
they Will halt ut natning to gain their ls whether
by fraud, Intimidation, or, these failing, violence to
colored men ~ prevent them exercising the right Of
the franchise
CoRnEs 9oNDENT-Do you think it possible for the
republican party to retrieve It's fortunes IN this
Slater
GovERNoR-Yes sir; not only possible, but almost
certain. We VIII carry the convention tnat Is to be
called by the Legislature. The Dill has already
passed one house. The republican party In North
Carolina were never more thoroughly aroused than
they are now They see their rights, liberties and
even their freedom are at stake particularly the CO.
lored people VINO are already preparing Tor the con-
1iict in downright earnest We are determined TO
Than IA al Va eholl in tnrra md
cast our ballots, and If we are resisted we shall
force our way to the polls Mind, sir we shall not
employ nor inaugurate force but we are determined
TO exercise our rights cost what it may.
CoRREsPoNDENT--Wha has been the effect OF your
among tle , Sel9r ns sv T.
put has ad HIS s f 81 70 have DAY 81
fasting. humiliation and prayer and everybody
acquainted with the character OF the coored man
knows that such all expression OF his feelings comes
IRON deep.seated and heartfelt convictions. they
feel my loss because they had looked up to me as
their protector; because they knew that ] was
sincere in all aid In their behalf, and because they
knew had made great sacrifices to see that justice
POLITICALLY opposed to me-ay, who hate me poitl-
cally-wiil DO me the justice TO say that ain sincere
III all do; that what have done has been from an
honest conviction Of right, truth and justice.
CoRREsPONDENT-Are there now any organized
political bodies IN the state resisting either tao State
or national authority?
GOvERNoH-Yes Sir; the same unlawful organi-
cations still exist ana before their partial suppress
sion by me in Alamance and Casweli. They still
hold Their midnight meetings, go on their midnight
RAIDS mold their secret and inyls bic councils and
all respects remain intact as they were before.
Until these infamous organizations are broken up
we can never have peace, and If the democracy are
allowed to triumph at the next elections they will
attribute it to the agency OF these organizations,
and the consequence will be that colored men will
have no rights IN future IN North Carolina. There
will be no security for ile property or person in the
State.
CoRREsPoSDENT-Do you think your military
movement last summer injured the republican
party in the slater
GoyERNoR-Onl YES; injured 1t materially IN the
last elections. Had it not been for that we would
have been far more successful We might have
carried the Legislature and a majority OF the Con-
gressiona delegation. should have moved In that
matter much earlier than ] dld-two months
sooner-but thai dreaded the shock, and | had to
lnaugurate 1t by degrees that the elections were
upon US when was fully under way with the
llanded it, and the blood OF murdered republicans
cred aloud for 1t. DID the HERALD publish the
opinion OF Judge Bond, Of The United States Circuit
Court, when he released Kirk and BurglnY
CoaRESPoNDENT-Not that am aware OF.
GovEENoR--Well, 1t ought to nave been extern
siyely published. II was an able document, and
he fully sustained me in what had DONE He
sad that the insurrectonary condition OF the two
sad The same thing in letter he wrote to Pre-
sdent Grant In relation TO the leaders OF the late
belton, whom he declared were at the mercy OF
President Johnson, who could have executed the
last one OF them If he thought proper.
CoRnEspoNDENr-Hayc there been any oufrages
OF political nature since the release Of the alleged
ku-AlGX IL Aianallce and Caswel?
GOVERNOR Yes, sir; numerous outrages. In
Chatham county some hali dozen c0lored men
were cruelty whipped and scourged a short time
since, and when they applied for redress and sum-
moned witnesses both themselves and witnesses
were driven from the county, In cleveland county
several coored men have been beaten ana mangled,
and even In Alnlansce and Caswell there have been
coiored men whipped at midnight recently by dis
gused white rullans Outrages OF this kind are
Still frequent and they will continue SO until the
ku-KldX organizations are broken up
CoRREsPoNDENT-What Is your opinion OF the re-
cent motion OF Senator Morton, asking for intorma
ton in relation to such Outrages in this state 7
GOVERNOR Wen, l can't exactly say. There ts q
widespread interest throughout the country at pre-
sent IN relation 10 affairs in North Carolina In
fact the State Is at present national spectacle and
1t was nOIhing more than natural that Senator Nor
ton, who Is one OF the leading republican Senator'S
IN Congress, should ask for such information
What his ultimate object may be 1t is lmpOs-
sble to say---,hat viii only be developed by time and
transprlng events.
This enCed our conversation, which was mere per-
manenty interrupted by Judge, who seized the
Governor )y the hand and held Iorcible possession
OF it, wished to ascertain from his own lips what
were his views with regard to the admission or eX-
Governor vance 70 the Senate, intimate friends oil
the Goyertor state unreservedly that he has ire