The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-10-30
O .oBER l6, 1871


IutE Ol IL. IL was 81 ICSdluCu Ny oil Uuc
ueople. Like the ancient Blazing Cross in the
Highlands, the simple intelligence of Lin
coIn's ~war-call, spreading from hill top to
hin top, Ger lowland and highland, as fash
cd on the wires, or sped by the train, or
borne by the numbering coach, stirred spon-
taneous flames of patriotic wrath which de-
handed instant and eternal separation. A
few incidents will illustrate the startling
change. Hon. u. B. Vance, the Union
candidate for reelection to Congress, was
sneaking at Marshall, when the fatal news
arrived. Quitting the stand, he fastened
70 Asheville, Iaised a company in four days,
and within four more days was crossing the
Rlue Ridge for the scene of action. My
brother, at Rutherfordton, was advocating
moderation and peace when thus also called
to take the sword, and go forth, never to re-
At the other end of the State, the Union
Rooner. stoutly for the Union in one half Of
;+s columns, breathed hot defiance of the
Lincolnites in the other half, former
HAVING been put in type before the news was
received. So with the Fayetteville Observer,
whose last Union issue had not reached all
of its subscribers ere the editors were en-
cared with a thousand of their cOunty-men
p forcing the surrender of the Federal arse
nal garrisoned by 60 men, and containing
oS0 0O stand of arms. So, too, with the
RALEIGH Standard, whose editor (W. w.
Holden had but recently been elected to the
Convention as a Unionist. Two pages of
the issue of April 18th are tiercely Cnlonls-
tic. and denunciatory of the secesslonlSts
the remainder is outspokenly defiant OF Lin
coin. and his cohorts.
Although as yet nomlnally IN the Union,
the people with a common impulse, began to
arm for battle. Every county had from two
to six companies in process OF organization.
The roll of the drum %resounded IN the streets
Of every town and village. Within half a
dozen hours after Lincoln's proclamation
was received, the forts at Beaufort, and the
mouth of the Cape Fear, had been garrison
ed bv volunteer troops and kilograms were
crowding the wires to tender companies
from all parts of the State.
Fort Macon, at Beaufort, was occupied on
Monday by volunteers from New Berne and
Goldsboro: Forts Johnson and Caswell, by
four Wilmington companies, under captains
Stevenson. DeRosset, Meares, and
yollers: Col. J. l.. Cantwell commanding.
Mai. w. NJ. H. G. Whiting was assigned to
take charge of the State Coast Detences.
On the 10Th, a steam-tug chartered by the
Federals to aid in Fox's scheme at Sumpter,
put in at %Smithville, and was taken IN by
our men-the first prize OF war. Large
meetings held at Charlotte, Raleigh, Fay
e~tteville, Chapel Hill, and elsewhere, were
addressed by prominent citizens who four
Union. like DR.. G.. j. Fox, David l.. Swain,
Geo. L. Badger, w. w. Holden, Henry w.
Miller, Daniel G. Fowle, Kemp p. Battle,
S. T. Phillips, +. j. Hale, and very many
Others. Said the venerable President OF the
University (ex-Gov. Swain 1--WE
Mr.. Lincoln many thanks for melting the
hearts of our people, hitherto differing In
their judgments, into one heart. he must
now be met at the border, and told by the
muskets breath that treemen cannot be
bayonetted into obedience" Mr.. Badger
who might be said to have been saturated
with Unionism, promptly declared to the
friends that came crowding to his bedside
we must fight; there Is no alternative. \
Camp Of instruction was formed at Raleigh,
under Maj. D. H. Hill, and seven full compa-
MES reported within three days:
President Davis telegraphed to Gov. FL
lis his great Joy and thankfulness' for the
patriotic spirit Of the North State. Little
did he conceive there would come a day.
scarce three years hence,-when this slow
moving people would stand as the last prop
Of the falling Confederacy.
y TO TWO
Upon reception OF Lincoln's proclamation,
the Confederate government decided to ac-
cept $1,000 volunteers, less than half the
number called for by their adversary,-and
10 Issue Letters Of Marque, and Reprlsals,
authorizing private armed vessels to cruise
against the Federal commerce. This pro-
c:lamation Was designed mainly to alarm the
influential class OF Northern ship-owners.
and exporters. who would be bankrupted if
4 score or two Of priyateers were turned
loose like hungry hawk, amid their coyeys
o1 Wh~lte-wingcd merchant vessels. 1t was
remembered that during the war of 1872
H. the Yankee shippers and shippers
4Io"!!ed 50 t%earfully over their losses from
me interruption Of that all New
LnsIIand became rebellious; as was shown
" me Hartford Secession Convention which
TToOd have undoubtedly borne fruits had
'"g war continued another year.
Tie leading Northern papers evinced a
IkEIE T. - III