The Hillsborough recorder., 1870-11-30

respectfully to ask the publication of this
communication,
| Soon after the commencement Of the mi-
litary outrages In the county Of Aamance,
and few days befurc the then threatened
outrages which afterwards occurred in Cas-
well, the Hon. Giles Mcbane called upon
me and said he had heen in Alamance and
conyersed with number Of the citizens of
Caswell also. and that general wish was
expressed that Governor Graham and my
self should proceed to Washington and rep
resent to the President the true condition Of
this. pertion Of the country. A few days
afterwards, at very large meeting Of citi-
zens, at yanceyville, this request was un-
animously concurred in by the friends of
peace and order. Kinks troops having ar
rived the same day and having perpetrated
the grossest outrages. In this state of
things, Immediately prepared to leave for
1 Washington, earnestly hoping to DO joined
BY Gov. Graham, gentleman whose high
character and distinguished public service
/. entitle him to 50 much weight, in any capa-
city he may be called to act. and much re-
gretted. that imperative public duties pre-
vented his cooperation. Having reached
Washington late in the evening, and learn
| ing from the newspapers, that the President
intended leaving next morning, deterlnin-
ed at once to call on him that night,
which did about eight o'clock. and being
out Of Office hours, doubted if would be re-
eeiyed my card, however was responded to
i favorably. After the usual situations K
opened the subject of my visit. which he
listened to. .attentiyely and courtcously, the
conversation continuing for some time after
wards. soon however. perceived that vc-
Try erroneous impressions had been made on
his mind, in regard to the true state Of
things in Caswell and Alamance, and that
any effort to remove them would be una
yailing. The particulars of this couycrsa-
tion | will not lengtheh this communica-
tion by detailing. Sufficient to say. that
4 there was d marked difference between my
views Of constitutional liberty and those Of
the President 1t is proper 70 add, that be
consented to the request made through me
by tie citizens of Caswell. for the United
States troops to remain. ,hea stationed there !;
it was believed that they would be a pro-
lection to the people Of the county, as It so
resulted, and | will take the occasion to
say, that their conduct was highly honora-
Die aud gentlemanly, leaving yer j fayOra-
bic impression on our citizens.
In connection with this subject, / will say,
that much misrepresentation has gone
abroad, in reference to the citizens of this
county, regarding certain acts Of violence
committed some time since, in its limits
81 far from having sanctioned them. they
met with strong and most decided condem-
nation by the great mass Of the citizens.
For more than half ccntary past. the
, Court records will compare favorably with
any county in or out Of the State--the couli-
ty often having received complimentary no
tice from the Judges who presided over its
Courts.
1t is bu. simple act Of justice to myself
and ssgss @as. Vti9atsls ly assosistsa with
all suitable occasions, in private conyersa-
tiOns and public addresses declared for the
} Observance Of law aud order and denounced
lawlessness and all secret societies, having
for their object breach Of the peace, as
dangerous to society and republican govern.
ment.
: Again, in connection with this subject,
) | will further remark, that the suspension
] Of that great writ Of right, the .Lti,eus cor
pus,' regard as the most dangerous result
Of all others, on the liberty Of the citizens.
President Madison even during the war Of
1912 with Great Britain, assailcd BY land
} and sea as we were By that formidable pow
, er aided by her Red Allies, with the fhrca-
tened secession Of the New England State,
and strong British sympnthies ii many 81
the States, North and South. did not call
on Congress 10 suspend the writ u LuJeus
corpus. The late gallant General Jessnp.
50 distinguished in the Canada campaign,
informed me that during the sitting Of the
Hartford Convention in lSil--She wal
. then going on--hc was confdeniially de-
) spatched By Mr.. Madison 70 observe their
: movements and If any overt act had been
committed. that il was the purpose of Pre-
sident Madison 70 put the eifil law against
treason, in force and IL it could not be en-
forced, then, to call the military in aid ol
; it. Fortunately. no overt act was commit
ted. This shows the views Of one Of ouI
ablcst and purest Statesmen. IL il pow
or that Do not believe should be given
to any Executive in any Constitution either
in peace or war. except as applicable e
those in the military service. While full
\ yigor should be given to the federal govern
ment, yet too much centalization Is dan
gerous aud the reserved rights Of the State,
should be respected. Our federal system,
is the best ever devised BY the wisdom d
man, IL properly carried out.
The noble and patriotic sentiments. vhicl
we learn from authentic sources. we're ut.
' tered by the late emincntly distinguished
: General Lee, recommending the cessation
: Of sectional prejudices, the cultivation of
/: spirit Of harmony and Cancellation, saying
o that we should recollcct that we are nov
4 vi