Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-12-30
From the N. 7. Herald.
GOVERNOR w. w. HOLDEN.
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE GOVMRNOR
AFTER ImPEACHMENT,

He Regards His Impeachment On Party
meaaurc-How It Could Have Been DE-
tented In the House-A Candid Opinion
OF the LegtsIaturs-Eneet OF Impeach-
ment Among the COIorod PeOple-The |
E<u ExIux Still Rampant.
RALEIGH, n. O., Dec. 81, 1870.
Governor Holden quietly and courteous.
Iy surrendered his Office yesterday to Lieu |
tenant 9 Governor Caldwell. and gracefully |
retired, exempt for the time being from
Executive cares, but which are now sup
planted by the more weighty tribulations
of the pending knotty impeachment trial.
One would suppose that after the summa-
ny proceedings of yesterday the Governor
would have little. relish for the Executive
Department, or even the Capitol building
in which it is located; but not Sc. AS [
walked into the Capitol this morning near
ly the first person I saw was Governor
Holden emerging from the Executive
Office. He passed rapidly across the hall
and entered another Office, which, on in
spection, I found to be the Treasurer's
office. The conclusion at once sugg sted
itself that the Governor, alive to business,
of North Carolina, and probably getting
paid whatever "stamps were due him
to the goth inst. Returning shortly after
wards / met him in the same hallway, still
| lowering rear the Executive Office, as if it
possessed peculiar sort of fascination;
but clerk shortly afterwards emerged
| from the Treasurer's Office and handed
him what Imagined to be a check for
balance due. / saluted the Governor, and
he shook me warmly by the hand. In
stead of finding him depressed, he was
sprightly, cheerful, and quite cOmmunica-
tive, ana brief conversation followed,
which was frequently interrupted by per-
sons who 81 opped to shake hands with the
| Governor aud make some commonplace
remark
Corresponden-Gov would like
to have IL talk with you if it is convenient
and yon have no objection.
Governor-Quite convenient, sir, and l
have not the slightest objection. But you
understand the peculiar position in which
I am placed, and, of course, you will not
touch upon particular subject.
Correspond mean impeach-
menu?
Goyernor-Yes. sir
Corr spondent-As far as that is con-
cerned 1 merely wish to know if you re.
gard it as Il party measure, or In what
light you do regard 1t
Governor-Well it looks rs If it was Il
party measure, from the well known po-
} litical proclivities of the men who inaugur-
ated it, who clamored for it, and the men
who voted for it in the House of Repre-
sentatives If it had been vigorously
!; fought by my friends in the House it could
have been defeated there. Seven repubE-
can members did not vote, and there are q
number of democrats who were only whip
} ped into it's support by the party LASH
, Had our full force been present and a
: proper fight made we would have
triumphed over the democracy and nip
As the 10 ouuato Lave 11oth1ng to say.
have the highest respect for both branches
Of the General Assembly, but in my Pc
culiar position am not at liberty to ex-
, press my ideas and opinione,
: Correspondent-I hardly think they will
be able tocOnvict as the Senate now stands
with regard to parties.
Governor-I can't say, sir.
!, Correspondent What is your opinion
l as to the course Of the present Legisla-
ture ,
; Governor-My opinion is that they in
4 tend to overthrow all republican govern
ment and obtain possession OF every othce'
8 iority are designing and unscrnpulcus
! where Office and public plumber are con-
, cerned. They will halt at nothing to gain
9 their ends whether by fraud, intimida-
s ton, or, these failing, violence to colored
y men TO prevent them exercising the right
? of the franchise.
L Correspondent-Do you think it posi-
: fortunes in this State
. GovernOr-Yes, sir not only possible.
n but almost certain. We will carry the
convention that is to be called by the Leg
f islature. The bill has already passed one
/. house. The republican party IN North
a Carolina were mover more. thoroughly
d aroused than they are now. They sec
o their rights, liberties and even their free
il dom are at stake, particularly the coloreo
l. people, who are already preparing for tho
l. conflict in downright earnest. We are de
termined to go to the polls and vote. W.
10 shall go in force and cast our ballots anc
q if we are resisted, We shall force our way
TO the polls Mind, sir, we shall not en-
9 ploy nor inaugurate force, but we are do
l. terminGd to exercise our rights; cost VIVA
|. it may.
= Correspondent-Whn has been the eff
b feet of your impeachment among the col
n ored people
l. GoVernor-Why, sir, they are cast dowl
by it, but it has had the effect Of arousln:
It them. Already, I understand, they ar
s preparing to have day of fasting, humlI
Ie iation and prayer. and everybody &C
Or quainted with the character of the colore'
70 man knows that such an expression or III
/, feelings comes from deep-seated and heart
r felt convictions. They feel my loss becaus
thew had looked up to me as their protec
b tor because they knew that was SINGER
& in all I did in their behalf, and becaus
they knew that had made great sacrifice
p to see that justice was done them. Eve
n those people who are politically oppose
in to me-ay, who hate me politically
& do me the justice to say that am SINGER
le in all do; that what have done has bee
l. from an honest conviction OF right, trut
and justice.
e. Correspondent-Are there now any or
le ganized political bodies in the State resist
a. ing either the State or national authority
Governor-Yes, sir; the same unlawfu
es organizations still exist as did before thei
n Caswell. They still hold their midnigh
meetings, go on their midnight raids, hoi
b. their secret and invisible councils, and i
or all respects remain intact as they were be
q. fore, Until these infamous organization
orc broken M We can never have peace